Smash Burger Alfresco

A delicious homemade smash burger with a spicy special sauce made from mayo, ketchup, and chipotle in adobo. Features ultra-thin crispy beef patties topped with melted American cheese, served on potato rolls with fresh lettuce, onion, and tomato.

4 servings
50 min

Ingredients

  • 1 cup finely chopped dill pickles
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 Tbsp ketchup
  • 2 Tbsp chipotle adobo sauce
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • lb ground beef
  • 4 pieces potato rolls
  • ½ head iceberg lettuce
  • 1 whole white onion
  • 4 slices tomato
  • 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
  • 8 slices American cheese

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Prepare a grill for high heat. Place a cast-iron griddle, flat side up, on grate; heat until very hot, at least 20 minutes.

    20 min

  2. 2.

    Mix together pickles, mayonnaise, ketchup, adobo sauce, and 1/2 tsp. salt in a medium bowl; set special sauce aside.

    5 min

  3. 3.

    Divide beef into eight 3-oz. portions (don't form into patties). Place 4 portions between 2 sheets of parchment paper, spacing 6" apart, and, using a meat mallet or skillet, firmly smash to create thin patties, about 5" across. Transfer to a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining portions and fresh parchment paper.

    10 min

  4. 4.

    Wrap all the buns together in a large sheet of foil to make a packet (this will keep buns soft and from getting too toasted on the grill). Place packet on grate and grill, turning once, until buns are warmed through, about 1 minute. Spread sauce over cut sides of buns. Place 3-4 pieces of lettuce on bottom buns and top each with some onion and a tomato slice, if using.

    5 min

  5. 5.

    Drizzle oil over griddle and use paper towels to evenly coat surface. The oil needs to be hot; you should see smoke almost instantly. Season patties lightly with salt. Place 4 on griddle, seasoned side down, and season top sides lightly with salt. Cook, undisturbed, until outer edges are brown and undersides are very crisp, about 2 minutes. Flip and place a slice of cheese on top of each patty. Cook until cheese is melted, about 30 seconds. Transfer patties to buns with toppings, stacking 2 patties on each bun. Repeat with remaining 4 patties, scraping off any cheese stuck to griddle in between batches.

    10 min