If the smashed-style of burger is your favorite, then this recipe with BBQ sauce, bacon, and caramelized onions is perfect.
There was a time in my life where I was convinced that I would never be able to make a burger that was as good as the burgers that I ate in restaurants. There was also a time in my life – a LONG time – where I was deceived into thinking that the quickest way to ruin a burger was to (gasp) smash it.
Turns out that neither of these things are true. While I still love a great restaurant burger, there is no home cooked dinner that excites me more to come home and cook than one of these burgers. That’s for two reasons: 1) they might be even better than a great restaurant burger; and (2) this dinner takes 15 minutes from start to finish, assuming that I made the caramelized onions ahead of time. 
Upscale fast food chains like Shake Shack, Smash Burger, and the grande dame, In-N-Out, have, pardon the pun, smashed the notion that you shouldn’t smash your burgers. All you need for a perfect smashed burger are: some good 80/20 ground beef, salt and pepper, a hot skillet (preferably cast iron), and a whole lotta pressure. Bonus points for a squishy potato roll (Martin’s is my preferred brand) and a fantastic burger sauce. Other toppings are optional, and I always err on the side of simplicity with my toppings.
This BBQ bacon smashed burger is quick, simple, and delicious, and you will need two napkins to eat it. That, my friends, is the sign of a great burger.
Click here for the homemade BBQ sauce recipe.
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BBQ Smash Burgers
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
Juicy smashed patties, crispy bacon, and caramelized onions make these BBQ burgers irresistible. Perfect for a casual weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 lbs (454 g) 80/20 ground beef
- salt
- pepper
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 potato rolls
- 0.5 cups (118 ml) BBQ sauce
- 4 slices American cheese
- 4 slices bacon
- caramelized onions
Instructions
- Whisk BBQ sauce ingredients together in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate.
- Roll ground beef into balls and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Place a 10-12 inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter.
- Brown the cut sides of two potato rolls. Repeat with remaining butter and rolls.
- Place each potato roll on a plate and spread both cut sides with BBQ sauce.
- Increase heat to medium-high. Place 4 ground beef balls in the skillet and smash with a spatula until thin.
- Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until browned and crispy.
- Top two patties with cheese, place other patties on top, and melt cheese.
- Remove to two prepared buns.
- Repeat cooking process with remaining ground beef.
- Top burgers with bacon and caramelized onions and serve immediately.
Notes
- For perfectly smashed patties, use a metal spatula and apply firm, even pressure.
- To prevent the bacon from becoming too crispy, cook it separately and add it to the burger just before serving.
- Leftover cooked patties can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated in a skillet or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 30
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 100
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of ground beef should I use for the BBQ Smash Burgers?
For the best results, use 80/20 ground beef, which has the right balance of fat for juicy and flavorful burgers.
How do I properly smash the burgers in the skillet?
Preheat your cast iron skillet until it’s very hot, then place the beef ball in the skillet and apply even pressure with a spatula for 10-15 seconds to achieve a good sear.
Can I make the caramelized onions ahead of time for the burgers?
Yes, making the caramelized onions ahead of time is recommended, as it allows for a quicker cooking process when you’re ready to assemble the burgers.
