Smash Burger Bowl (Printable)
Crispy smashed beef over fresh greens with pickles, tomatoes, avocado, 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
→ 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 and fully incorporated. Set aside at room temperature.
02 - Place large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and allow to preheat thoroughly until surface is evenly hot.
03 - Divide ground beef into 8 equal portions and roll into balls. Season each ball generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
04 - Place beef balls onto hot skillet. Press each ball down firmly with a heavy spatula to smash into thin, irregular patties. Cook undisturbed for 2–3 minutes until edges are crispy and bottoms are well-browned. Flip and cook an additional 1–2 minutes until cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside.
05 - Distribute mixed salad greens evenly among four serving bowls. Arrange cherry tomatoes, red onion slices, dill pickles, and avocado sections over the greens.
06 - Place 2 smashed burger patties on each bowl. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly across all bowls while patties are still warm.
07 - Drizzle prepared smash sauce generously over each bowl. Top with crispy fried onions if desired. Serve immediately while patties remain warm.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You get that incredible smashed burger crust in every bite without firing up the grill
- The combination of cold crisp greens against hot salty beef is honestly magical
- Everything can be prepped ahead so weeknight dinner comes together in ten minutes flat
02 -
- Do not use lean ground beef or you will miss out on all those crispy edges and juicy bites
- The pan must be hot enough that the beef sizzles loudly the second it hits the surface
- Smash the beef immediately when it hits the pan or it will not flatten properly
03 -
- Use a heavy metal spatula and really lean into it when smashing the beef
- Season the beef right before it hits the pan for the best crust formation