Smash burgers
- Preparation and cooking time
- Prep:
- Cook:
- Easy
- Serves 4
Ingredients
- 4 burger buns, sesame topped or brioche, whichever you prefer
- 1 tbsp sunflower oil
- 500g steak mince, 15-20% fat is good
- 4 slices mild cheddar, or burger cheese
- 1 red onion, finely sliced
- handfuls of iceberg lettuce, finely shredded
- 2 tomatoes, sliced
- 1 large gherkin, sliced lengthways
- mayonnaise, ketchup and American mustard, or your preferred sauces, to serve
Method
- STEP 1
Slice the burger buns in half, then toast or grill the cut sides and set aside. Heat the oven to 100C/80C fan/gas ¼.
- STEP 2
Divide the mince into four loose piles and season generously with salt. Heat ¼ tbsp oil in a heavy frying pan or skillet over a high heat and put one of the piles in the pan. Working quickly, cover with a square of baking parchment and use a second smaller pan to press the beef patty down as hard as you can (you may wear oven gloves or use the end of a rolling pin for pressing down, being careful of the heat and rising steam). Allow to cook for 2 mins.
- STEP 3
Remove the parchment and turn the patty over. Press down with a spatula, cover with a slice of cheese and cook for 1 min. Transfer to a baking tray and keep warm in the oven while you cook the other burgers in the same way.
- STEP 4
To assemble the burger, scatter a bun base with onion, lettuce and tomato slices, followed by a smashed patty, gherkin slices and the bun top. Serve with your chosen sauces on the side.
