A smash burger is a hamburger that you firmly press flat onto a hot griddle while cooking. The name comes from the English word “to smash,” meaning to press flat. By smashing the ground beef directly onto a very hot griddle, you create a thin burger with extra crispy edges, an intensely savory flavor, and a juicy center.
The right griddle plays an important role here. A professional foodservice griddle maintains a constant temperature, has a large, flat cooking surface, and is suitable for quickly cooking multiple burgers at once. With a smooth griddle from Horeca Online Store, you can not only make smash burgers at home, but you can also work efficiently in a snack bar, food truck, restaurant, or catering kitchen.
Why a professional griddle is ideal for smash burgers
To make a great smash burger, you need a cooking surface that heats up quickly and maintains its temperature when you place multiple burgers on it. A professional griddle is ideal for this. The griddles from Horeca Online Store are available in various models, including electric griddles and propane gas griddles. There are also compact models measuring approximately 36 or 55 centimeters and larger griddles measuring 73, 75, or 100 centimeters. This means there’s a model to suit virtually any kitchen and any production capacity.
A smooth griddle is the best choice for smash burgers, because the ground meat makes full contact with the hot surface. This ensures an evenly browned crust. In addition, many griddles are made of stainless steel and equipped with a grease tray, which contributes to efficient and hygienic operation.
Check out the selection of professional baking sheets at Horeca Online Store.
Smashburger Recipe
This recipe makes four delicious smash burgers.
Ingredients
For the burgers
- 600 grams ground beef (make sure to use ground beef with enough fat; lean ground beef can become dry)
- 4 hamburger buns
- 8 slices of cheddar
- 1 small onion, cut into thin rings
- Salt & Pepper
- A small amount of neutral oil, such as sunflower oil
For the sauce
- 4 tablespoons of mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons of ketchup
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 small pickle, very finely chopped
- A pinch of paprika
Optional toppings
- Pickle
- Crisp iceberg lettuce
- Tomato
- Fried bacon
- Jalapeño
- Fried onions
What kind of baking sheet do you need for smash burgers?
Preferably choose a smooth, professional-grade griddle. A smooth surface ensures maximum contact between the ground meat and the griddle, creating that famous crispy crust.
When choosing a griddle, keep the following points in mind:
1. Smooth cooking surface
A smooth griddle is ideal for pressing the ground beef firmly flat. Ribbed griddles are best when you want distinct grill marks, but for the classic smash burger, a smooth griddle usually gives the best results.
2. Sufficient Power
The griddle must heat up quickly and maintain that temperature when you’re cooking multiple burgers at once. This is especially important in a professional foodservice kitchen, where speed and consistent quality are key.
3. Appropriate size
For home use or a small kitchen, a 36- or 55-centimeter griddle may be sufficient. For a snack bar, food truck, or restaurant, a larger model measuring 73, 75, or 100 centimeters is often more practical.
4. Electric or Propane
An electric griddle is convenient for a permanent kitchen with a suitable power connection. A propane gas griddle, on the other hand, offers flexibility and can be a good option for mobile applications, such as food trucks and catering.
5. Easy cleaning
A grease tray and an easily accessible cooking surface make cleaning easier. Let the griddle cool down after use and always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
Making Smashburgers: Step by Step
Step 1: Make the sauce
Mix the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, finely chopped pickles, and paprika in a bowl. Refrigerate the sauce until you’re ready to assemble the burgers.
Step 2: Divide the ground beef
Divide the ground beef into eight portions of about 75 grams each. Roll each portion loosely into a ball.
Don’t make the meatballs too compact. A loose texture ensures the burger stays more tender after smashing. Don’t season the ground beef yet; salt can draw moisture to the surface if added too early.
Step 3: Preheat the professional griddle
Preheat the smooth commercial griddle thoroughly. The griddle must be hot enough for the ground meat to sizzle immediately upon contact with the surface.
