Smash Burger Bowl (Printable Version)

Crispy smashed beef patties served over mixed greens with fresh veggies and creamy special sauce.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beef Patties

01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
02 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt
03 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Vegetables & Greens

04 - 6 cups mixed salad greens (romaine, iceberg, spinach)
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
07 - 1 cup dill pickles, sliced
08 - 1 avocado, sliced

→ Toppings

09 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
10 - 1/4 cup crispy fried onions (optional)

→ Smash Sauce

11 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
12 - 2 tbsp ketchup
13 - 1 tbsp yellow mustard
14 - 1 tbsp sweet pickle relish
15 - 1 tsp white vinegar
16 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
17 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, white vinegar, smoked paprika, and black pepper in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside to allow flavors to meld.
02 - Place a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and allow it to become thoroughly hot.
03 - Divide ground beef into 8 equal portions and roll into balls. Season each ball generously with kosher salt and black pepper.
04 - Place beef balls onto the hot skillet. Using a heavy spatula, press each ball firmly to smash into thin, wide patties. Cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until a deep brown crust forms. Flip patties and cook an additional 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat.
05 - Distribute mixed salad greens evenly among four serving bowls. Arrange cherry tomatoes, red onion, dill pickles, avocado, and shredded cheddar cheese on top of the greens.
06 - Place 2 crispy smash burger patties on each bowl. Drizzle generously with prepared smash sauce and sprinkle with crispy fried onions if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • You get all the satisfaction of a smash burger without the bun coma
  • The crispy beef edges mixed with cool greens creates this incredible temperature and texture contrast that keeps every bite interesting
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes but feels like you put real thought into dinner
02 -
  • Do not crowd your pan or the beef will steam instead of sear. Work in batches if you need to.
  • The crust is the entire point of a smash burger. If you are not getting those crispy lace edges, your pan is not hot enough.
  • Letting the sauce sit for at least 10 minutes makes a huge difference. The vinegar needs time to mellow into the other flavors.
03 -
  • Pat your beef dry with paper towels before forming into balls. Excess moisture prevents proper searing.
  • Let the pan come back to temperature between batches if you are cooking in multiple rounds.

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