Easy Blackstone Smash Burgers

Enjoy juicy, flavorful burgers similar to a classic diner burger with the Blackstone smash burgers recipe. Create thin, crispy-edged patties and choose between one or two patties. You can select a regular hamburger bun, a gluten-free bun, or a lettuce wrap. Create your smash burger your way!

Making Blackstone smash burgers seems so simple because it really is that simple. It starts with good quality ground beef flavored with only salt and pepper and a hot griddle. That is it!

Smash burgers are pressed thin for maximum cooking surface area on the Blackstone grill with a hamburger press. This step is where the magic happens - the Maillard reaction. It is the secret to this juicy smash burger recipe! The Maillard reaction creates that beautiful color on the thin crispy hamburger patty. 

Featured Ingredients

• Ground Beef - I love our Angus beef 90/10 mixture. We get it from a local farmer, and it is delicious.
• Kosher Salt - My favorite salt for cooking. 
• Ground Black Pepper - Keeping it basic yet delicious. 
• American Cheese - I love to get it freshly sliced from the deli. 
• Lettuce - Iceberg brings a lovely crunch and freshness.
• Tomato - Grab a big beefy tomato for beautiful tomato slices. 
• Buns - Brioche buns, Gluten Free Buns, or Lettuce Wraps
• Smash Burger Sauce - Add tasty sauce and take your smash burger to the next level. 

See the recipe card for the exact measurements and complete instructions.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Place thawed beef into a bowl. Add kosher salt and pepper. Using your hands, work in the salt and pepper. Do not overmix your beef. 

Step 2: Using a ⅓ cup measuring spoon or an ice cream scoop, divide the beef into 12 even balls. Do not compress the meat like when making meatballs. Keep the meat as loose as possible so it will be easier to smash. 

Hamburger Bun Options

We love using brioche hamburger buns topped with sesame seeds for that true smashed burger look. Other options include using a potato bun or a regular hamburger bun. Pretzel buns are a fun option too. If you need a gluten-free option, grab your favorite gluten-free bun!

Using softened butter, slather a little butter or a lot - I won't tell, on the top and bottom of the hamburger bun. Place it on the Blackstone griddle and toast until golden brown. This does not take very long, so watch closely. Once toasted, remove and set aside. 

Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of smash burger sauce on the bottom of the toasted bun. It is our favorite burger sauce. Next, add your favorite toppings: mayo, ketchup, mustard, and dill pickles. Add a piece or two of lettuce.  

Next, add your burger patties to the toasted bun. I used two patties for the optimal burger-to-bun ratio, but if you are starving, add three, or on the flip side, you are here just for a taste, use one patty. No judgment. You do what works for you! Top the burger patties with a slice of tomato and then a buttered top bun. If you want to add more smash sauce, nobody will be upset about it. 

Burger Lettuce Wrap

For a gluten-free or low-carb option, serve the homemade smash burgers in a lettuce wrap. Peel off large pieces from a head of iceberg lettuce. You will want three large pieces per burger. This will help hold the burger patties and toppings and add the perfect crunch. Wash and pat dry the lettuce with paper towels. 

Lettuce Wrap Step 1: Over a plate, place a large piece of wax paper. 

Lettuce Wrap Step 2: Top the wax paper with your lettuce pieces. 

Ingredient Substitutions

• Ground Beef - I used a 90/100 mixture, but if you want to use an 80/100 for your beef, that will work too. It will have a higher fat content and be more flavorful and greasier. Pick which option works best for you. 
• American Cheese - If American cheese isn’t your favorite, substitute it with a spicer option like pepper jack cheese. It still has a great melty factor and adds a bit of spice. 
• Iceberg Lettuce - If you want to use a different type of lettuce, butter lettuce or romaine lettuce would be a great option! Both still add a great crunch and would work well for a lettuce wrap. 

Burger Additions

• Bacon - Fry bacon at the same time as you are cooking the smash burgers on the flat top. Slice it in half so it easily fits on top of your smash burgers. 
• Fried Egg - Add a fried egg on top of your smash burger. If you love runny yolks, cook the egg over easy.

FAQs

Blackstone Tools

We love cooking on the Blackstone. It is so much fun to cook on an outdoor griddle. Cooking outside, depending on the weather - high 90-degree F heat plus humidity, unexpected visitors - i.e. wasps, makes life interesting. No matter what, it is always worth it! 

• Blackstone - We have a 36-inch Blackstone, but you do not need a large Blackstone cooking surface to make smash burgers since you only cook two at a time. 
• Burger Press - Using a bacon/burger press helps get the patties thin. If you have a round press, that will also work. 
• Parchment Paper - This is a must to keep the raw hamburger from sticking to the burger press. 
• Spatulas - Long, large metal spatula will turn the smash burgers and remove them from the griddle. Use two in place of a press if you don't have one.

Storage and Reheating

Store: Store any leftover smash burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator with pieces of either parchment paper or wax paper between them. This will keep the cheese from sticking to the patty on top of the other one. Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to four months. 

Reheat: To reheat the burger patty, place it on a preheated Blackstone or in a cast-iron skillet. This will crisp up the patty as well as warm it up. Otherwise, you can use a microwave, but the cheese will melt off the burger patty and will not get crispy, but it will get warm.

What To Serve With Smash Burgers

When serving the smash burgers add a side of roasted tiny potatoes or a cob of sweet corn cooked in the Instant Pot. Other great summer side options include pasta salad, broccoli and bacon salad, coleslaw, or potato salad. Short on time, throw some french fries or sweet potato fries in the oven. 

If you are in a smash burger mood but want to use a tortilla versus a bun, try Blackstone quesadilla burgers! It is a great spin on smash burgers that is equally delicious! Serve them with a side of Mexi-Ranch. 

Additional Sandwich Recipes

• Cuban-Style Steak Sandwich
• Pulled Pork With Homemade BBQ Sauce
• Greek Chicken Egg White Wrap
• Wild Rice Burgers