10 Best Smash Burger Recipes to Try Now

Smash burgers have been stealing the show lately – that perfect crunch when the patty hits the hot grill, sealing in all the juicy goodness. For anyone who gets a kick out of playing with bold flavors over an open flame, these 10 recipes are packed with killer ideas from the web. They’re not just your run-of-the-mill cheeseburgers; each one’s got a unique spin, like towering piles of caramelized onions or a gooey beer cheese dip. 

To keep all these recipes organized, we have created the ReciMe app, which is a total lifesaver, pulling in ideas from spots like Instagram or TikTok in a snap. It can grab a recipe from a video or even a photo of a scribbled note, sorting ingredients and steps without the clutter. The app’s grocery lists, sorted by aisle, and its meal planner make it easy to plan a week of epic burgers, ensuring no topping gets forgotten at the store. Plus, its nutrition calculator helps keep track of calories when those double patties start adding up.

1. Cheesy Onion Smash Burgers

I’m a sucker for onions cooked right into the patty – they get all caramelized and crispy. Using short rib makes these extra rich, and the spicy pepper jam with bacon? Total crowd-pleaser that’ll have everyone too busy eating to talk.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs short rib (cubed or ground)
• ½ white onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 6 slices bacon, cut in half
• 6 slices American cheese
• 2 tbsp spicy pepper jam
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• Brioche or potato buns

How to Cook It: If you’re grinding your own meat, cube the short rib, chill it in the freezer for 15 minutes, grind twice for a finer texture, then chill again for 20. Get your grill to medium-high (375-400°F) and heat a cast-iron skillet for a couple minutes. Fry bacon until crispy, set aside, drain the grease, and maybe toast your buns in the skillet for a crispy bite. Form 6-8 beef balls (about ¼ lb each), smash them flat on the skillet with parchment and a spatula, pile on the onions, season with salt, pepper, and garlic, and cook 1-2 minutes. Flip, season again, add cheese to melt for another minute or two, then let rest for 3-4 minutes. Spread pepper jam on the bottom bun, stack a patty (or two), add bacon, smear mayo on the top bun, and serve hot.

2. Animal Style Burger

This one’s for those nights when you’re craving In-N-Out but can’t hit the drive-thru. The caramelized onions take some time, but that mustardy sear on the patty makes it so worth it. Pure nostalgia in every bite.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 lbs ground beef (85/15)
• 1.5 tbsp kosher salt
• 1.5 tbsp black pepper
• 1.5 tbsp garlic powder
• Yellow mustard (as needed)
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• Canola oil
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup ketchup
• 2.5 tbsp relish
• 2 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tbsp white sugar
• Brioche buns, American cheese, sliced tomatoes, lettuce, dill pickles

How to Cook It: Fire up the grill to medium (300°F). Heat a skillet with 2 tbsp oil and caramelize the diced onion for about 45 minutes, stirring often – keep it warm. Mix mayo, ketchup, relish, vinegar, and sugar for the special sauce and chill it. Crank the grill to high (450°F), form 6-8 beef balls (¼ lb each), smash them on the hot skillet with parchment, season with salt, pepper, and garlic, and cook 1-1.5 minutes. Drizzle mustard on the patty, flip, season again, add cheese to melt for 1-2 minutes. Let patties rest. Toast buns, spread sauce on the bottom, layer pickles, tomato, lettuce, 1-2 patties, onions, more sauce, and top bun.

3. Grilled Cheese BBQ Cheeseburger

Ever dream of combining a grilled cheese with a burger? This Five Guys-inspired monster uses flipped buns for extra crunch, plus bacon and onion rings. It’s a messy masterpiece – grab a stack of napkins.

Ingredients:

• 2-3 lbs ground beef (80/20)
• 10-12 thick-cut bacon slices
• 10-12 American cheese slices
• 1.5 cups BBQ sauce
• 2 tbsp Bourbon Prime Rub (or your go-to burger rub)
• 10-12 onion rings
• 10-12 burger buns

How to Cook It: Shape 2-oz beef balls (16-24 total) and chill them. Preheat grill to medium-high (375-400°F) and heat a cast-iron skillet. Cook bacon until crispy, set aside. Smash beef balls on the skillet, season with rub, cook 30 seconds, then smash again with parchment and spatula for 1-2 minutes. Flip, season, add cheese to melt for 1-2 minutes, and stack in pairs. Place bottom bun face-down on skillet, add cheese, double patties, onion rings, BBQ sauce, and top bun (upside-down). Smash and toast for 15 seconds, flip, toast again. Let cool slightly before diving in.

