Total Time: 25 mins
Servings: 4
Ingredients
Burger Sauce
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 1/2 tablespoons ketchup
1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Smash Burgers
1 1/2 pounds high-quality 80% lean ground beef
1 teaspoon canola oil
1 large yellow onion, very thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
1 large jalapeño chile, very thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup)
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
3/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
4 American cheese slices
4 soft hamburger buns, split and toasted
Directions
Make the burger sauce
Stir together all burger sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Cover, and chill until ready to use.
Make the smash burgers
Divide beef into 8 (3-ounce) portions, and shape each portion into a loose ball; place on a plate. Cover, and chill while preparing grill. Cut a 3-inch square of parchment paper; set aside. Preheat grill to high (450°F to 500°F); place a large cast-iron skillet or griddle on grill to preheat. (Alternatively, heat a flattop griddle to medium-high, or a large cast-iron skillet or griddle on the stove over high.)
Drizzle skillet evenly with oil. Working in batches if needed, arrange onion slices in 8 small mounds (about 1/4 cup each) on skillet, spacing at least 2 inches apart. Top onion mounds with jalapeño slices (about 1 tablespoon each), and sprinkle evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, undisturbed, until onions are beginning to brown, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Place 1 meat ball on each onion mound.
Top with parchment paper square, and press firmly to flatten, using a sturdy spatula or burger press, to form a 4-inch-wide patty; remove parchment paper. Repeat process with remaining meat balls and onion mounds. Sprinkle smashed patties evenly with remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cook, undisturbed, until patties begin to crisp around the edges, 2 to 3 minutes.
Flip patties so that onion-jalapeño mixture is on top. Place 1 cheese slice on each of 4 patties. Continue to cook until patties are well browned and cheese is melted, 1 minute and 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Top each cheese-covered patty with a plain patty to create 4 double stacks. Transfer each stack to a bottom bun. Spread about 1 tablespoon burger sauce on each top bun; place on top of patties. Serve immediately.
About this recipe
Caramelized onions and jalapeños take these double-stacked smash burgers to the next level. Inspired by Oklahoma onion burgers, this recipe calls for paper-thin slices of onion to be pressed directly into the flattened patties, which sandwich melty American cheese. Jalapeños add just the right amount of heat, while a classic burger sauce of mayo, ketchup, Worcestershire, and spices balances every bite with a sweet, umami-forward flavor.
The secret to achieving the most delicious success here? Start the onions, then smash the meat on top. This gives the onions time to brown and soften under the crispy-edged patties. Plus, cooking the patties on high heat for a short duration ensures they’ll achieve a caramelized crust while the interior remains juicy.
