Ingredients
Burger Sauce
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Smash Burgers
- 1 1/2 pounds high-quality 80% lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon canola oil
- 1 large yellow onion, very thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
- 1 large jalapeño chile, very thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup)
- 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 4 American cheese slices
- 4 soft hamburger buns, split and toasted
Directions
Make the burger sauce
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Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christina Daley Stir together all burger sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Cover, and chill until ready to use.
Make the smash burgers
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Divide beef into 8 (3-ounce) portions, and shape each portion into a loose ball; place on a plate. Cover, and chill while preparing grill. Cut a 3-inch square of parchment paper; set aside. Preheat grill to high (450°F to 500°F); place a large cast-iron skillet or griddle on grill to preheat. (Alternatively, heat a flattop griddle to medium-high, or a large cast-iron skillet or griddle on the stove over high.)
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Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christina Daley Drizzle skillet evenly with oil. Working in batches if needed, arrange onion slices in 8 small mounds (about 1/4 cup each) on skillet, spacing at least 2 inches apart. Top onion mounds with jalapeño slices (about 1 tablespoon each), and sprinkle evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, undisturbed, until onions are beginning to brown, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
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Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christina Daley Place 1 meat ball on each onion mound.
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Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christina Daley Top with parchment paper square, and press firmly to flatten, using a sturdy spatula or burger press, to form a 4-inch-wide patty; remove parchment paper. Repeat process with remaining meat balls and onion mounds. Sprinkle smashed patties evenly with remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cook, undisturbed, until patties begin to crisp around the edges, 2 to 3 minutes.
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Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christina Daley Flip patties so that onion-jalapeño mixture is on top. Place 1 cheese slice on each of 4 patties. Continue to cook until patties are well browned and cheese is melted, 1 minute and 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Top each cheese-covered patty with a plain patty to create 4 double stacks. Transfer each stack to a bottom bun. Spread about 1 tablespoon burger sauce on each top bun; place on top of patties. Serve immediately.