4. Au Cheval Burger

This one’s got that upscale Chicago diner vibe with homemade mayo and a runny fried egg. The black pepper bacon adds a kick, and popping the yolk right before you eat feels like a chef’s moment.

Ingredients:

• 85/15 ground beef (for 6-8 balls, ~¼ lb each)
• 1.5 tbsp kosher salt
• 1.5 tbsp black pepper
• 1.5 tbsp garlic powder
• Beef tallow
• For mayo: 2 egg yolks, ¼ cup neutral oil, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 tsp white vinegar, pinch of salt
• Thick-cut black pepper bacon, American cheese, diced red onions, chopped chives, chopped pickles, fresh eggs, brioche buns

How to Cook It: Blend mayo ingredients with an immersion blender, adding oil slowly until smooth, then chill. Preheat grill to high (450°F), heat skillet with beef tallow until it’s smoking. Form 6-8 beef balls, smash on skillet with parchment, season, cook 1-1.5 minutes. Flip, season, add cheese, melt for 1-2 minutes, and rest patties. Cook bacon crispy, fry eggs sunny-side-up in hot oil. Toast buns, spread mayo on bottom, stack double patties and bacon. On top bun, add mayo, pickles, red onions, egg, chives. Pop the yolk before combining.

5. BBQ Bacon Burger

This burger screams summer with Sam Adams beer-battered onion rings and smoky BBQ sauce. The bacon’s a must, and you can whip up your own sauce if you’re feeling fancy, but store-bought works too.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs ground beef
• 1.5 tbsp kosher salt
• 1.5 tbsp black pepper
• 1.5 tbsp garlic powder
• 2 yellow onions, sliced into 1.5” rings
• 12 oz Sam Adams Summer Ale
• 2 cups white flour
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 tbsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp cayenne
• Frying oil
• 6-8 cheese slices, 8-10 bacon slices, BBQ sauce, toasted burger buns

How to Cook It: Soak onion rings in ice water. Heat 2-3” oil to 375°F in a deep skillet. Mix 1.5 cups flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic, and cayenne with beer for batter. Dredge onions in remaining flour, dip in batter, fry 2 minutes per side in batches, drain on a rack. Preheat grill to 375-400°F, cook bacon, set aside. Form 2-oz beef balls, smash on skillet, season, cook 30 seconds, smash again, cook 1-2 minutes, flip, season, add cheese to melt. Stack in pairs. Toast buns, spread mayo on bottom, add double patties, bacon, onion rings, BBQ sauce, top bun.

6. Beer Cheese Smash Burgers

Perfect for game day or a St. Paddy’s vibe, these burgers come with a rich beer cheese dip and a kick from jalapeños. Veggies sautéed in bacon fat take it over the top.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs ground beef (90/10)
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 tbsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1.5 cups shredded sharp cheddar
• 1.5 cups shredded Jack cheese
• ¾ cup whole milk
• ⅔ cup dark beer
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 2.5 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1.5 tsp cayenne
• 1 cup sliced red onions, 2 sliced jalapeños, 8-10 cheddar slices, 10-12 bacon slices, 3 tbsp mayo, brioche buns

How to Cook It: Preheat grill to 400°F. In a skillet, melt butter with flour, garlic powder, and cayenne, then slowly add beer, mustard, and Worcestershire. Stir in cheeses until smooth, thin with milk if needed, and keep warm. Form 6-8 beef balls, smash on hot skillet, season, cook 1-2 minutes, flip, season, add cheese to melt. Rest patties. Cook bacon, sauté onions and jalapeños in bacon fat for 3-4 minutes. Toast buns, spread mayo, add double patties, bacon, veggies, more mayo, top bun. Serve with beer cheese for dipping.

