Burger Blast Smashburgers
Smash burgers cook quickly, so have cheese close at hand to layer between patties. You need a cheese that can melt quickly, and American cheese is perfect for this. Or else use something that can add fat and moisture, like a yolky egg. This is important because it has to make up for the thinness of these burgers. There's no cooking them to a juicy medium-rare, so they always run the risk of getting a little dry. And don't worry about making them perfectly sized to fit the bun. They're supposed to be rustic and rough-around-the-edges.
These are not grilling burgers. You need the solid bottom of a skillet or, ideally, a flat-top griddle to create a texturally interesting crust. Most pans will only fit two smashed patties, which is one serving, but don't worry. They cook so quickly nobody will sit around waiting with their food getting cold. Side note: don't use a non-stick pan for these. You want the skillet to sear these burgers quickly, at a high heat. The heat will probably be too much for non-stick pans; their coating vaporizes when heat is more than 450°F.
1 pound ground beef
1 Tablespoon Burger Blast seasoning blend
8 slices American or other melty cheese
4 hamburger buns, toasted and ready to eat
Pickles, ketchup, mayonnaise, onions, and other preferred condiments
1. Toss ground beef with Burger Blast and mix thoroughly. Then roll meat into 8, 2-ounce balls. Set aside.
2. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat until it is extremely hot. Place two prepared two ounce balls in the hot skillet, then smash them down with the bottom of your spatula. You should hear them start to sear immediately.
3. Let them cook for a minute or two, depending on how hot your pan is. When you can see the searing on the edges of the burger, flip to the other side and cook for another minute or two. Top with slices of cheese as soon as you flip the burger.
4. Remove from heat as soon as the second side looks cooked. Stack patties on waiting buns, and top with your favorite toppings. Repeat until all burgers are cooked.