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Flavorful Smash Burgers Recipe with Easy Caramelized Onion Sauce

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A quick and easy smash burger recipe featuring juicy, crispy patties topped with a sweet and tangy homemade caramelized onion special sauce. Perfect for casual gatherings and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 4 slices cheddar cheese (sharp or mild)
  • 4 soft hamburger buns (brioche preferred)
  • 2 tbsp (30 g) unsalted butter
  • 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • ½ tsp (2.5 ml) garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional toppings: leafy lettuce, tomato slices, pickles (dill or bread & butter)

Instructions

  1. Caramelize the onions: Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add thinly sliced onions with a pinch of salt. Stir occasionally and cook for 20-25 minutes until deep golden brown.
  2. Prepare the special sauce: In a bowl, combine the caramelized onions (cooled slightly), mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and refrigerate.
  3. Form the meat balls: Divide ground beef into 4 equal portions (about 4 oz / 113 g each). Roll loosely into balls without overworking. Season each ball generously with salt and pepper just before cooking.
  4. Heat the skillet: Place a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and let it get very hot, about 5 minutes.
  5. Smash the patties: Place one meatball in the skillet and press down firmly with a spatula to flatten into a thin patty about ¼ inch thick. Hold spatula for 10 seconds. Cook for 2 minutes without moving until edges are brown and crisp. Flip, add a slice of cheddar, and cook another 1-2 minutes until cheese melts and patty is cooked through.
  6. Toast the buns: Spread remaining butter on the insides of buns and toast face-down in skillet or separate pan until golden and crisp, about 1-2 minutes.
  7. Assemble the burgers: Spread a generous spoonful of caramelized onion special sauce on the bottom bun. Add burger patty, then optional lettuce, tomato, and pickles. Top with the bun.
  8. Serve immediately while the crust is crispy and cheese is melty.

Notes

Use 80/20 ground beef for juicy patties. Don’t overwork the meat and press firmly but quickly to get a crispy crust. Caramelize onions low and slow for best flavor. Toast buns for added crunch. Sauce tastes better if made ahead and chilled overnight. Reheat leftovers in a skillet to maintain crustiness; avoid microwave.

Nutrition

Keywords: smash burgers, caramelized onion sauce, easy burger recipe, quick dinner, homemade burger sauce, crispy burger, juicy burger

Find it online: https://sunnysavory.com/flavorful-smash-burgers-recipe-with-easy-caramelized-onion-sauce/