Smash Burger With Onion
A smash burger with onion is a simple yet iconic dish that has taken the food world by storm, not just because it’s quick and easy to make and offers an unparalleled, juicy, and flavorful experience. Smash burgers are made by searing ground beef in a hot fryer or skillet to achieve a crispy, caramelized crust while keeping the inside moist and juicy. The onion is an essential ingredient that enhances the Smash Burger flavor. Thinly sliced, caramelized, or raw, onions add a delicious balance of sweetness, tang, and bite, making them the perfect topping for this burger.
In this guide, we’ll dive deep into everything you need to know about making the best smash burger with onions, from choosing the right meat to perfecting the technique, choosing the toppings, and preparing the onions just right. Let’s crush!
What is a Smash Burger?
A smash burger with onion is not your traditional thick-patty burger. It is made by pressing a ball of ground beef onto a hot surface, resulting in a thin patty with a crispy, brown crust and juicy interior. The idea behind searing is to maximize the surface area of ​​the meat in contact with the hot cooking surface, allowing for greater caramelization on the outside—also known as the Maillard reaction—while the inside remains tender and flavorful.
Smash technique
The smash technique involves using a heavy spatula or burger press to firmly press a ball of ground beef onto a griddle or skillet. It’s important to give the burger a quick pat down as soon as it’s placed on the hot surface and then let it cook undisturbed until it gets the desired doneness.
Cooking Tools:
For best results, I always like to use my grill. This is the best way to manage these burgers’ cooking zones and surface area.
In addition to the grill, you need a mandolin to thinly slice the onion for perfect results. Be sure to use protection, they usually come with a guard to protect your fingers.
Now you need a burger smasher, which is the best way to smash those onions into the beef. The cooking pots are flimsy and you will be turning them around too much to get a consistent evenly crumbly patty. Burger presses are great for having the best flat patty.
Why onions improve a Smash burger
Onions bring a variety of flavors and textures that perfectly complement the crispy and juicy smash patty. Whether caramelized or raw, onions add a subtle sweetness and a crunch that enhances every bite.
Caramelized Onions: Cooked slowly until soft and golden brown, caramelized onions provide a rich, sweet flavor that pairs well with salty and savory beef.
Chopped Raw Onions: Thinly sliced ​​onions add a sharp, fresh bite that contrasts with the leanness of the burger.
Fried Onions: Embedding onions into the beef patty while cooking creates a rich, caramelized flavor that melds with the beef, enhancing the smash burger with an onion taste.
Ingredients for the Perfect Smash Burger
Meat selection
The mainstay of a smash burger with onion is meat and for best results, you’ll want to use ground beef that’s 80% lean and 20% lean. This ratio ensures that the burger remains juicy and flavorful. For an enhanced burger experience, consider combining ground chuck, brisket, and short ribs to introduce different textures and flavors.
Onion preparation
Thinly sliced ​​yellow or brown onions: For the Smash Burger, thinly slicing the onions ensures they cook evenly and blend into the patty. Use a mandolin or a sharp knife to achieve paper-thin slices.
If you’re aiming for caramelized onions, cook them slowly in a little butter or oil over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until they’re golden and soft. It’s a time investment, but the resulting sweetness is worth it.
The mainstay of a Smash Burger is meat and for best results, you’ll want to use ground beef that’s 80% lean and 20% lean. For an enhanced burger experience, consider combining ground chuck, brisket, and short ribs to introduce different textures and flavors.
Burger toppingsWhile onions are an important ingredient, Smash Burgers also benefit from a variety of other toppings. Here are some ideas:
Cheese: Classic American cheese is the go-to for the Smash Burger due to its perfect melting properties, but cheddar, Swiss or provolone can also work.
Pickles: The acidity of the pickles cuts through the richness of the beef and cheese, providing a bright, tangy flavor.
Lettuce and Tomato: A crisp layer of iceberg lettuce and slices of tomato add freshness and texture to the burger.
