Smashed Burger Grilled Cheese (Printable View)

Juicy smashed beef and melted cheese pressed in buttery, crisp golden bread. Quick and flavorful.

# What You'll Need:

→ Smashed Burger

01 - 7 oz ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
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 (or American 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

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat until hot.
02 - Divide the ground beef into two equal portions and loosely shape each into a ball.
03 - Place one beef ball on the skillet and smash flat to a thickness of about 1/2 inch using a heavy spatula or burger press. Season with salt and pepper.
04 - Cook the patties for 2 minutes, flip, then top each with a slice of cheese. Continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes until cheese melts and patties are cooked through. Remove from skillet and keep warm.
05 - Butter one side of each bread slice. Place two slices buttered side down on the skillet.
06 - Layer each bread slice with a cheese slice, a smashed burger patty, and any optional toppings such as dill pickles, red onions, and mustard.
07 - Top 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 from heat, let stand for 1 minute, then slice and serve while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 25 minutes, so you can have something this good on a busy weeknight without any fuss.
  • The smashed patty stays tender and flavorful because you're not overworking the meat—just a quick press and it's done.
  • Every bite has both the comfort of grilled cheese and the satisfaction of a proper burger, making it feel indulgent without being complicated.
02 -
  • Don't press down on the patty while it's cooking after you've smashed it—let it sit undisturbed so it develops that golden crust and stays juicy inside.
  • The bread will toast faster than you think, especially if your skillet is still hot from cooking the patties, so watch it closely the first time.
  • Soften your butter before spreading it—cold butter tears the bread, and torn bread won't hold everything together properly when you bite into it.
03 -
  • Toast your bread separately before assembling if you like it extra crispy—just butter and toast it on the skillet first, then build the sandwich and give it a quick warm-up.
  • Keep a small bowl of water nearby when you're cooking the patties so you can deglaze the skillet between batches and prevent sticking.
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