7. Cowboy Candy Smash Burger

Sweet and spicy is my jam, and these candied jalapeños (aka cowboy candy) are a total game-changer. Paired with glazed bacon and some kicked-up baked beans, it’s BBQ soul in burger form.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• ½ lb sliced bacon
• 6-8 cheese slices
• ¼ cup salt/pepper/garlic mix
• 1 lb jalapeños, sliced
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• ½ tsp turmeric
• ½ tsp celery seed
• 1.5 tsp granulated garlic
• 1 tsp cayenne
• 16 oz Bush’s Original Baked Beans
• ½ cup cowboy candy
• ¼ cup chopped bacon
• Mayonnaise, burger buns

How to Cook It: In a skillet, boil vinegar, sugar, turmeric, celery seed, garlic, and cayenne. Add jalapeños, cook 2-3 minutes, jar them, boil syrup 5-6 minutes, pour over, and chill for 2-3 hours (better if 3-4 days). Preheat grill to 400°F, form 6-8 beef balls, smash on skillet, season, cook 1-1.5 minutes, flip, season, add cheese to melt. Rest patties. Cook bacon, glaze with cowboy candy syrup. Heat beans, mix in chopped bacon and cowboy candy. Toast buns, spread mayo, add double patties, candied bacon, cowboy candy, top bun. Serve with beans.

8. Oklahoma Onion Burger

This one’s got history – born when onions were cheap, and meat wasn’t. Load up on caramelized onions and a tangy special sauce for comfort food that never misses.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 lbs ground beef (85/15)
• 2 cups sliced white onions
• 1.5 tbsp kosher salt
• 1.5 tbsp black pepper
• 1.5 tbsp garlic powder
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup ketchup
• 2.5 tbsp relish
• 2 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tbsp white sugar
• Brioche buns, American cheese, dill pickles

How to Cook It: Mix mayo, ketchup, relish, vinegar, and sugar for sauce, then chill. Preheat grill to 450°F, form 6-8 beef balls, smash on hot skillet with parchment, season, cook 1-1.5 minutes. Top with onions, flip, season, add cheese to melt for 1-2 minutes. Warm buns by stacking top bun on cheese, bottom bun on top. Spread sauce on bottom bun, add pickles, 1-2 patties, top bun.

9. Jalapeño Popper Smash Burgers

Think of your favorite bar snack, but as a burger. Stuff jalapeños with cheese, press them into the patties, and add a smoky chipotle sauce. Pickled onions and bacon make it unreal.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs ground beef (90/10)
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 tbsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 5-6 jalapeños, cored and seeded
• 12 oz cream cheese
• ⅔ cup shredded cheddar
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp chipotle puree
• 1 tsp hot sauce
• Juice of 2 limes
• 8-10 pepper jack cheese slices
• 10-12 bacon slices
• 1 cup pickled red onions
• Brioche buns

How to Cook It: Mix cream cheese and cheddar, stuff jalapeños, slice into ½” rounds, chill. Mix chipotle sauce ingredients, let sit. Preheat grill to 400°F, form 6-8 beef balls, smash on skillet, season, press 3-4 jalapeño slices into each, cook 1-2 minutes. Flip, season, add pepper jack to melt. Rest patties. Cook bacon, toast buns. Spread chipotle sauce, add 2-4 patties, bacon, pickled onions, more sauce, top bun.

10. Chili Cheese Smash Burgers

When you’re starving and don’t mind a little mess, these are it. Smoky chili, jalapeños, and Fritos for crunch make this a meal that sticks with you.

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs ground beef (2 lbs for chili, 1 lb for patties)
• 1 white onion, cubed
• 28 oz peeled, chopped tomatoes
• 6 oz light beer
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2.5 tbsp minced garlic
• 2 tbsp hot sauce
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1.5 tbsp ground cumin
• 1.5 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 cup sliced onions
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 tbsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 5-6 burger buns, jalapeños, mayo, cheddar cheese, Frito chips

How to Cook It: In a Dutch oven at 350°F, brown 2 lbs beef for 2.5-3 minutes, set aside. Sauté onion and garlic, add spices, beef, broth, chipotle puree, tomatoes, beer. Simmer at 300-325°F for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally. Preheat grill to 375-400°F, form 6-8 beef balls, smash on skillet with onions, season, cook 1-2 minutes, flip, season, add cheese to melt. Rest patties. Toast buns, spread mayo, add 1-2 patties, chili, jalapeños, Fritos, top bun.

Conclusion

Smash burgers are all about that crispy, juicy perfection, and these 10 recipes bring enough variety to keep your grill hot all season. Whether you’re into the sweet heat of cowboy candy or the classic comfort of an Animal Style burger, there’s something here for everyone. ReciMe makes it super easy to save these recipes, whether you’re grabbing ideas from social media or jotting down your own tweaks, so you can focus on grilling, not hunting for ingredients. Try one out, toss it into ReciMe, and plan your next epic cookout – you’ll thank me later.