Description
A quick and flavorful Smash Burger recipe featuring crispy-edged, tender patties topped with melty plant-based cheese (plant-based), fresh vegetables, and toasted soft buns. Perfect for fast weeknight dinners with customizable toppings and simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Burger
- 3 to 4 ounces fresh ground beef (about 20% fat) per patty
- Soft sandwich buns
- Plant-based cheese slices (plant-based)
- Thinly sliced onion rings
- Pickles, sliced
- Vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Plant-based butter
For the Sauce
- Apple cider vinegar (natural), a splash
- Your favorite spices (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Shape the ground beef into loose balls of about 3 to 4 ounces each. Arrange all toppings, including sliced onions, pickles, and plant-based cheese (plant-based) nearby for quick assembly. Lightly butter the buns for toasting later.
- Heat Your Cooking Surface: Preheat a heavy skillet or griddle until very hot. A hot pan is essential for achieving the signature crispy edges on the Smash Burger.
- Smash and Season Patties: Place each beef ball on the pan and press down firmly with a spatula until very thin. Immediately season with salt, pepper, and a little vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural). Cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes.
- Flip and Add Cheese: When the edges become crispy and brown, flip each patty and place a slice of plant-based cheese (plant-based) on top. Allow the cheese to melt as the burger finishes cooking, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Toast the Buns: While the patties cook, brown the buttered buns in a separate pan or toaster until golden and slightly crispy to enhance texture contrast.
- Assemble Your Smash Burger: Layer the bottom bun with the patty, add onions and pickles, then spread your sauce made with apple cider vinegar (natural) and desired spices. Top with the bun and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use a very hot pan to get the perfect crust on your patties.
- Do not overcrowd the cooking surface to avoid steaming the patties.
- Press down firmly when smashing for crispy edges.
- Choose fresh vegetables and quality buns for best texture and flavor.
- Cover the pan briefly after flipping to melt the plant-based cheese (plant-based) perfectly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Smash Burger, plant-based cheese burger, quick burger recipe, crispy burger, weeknight dinner
