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Judy John

Garlic Bread Smash Burgers

Crispy-edged smash burgers layered with melted cheese and garlicky buttery bread. This fun twist delivers juicy beef, crunchy edges, and plenty of comfort-food flavor.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 burgers
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 760
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Garlic Butter Bread
  • 4 sturdy burger buns (240 g) or thick slices of French bread — halved
  • 3 tablespoons (42 g) unsalted butter — softened
  • 3 cloves (9 g) garlic — finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon (4 g) fresh parsley — chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1.5 g) salt
Smash Burgers
  • 1 pound (450 g) ground beef — 80/20 preferred
  • 1 teaspoon (3 g) garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon (3 g) smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon (3 g) salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) neutral oil — for the skillet
Cheese and Toppings
  • 4 slices (80 g) American or cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup (60 g) dill pickles — sliced
  • 1/2 small (75 g) yellow onion — thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup (60 g) mayonnaise — optional
  • 2 tablespoons (30 g) ketchup — optional
  • 1 tablespoon (15 g) yellow mustard — optional
  • 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) red pepper flakes — optional

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Small Bowl
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Baking Sheet
  • Spatula
  • Bench Scraper
  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Chef's Knife
  • Cutting Board
  • Oven
  • Broiler
  • Serving Platter

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F). Mix softened butter, minced garlic, parsley, and salt in a small bowl until evenly combined.
  2. Spread the garlic butter generously over the cut sides of the buns or bread. Place them butter-side up on a baking sheet.
  3. Bake the bread for 5 to 7 minutes until the edges become crisp and the centers stay soft. Broil briefly for deeper browning if desired.
  4. Divide the ground beef into 8 loose portions. Season lightly with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  5. Heat a large skillet over high heat until very hot. Add the oil and place four beef portions into the pan with plenty of space.
  6. Immediately smash each portion firmly with a spatula or burger press until very thin. Hold pressure for about 10 seconds to create a wide, even patty.
  7. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes without moving the patties, until the bottoms develop a deeply browned, crisp crust. Flip and cook another 1 to 2 minutes.
  8. Place a cheese slice over each patty. Cook for about 30 seconds until the cheese melts. Repeat with the remaining beef portions.
  9. Stack two patties together for each burger. Keep the crisp browned sides facing outward so every bite includes the signature smash-burger crust.
  10. Spread mayonnaise, ketchup, or mustard over the toasted garlic bread. Add pickles and sliced onion, keeping the toppings balanced so the bread stays sturdy.
  11. Place the double patties onto the prepared garlic bread. Press the sandwich together gently without crushing the crisp edges.
  12. Serve immediately while the patties remain juicy, the cheese stays melted, and the garlic bread remains crisp outside and tender inside.

Notes

Use a hot skillet and loose beef portions for the crispest smash-burger crust. Do not overwork the beef because compact patties can become dense. For softer garlic bread, bake only until lightly golden. For crispier bread, broil briefly while watching closely. Handle the patties gently during assembly because the browned crust can break away. Keep juicy toppings such as pickles and sauces moderate so the bread stays sturdy. Customize with caramelized onions, jalapeños, bacon, mushrooms, barbecue sauce, pepper Jack, blue cheese, or a spicy mayo. Prepare the garlic butter up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate it covered. Form beef portions shortly before cooking for the best texture. Do not freeze assembled burgers because the bread becomes soggy after thawing. Freeze cooked patties separately for up to 2 months, cool completely first, then thaw overnight and reheat in a skillet. Store leftover cooked patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Toast fresh bread when reheating for better texture.