SUPER SIMPLE SMASH BURGER W/ FRESH CUT FRIES
- WineCheeseScallops
- Aug 28, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Nov 14, 2024
Looking for the ultimate burger and fries experience right from your own kitchen? Our Super Simple Smash Burger and Homemade Fry Recipe are exactly what you need!
The Smash Burger Difference
Forget about those thick, restaurant-style burgers. Smash burgers are all about getting that perfect crispy edge and juicy center. Our step-by-step recipe makes it easy to create mouthwatering burgers that are smashed thin and seasoned to perfection. With a few simple ingredients and a good burger press, you can achieve that delicious crust and flavor everyone craves.
Homemade Fries to Die For
Pair your smash burger with our Fresh Cut Fries for a meal that’s sure to impress. These fries are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and seasoned just right. With our easy technique, you’ll learn how to get that perfect fry texture without the need for deep frying. It’s all about soaking, seasoning, and baking to achieve fry perfection!
Why Make Them at Home?
Making smash burgers and fries at home allows you to control every element—from the quality of the ingredients to the seasoning choices. Plus, you can experiment with different cheeses, spices, and toppings to create your own burger masterpiece.
So, fire up that griddle and grab your potatoes! Once you try them, you’ll never go back to ordinary burgers and fries again! Ready to get started? Let’s make some delicious memories together!
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Smash Burger Cooking Tips
When cooking on a griddle, proper prep work is essential to ensure a smooth and efficient cooking process. Having everything you need ready from start to finish—such as your tools, seasonings, and ingredients—will prevent you from scrambling at the last minute and ensure you can focus on cooking. This not only helps maintain the right temperatures but also ensures your food comes off the griddle perfectly cooked and on time.
Keep the Burger Balls Small: When forming your ground beef into balls, aim for about 2 ounces each. If the balls are too large, it will be difficult to smash them thin enough to achieve that signature crispy edge. Smaller balls are much easier to flatten, ensuring an even cook and delicious texture.
Use a Sturdy Burger Press: Investing in a good burger press is key to making smash burgers. A heavy, sturdy press will allow you to smash the burgers evenly and thinly, which is crucial for creating those crispy, caramelized edges. If you don’t have a burger press, a large spatula can work, but it won’t provide the same amount of pressure or control.
Preheat Your Griddle: Make sure your griddle or skillet is properly preheated before you start cooking. A hot cooking surface is essential for getting the perfect sear and crispy texture on your burgers. Let the griddle heat up for at least 10 minutes on high before adding the beef.
Use Parchment Paper for Smashing: Place a piece of parchment paper between the burger press or spatula and the beef when smashing. This prevents sticking and makes the process much cleaner. Plus, it allows you to press down harder without worrying about the meat sticking to your tool.
Season Right Away: As soon as you've smashed your burgers, season them immediately. This helps the seasoning adhere better to the meat and enhances the flavor.
Don't Overcrowd the Griddle: Give each burger enough space on the griddle to ensure they cook evenly. Overcrowding the griddle can cause the burgers to steam rather than sear, resulting in a less crispy texture.
Flip Once: Smash burgers cook quickly due to their thinness. You only need to flip them once, about 1 ½ to 2 minutes after smashing. Flipping them more than once can lead to a loss of that delicious crust and make them less juicy.
By following these tips, you'll be able to create delicious, crispy smash burgers that everyone will love!
Watch this short video to see our smashing technique in action!
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The Origins of the Burger
The history of the burger is a fascinating journey that spans continents and centuries. While ground meat has been a staple in many cultures for thousands of years, the modern burger as we know it started to take shape in the 19th century. The origins are often traced back to the port city of Hamburg, Germany, where minced beef, known as the "Hamburg steak," was seasoned, cooked, and served with bread. German immigrants brought this concept to the United States, where it began to evolve into the classic American hamburger.
The real turning point for the hamburger came in the early 20th century, with the rise of diners and roadside stands that made the burger a quintessential part of American cuisine. These establishments offered a quick, satisfying meal for a growing nation on the move. Over time, the hamburger has transformed from a simple meat patty into a culinary canvas for endless variations, from gourmet versions with exotic toppings to the simple, beloved smash burger we enjoy today.
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The Story of French Fries
Just like the burger, the history of French fries is a tale of cultural exchange and culinary evolution. Although they’re often associated with France, French fries are believed to have originated in Belgium. Legend has it that in the late 1600s, poor villagers in the Meuse Valley would fry small fish they caught in the river. When the river froze during the winter, they substituted potatoes for the fish, cutting them into thin slices and frying them just like their fish counterparts. These "French fried potatoes" were born and later gained popularity in neighboring France.
The American love affair with French fries began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when soldiers stationed in Belgium during World War I brought the idea back home. Since then, French fries have become an iconic side dish, perfect for pairing with everything from burgers to steaks. Over the years, they've evolved from simple hand-cut fries to a wide variety of styles, including shoestring, crinkle-cut, and curly fries, each with its own unique appeal.
