How to Make Smash Burgers on Blackstone Griddle

This easy Blackstone Smash Burger recipe lets you make homemade smash burgers on the Blackstone griddle or any flat top grill. Better than takeout and a new family favorite!

Easy Smash Burger Recipe on Blackstone

You can make the BEST smash burgers on the Blackstone griddle! We bought a flat top grill a couple of years ago, and we use it weekly or daily when it’s nice out to make or favorite Blackstone recipes. We love smash burgers, Blackstone cheesesteaks, chicken, steak, sausages and even fried rice.

It’s cheaper than eating out, and homemade smashburgers taste better! Even though we love Onion Soup Mix Burgers and Air Fryer Hamburgers, my kids say a thin crispy crust hamburger patty makes the best burger ever!

If you don’t have a flat top grill, you can make smash burgers at home in a cast iron skillet or the Ninja Foodi Grill Griddle.

Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients for smash burgers. What you don’t already have at home should be easy to find online or at your local grocery store. Full amounts are in the printable recipe card below.

• Ground chuck — An 80/20 blend works best so that the burgers are nice and juicy. You want to avoid lean ground beef for burgers.
• Sea salt — for flavor
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder — optional
• Onion powder — optional
• Avocado oil or butter — We use a combination of both
• Cheese, burger buns and toppings of your choice

You will also need a burger press or large metal spatula to flatten the meat. We started out using a spatula and eventually bought a press. Parchment paper or wax paper will help to keep meat from sticking.

How to Make Smash Burgers on Blackstone Griddle

Unlike a traditional burger, you don’t mix the ground meat and form it into a ball. You want a loosely packed burger ball here so it’s easier to smash down.

The best way to form loose balls is to scoop hamburger meat into a small measuring cup. We like a 1/3 cup or 1/4 cup for these burgers. Don’t pack the ground beef too tightly into the measuring cup.

Next, place the burger balls on a platter or plate. You can season them now or as you are cooking them. We like to sprinkle seasoning on the meat before cooking. If you prefer, you can add your favorite seasoning blend.

Heat the griddle to medium high heat. You can grease the Blackstone grill with butter or avocado oil or a little bit of both. We spread a light coat of avocado oil on the surface of the griddle first, and then we add butter.

When the griddle surface temperature is hot enough, place the balls of ground beef onto the griddle surface.

Once all burger patties are on the griddle, place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper on top of the ball of meat, and use a burger press or large spatula to smash the meat into thin patties.

If you don’t have wax paper or parchment paper, non stick cooking spray also works!

After smashing the burgers, remove the wax paper. Cook burgers for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the bottom side of the burger is cooked and crisp. Then, flip burgers and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the burgers are cooked through.

These burgers have a thin patty and get golden brown and crispy fairly quickly. For safety, make sure that each smashed burger has an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Add Cheese

During the last minute of cooking, add a slice of cheese to the top of each burger. It will melt quickly, so be ready to bring the burgers in after the cheese melts.

Toast the Buns

You can also toast buns on the griddle. It’s not necessary to toast buns, but it’s just a good idea since burgers always taste better on a toasted bun!

Just add a little butter or oil to the side of the griddle you’re not using, and place buns on the surface, cut sides down. And that’s all you need for delicious smashed burgers!

Add Toppings

You can assemble single smash burgers, or double smash burgers by making a double stack of patties. The men in the family prefer the doubles, while the girls and I love singles!

Add extra cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, burger sauce, ketchup and mustard or whatever you need for your perfect smash burgers!

How to Store and Reheat

Store any leftover smash patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they’ll last 4 to 5 days.

You can also freeze your burgers in a freezer safe container. Or, freeze your pre-portioned burger balls, defrost them, and smash them on the griddle when you’re ready. Reheat burgers in the microwave until hot. Or, reheat them on the stove.

Variations

There are a couple easy ways to customize this Blackstone smash burgers recipe.

Of course, you can make these burgers with or without cheese. We usually use American cheese, but colby jack cheese, pepper jack cheese, and sharp cheddar cheese all make delicious cheeseburgers!

In addition to the smash burgers, you can also cook bacon and onions on the Blackstone griddle at the same time. Just keep an eye on everything cooking at different temperatures!

Use whatever type of hamburger buns you like best. We usually use brioche buns, but these delicious burgers taste great with a sesame seed bun, regular white bun, and potato bun too!

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Recipe published in 2022 and updated in 2024.