Smashed Burger Grilled Cheese (Printer View)

Juicy smashed beef and melted cheddar layered in toasted buttery bread, perfect for a quick satisfying meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Smashed Burger

01 - 7 oz ground beef (80/20 blend)
02 - 1/4 tsp salt
03 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Grilled Cheese

04 - 4 slices sandwich bread (white or sourdough)
05 - 4 slices cheddar cheese
06 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

→ Optional Additions

07 - 4 slices dill pickle
08 - 2 tsp yellow mustard
09 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced

# Method Steps:

01 - Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat until hot.
02 - Divide ground beef into two equal portions and loosely shape each into a ball.
03 - Place one beef ball on the hot surface and press with a heavy spatula or burger press until approximately 1/2 inch thick. Season with salt and black pepper.
04 - Cook patties for 2 minutes, then flip and top each with a slice of cheese. Continue cooking 1 to 2 minutes until cheese melts and patties are cooked through. Remove and set aside.
05 - Butter one side of each bread slice. Place two slices, buttered side down, onto the skillet.
06 - Top each slice of bread with a cheese slice, a smashed burger patty, and optional pickles, onion slices, and mustard as desired.
07 - Cover with the remaining bread slices, buttered side up.
08 - Cook sandwiches for 2 to 3 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden and cheese is melted.
09 - Remove sandwiches from heat, let rest for 1 minute, then slice and serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The beef gets crispy and flavorful from the smash, while the melted cheese and buttery bread make it feel fancy without the fuss.
  • It's ready in 25 minutes flat, which means you can have something restaurant-quality any weeknight without the stress.
  • The contrast between the crunchy bread, soft cheese, and thin, caramelized patty hits all your cravings at once.
02 -
  • Don't overwork the beef when forming it—loose patties flatten and cook better than dense, packed ones, and they stay much more tender.
  • The smash itself creates the texture, so press hard and hold for those first couple seconds to build the crust that makes this recipe special.
03 -
  • Keep your beef cold and loose, and work quickly once it hits the hot skillet—this keeps the patty tender and ensures even browning.
  • Softened butter spreads evenly and browns consistently, while cold butter creates uneven patches that either burn or stay pale.
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