You certainly don't need a burger bun to enjoy smash burgers! This recipe is great for those on a carnivore diet, keto diet, animal-based diet, or low carb diet (but can and should be enjoyed by anyone).
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Ever since I started the carnivore diet years ago, burger patties have become a "go to" meal for me! They are nutrient dense, affordable, easy to make, and absolutely delicious.
Personally, I've never been huge fan of plain ground beef, but when its formed into a burger patty with cheese on top it's a completely different experience. I have gone for days where I've literally eaten nothing but burger patties and I don't get sick of them!
We've tried lots of different cooking methods for burgers and lately have been loving smash burgers. Here's how to make them! Hope you enjoy.
Cooking Tips & FAQ
Tips for making the best smash burgers
Make sure your cast iron skillet is plenty hot before adding your ground beef. This will help the crust to form properly!
Keep in mind these thin burger patties cook very quickly at a high heat! Cook each side one to two minutes max.
Invest in a burger press if you can! There are plenty of cheap options on amazon and it will be a game changer for making burger patties.
Don't use pre-formed burger patties for smash burgers. These are going to be much too thick and it's important to smash them on the pan to form the crust!
We've tried many different fat contents (from very fatty to very lean) and have found that 80/20 works perfectly for smash burgers. But it will still taste great regardless of the fat content.
Will the burger patties stick to the pan?
A little bit, but that actually helps for the tasty crust on your burger! If your cast iron is well seasoned they should be flipped very easily with a spatula.
Can I use something other than a cast iron pan to cook them?
Yes! We often use our Blackstone griddle and love it because we can make the bacon and fried eggs for the burgers all at the same time. It's also great because it keeps the mess contained and away from the kitchen.
I wouldn't recommend using a teflon or ceramic pan for smash burgers. You might be able to get away with stainless steel, but I'd recommend cast iron or a griddle that does well with high heat.
Where can I source high quality grass-fed beef?
If you can't find a good local source, these are some great regenerative farms that ship their meats right to your doorstep:
White Oak Pastures (code: RIBEYERACH)
Northstar Bison (code: RIBEYERACH)
REP Provisions (code: RIBEYERACH15)
What type of cheese do you recommend?
Personally I love raw cheddar, gouda, or pepperjack. My husband likes to use organic American cheese. It's tough to go wrong!
Can I add spices and other toppings to my burger patties?
Of course! Now that I'm no longer doing a strict carnivore diet, I enjoy adding seasonings and grilled onions (carmelized in butter) to my burgers. They taste great with or without toppings.
If you try this recipe, let me know what you think in the comments down below! Thank you so much for visiting my blog. Be sure to follow along on Instagram and YouTube for more recipes and fun content!