The Perfect Pairing
Burgers and fries have a natural synergy that has cemented their place as one of the most iconic food pairings in the world. The crispy, salty exterior of a perfectly cooked fry complements the juicy, savory bite of a burger, creating a satisfying combination that has delighted people for generations. Today, we celebrate this timeless duo with our own take on smash burgers and fresh-cut fries, bringing a modern twist to these beloved classics. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, mastering the art of burgers and fries is a delicious way to connect with culinary history and create unforgettable meals.
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Why Our Smash Burger and Homemade Fry Recipe is So Good
Perfectly Crispy Burgers: Our smash burger recipe ensures a deliciously crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy and flavorful. The technique of smashing the patties thinly creates a caramelized crust that enhances the taste and texture of the burger.
Simple and Easy to Follow: The recipe is straightforward, with clear instructions that make it easy for anyone to recreate a restaurant-quality burger and fries at home. No special skills or equipment are needed—just a good burger press and a few simple ingredients!
Customizable Seasoning: With our recipe, you have the freedom to choose your favorite burger seasoning and cheese, allowing you to customize your burger to your liking. Whether you prefer classic American cheese or something more adventurous, this recipe can be tailored to your taste.
Homemade Fries with a Perfect Crunch: Our fresh-cut fries are baked, not fried, which means you can enjoy a crispy texture without the extra oil. The combination of soaking, cornstarch coating, and high-heat baking results in fries that are golden brown and deliciously crunchy.
Healthier Alternatives: By making your burgers and fries at home, you have full control over the quality of the ingredients. You can opt for leaner beef, use less butter, or choose healthier cooking oils, creating a meal that’s as nutritious as it is tasty.
No Need for a Deep Fryer: Our fry recipe uses the oven, eliminating the need for a deep fryer. This makes the process safer, less messy, and easier to clean up, all while still achieving perfectly crispy fries.
Restaurant-Quality at Home: Who needs to go out when you can enjoy a burger and fries that rival your favorite restaurant’s? With our recipe, you can create a satisfying meal that’s perfect for a family dinner, a casual get-together, or a solo treat.
A Fun Cooking Experience: Making smash burgers and fries at home is a fun, interactive cooking experience. It’s a great way to get everyone in the kitchen, making memories and enjoying delicious food together.
Economical and Accessible: Using simple, everyday ingredients, our recipe is budget-friendly and accessible. No need for specialty items—just fresh ground beef, potatoes, and a few pantry staples.
Endlessly Versatile: Our recipe provides a solid foundation that you can build upon. Experiment with different cheeses, spices, toppings, and sauces to create your own unique burger and fry combinations. The possibilities are endless!
These reasons are what make our smash burger and homemade fry recipe a standout—give it a try, and you’ll see why!
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Super Simple Smash Burgers
Ingredients:
1 lb 80/20 ground beef (or leaner)
2 tablespoons burger seasoning of choice (we prefer "The Blend" by Kenders)
8 slices cheese of choice
2 tablespoons butter
Directions:
Preheat griddle by setting two burners to high and allowing it to heat up for 10 minutes when using a 36-inch Blackstone.
Loosely form the ground beef into 8 equal-sized balls.
Brush 1 tablespoon of butter onto the hot side of the griddle, spreading it to cover the cooking area.
Place four balls of beef on the griddle, leaving enough space between each for smashing.
Place a sheet of parchment paper on top of each ball and smash them very thin using a large spatula or burger press. Smashing the burgers thinly helps ensure a crispy texture. A heavy, sturdy burger press is very helpful for this step.
Sprinkle 1/2 tablespoon of seasoning on each patty immediately and cook for 1 ½ to 2 minutes, until the outer edges become brown and crispy.
Use a sturdy spatula to scrape the burgers off the griddle and flip them.
Place a slice of cheese on each burger and cook until the bottoms are browned, about 1 more minute.
Stack two patties on top of each other and remove from the griddle.
Repeat with the remaining 4 beef balls.
Fresh Cut Fries
Ingredients:
4 large potatoes
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons fry seasoning of choice
Directions:
Cut the potatoes into evenly shaped fries.
Place the fries in a large bowl and fill with water, covering all fries. Let them soak for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, using the convection option if available.
Dry the fries using paper towels.
Place the fries back into a dry bowl and toss with cornstarch to soak up any additional moisture.
Coat the fries with oil, then add the seasonings and toss to combine.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, and place a rack inside to elevate the fries and allow air to circulate underneath. This eliminates the need to flip the fries during baking and is key to optimal results.
Bake the fries for 30-45 minutes or until they reach your desired color and texture.
Remove the fries from the oven and taste them. Add salt to taste, if needed.
We’re so excited for you to try this recipe! To make it even easier, we’ve put together a list of our favorite kitchen tools that are super helpful for this recipe. By using our affiliate links below, you’ll not only be getting top-notch products but also supporting our blog, Wine Cheese Scallops. Thank you so much for your support—happy cooking!
For the freshest ingredients to recreate dishes like these at home, we always visit our local gem, General Steak and Seafood.
Their high-quality selection never disappoints!
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