Special Sauce: A good sauce is the key to balance the flavors. Try mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, and hot sauce for classic burger sauces.
A step-by-step guide to making the perfect Smash Burger with Onions
Step 1: Gather your ingredients
Ground Beef (80/20)
Yellow or brown onion (thinly sliced)
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
American cheese slices
Burger buns (especially brioche)
Butter or oil for the pan
Toppings: Pickles, lettuce, tomato, special sauce
Step 2: Prepare the meat
Take your ground beef and cut into portions of 3-4 ounces each. Roll them into loose meatballs, but be careful not to pack them too tightly, as this can affect the texture of the burger. Set them aside while you prepare your onions and other toppings.
Preheat your barbecue and include the burger balls- turn your burners to tall and let your barbecue warm up for 10 minutes. You can add a splash of olive oil if your roast is not done properly.
From here, add the burger balls to the grill (leaving a decent amount of space between them, about 3-4 inches) and top with a handful of chopped onions. Don’t be shy, load them up! Now, flatten the balls as much as possible and season them. Grilled burgers
Let them cook for 3-4 minutes and flip the back side of the patties. After 1-2 minutes, include the American cheese and put the beat bun on best and the foot bun on the beat of the beat bun. Close the lid and let them steam.
Step 3: Prepare the onions
If you choose caramelized onions, heat a skillet over medium heat and add butter or a tablespoon of oil. Stir in the thinly sliced ​​onions and cook slowly until golden brown and tender, about 20-30 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and set aside.
Alternatively, if you prefer raw onions, thinly slice them and keep them ready for assembly.
Step 4: Toast the buns
Lightly butter the inside of your burger buns and toast them in a skillet or griddle until they’re golden and crispy. This step not only adds flavor but also keeps the buns from getting soggy once the burgers are assembled.
Step 5: Break up the burgers
Heat your skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat until it’s very hot. Add a little oil or butter to the surface. Place a ball of ground beef on the hot surface and immediately break it up with a spatula or burger press. This creates the crispy edges and caramelized crust that define a smash burger.
Season the patties with salt and pepper and cook first about 2 minutes, or until the edges are crisp and the top begins to cook.
Step 6: Add the onion
For fried onions, place some thinly sliced ​​onions directly on top of the burger patty. Gently press the onion into the beef with your spatula. This technique allows the onions to caramelize while cooking in the patty, infusing the burger with their flavor.
Step 7: Flip the burger and add the cheese
Using a spatula, carefully flip the burger patty. Immediately place a slice of American cheese on top and cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute or until the cheese melts.
Step 8: Assemble the Burgers
Spread a generous amount of your special sauce on both the top and bottom buns. Add your pickles, lettuce or any other toppings of your choice. Place the burger patty (with its melted cheese and caramelized onions) on the bottom bun and the top half of the bun on top.
Step 9: Serve and Enjoy!
Serve your Smash Burger piping hot with crispy fries or onion rings for the ultimate dinner experience.
Why smash burgers with onion are better than traditional burgers
The Smash Burger is superior to the traditional Fat Burger in several ways:
Crispy Crust: The Maillard reaction that occurs when the patty hits the hot fryer creates an aromatic, crispy crust.
Quick cooking time: Because Smash Burgers are thin, they cook quickly, making them perfect for a quick, tasty meal.
Juicy interior: Despite being lean, the meat’s high-fat content keeps the interior juicy and ensures a plump exterior.
Enhanced Flavor: The burger patty helps lock in all the juices, while the onions, cheese, and toppings provide a perfect balance of flavors.
Making the perfect smash burger with onions is an art form that anyone can master with a little practice and proper technique. From selecting the best meat to mastering the smash and topping with perfectly prepared onions, every step contributes to a delicious, diner-style burger experience. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or just craving a quick, satisfying meal, Smash Burger delivers on all fronts.