The exact temperature varies depending on the griddle and model. Therefore, use the manufacturer’s settings and instructions as a guide. Always work on a stable, heat-resistant surface, and for gas models, ensure a secure connection and adequate ventilation.
Step 4: Cook the First Side
Place one or more meatballs on the hot griddle. Leave enough space between the burgers.
Place a sheet of parchment paper on top of each meatball. Then flatten the meat with a sturdy, wide spatula or burger press. Make the burger about 8 to 10 millimeters thick. Press down firmly just once and do not slide the spatula back and forth.
Remove the parchment paper and sprinkle the burgers with salt and pepper.
Step 5: Create a crispy crust
Let the burgers cook for about 1 to 2 minutes without moving them. A brown, crispy crust will form on the bottom. That’s exactly the desired result for a smash burger.
Use a sturdy baking sheet spatula to loosen the burger from the baking sheet. Slide the spatula all the way under the crust so you retain as much of the flavorful crust as possible.
Step 6: Flip the burgers
Flip the burgers and cook the other side for about 30 to 60 seconds. Immediately place a slice of cheddar on each burger. For a double smash burger, stack two burgers on top of each other as soon as the cheese starts to melt.
Step 7: Toast the buns
Cut the hamburger buns in half and place them cut-side down on an empty section of the baking sheet. Toast them briefly until they’re lightly golden brown.
Toasting the inside of the bun helps keep it firmer and prevents it from absorbing moisture from the sauce and toppings as quickly.
Step 8: Fry the onion
If desired, fry the thin onion rings on a clean section of the baking sheet. You can use them raw, but fried onions have a sweeter and richer flavor.
If you’re working in a professional kitchen, be mindful of cross-contamination. Use clean utensils when assembling the burgers and keep raw ingredients separate from prepared foods.
Step 9: Assemble the smash burger
Assemble the burger as follows:
- Bottom half of the toasted bun
- A layer of burger sauce
- Lettuce or fried onions
- Two smash burgers with melted cheddar
- Pickle and any additional toppings
- A little more sauce
- Top half of the bun
Serve the smash burgers immediately. That way, the burgers stay warm, the cheese stays melted, and the bun stays crispy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Smash Burgers and Baking Sheets
What’s the difference between a regular hamburger and a smashburger?
A regular hamburger is often pre-formed and cooked relatively thick. A smashburger is placed on a very hot griddle as a loose patty and then pressed flat. This creates a thin burger with an extra-crispy crust.
Which griddle is best for smash burgers?
A smooth, professional-grade commercial griddle is usually the best choice. The smooth surface ensures direct contact between the ground meat and the griddle, which promotes browning and a crispy edge.
Can I make smash burgers on a ribbed griddle?
Yes, you can, but a ribbed griddle doesn’t provide as much contact with the ground beef. A ribbed griddle is good for creating distinct grill marks; for the classic smash burger, a smooth griddle is usually more practical.
How hot should a griddle be for smash burgers?
The griddle must be thoroughly preheated and hot before you place the ground meat on it. The exact temperature depends on the model. Therefore, follow the griddle’s user manual and make sure the meat is cooked through.
Which griddle is best for a food truck?
For a food truck, a compact electric griddle or a propane gas griddle may be suitable. Be sure to consider the available space, power source, capacity, and ventilation options.
How many smash burgers can I cook at once?
That depends on the size of the griddle and the size of the burgers. Leave enough space between the burgers so that the griddle stays hot and the meat can brown properly.
Conclusion
A good smash burger comes down to three things: high-quality ground beef, the right technique, and a hot, stable griddle. By pressing the ground beef flat directly onto a smooth, professional-grade griddle, you create the signature crispy crust and intense flavor.
Whether you run a snack bar, restaurant, food truck, catering company, or professional home kitchen, at Horeca Online Store you’ll find griddles in various sizes and styles. Browse our selection of electric and propane griddles and choose the one that best suits your kitchen and production capacity.
