Name: Smash Burger Grilled Cheese with Special Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb Ground Beef; Kosher Salt, to taste; Fresh Cracked Pepper, to taste; ½ cup Smashburger Sauce (plus extra for serving); 1 small Onion, thinly sliced; 8 slices Hearty White Bread; 8 slices American Cheese; 2 cups Havarti Cheese, shredded; ⅓ cup Sliced Dill Pickle Chips; 2 tablespoons Salted Butter

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Introduction

This Smash Burger Grilled Cheese is a delicious twist on two classic comfort foods. Juicy smashed beef patties paired with melty American and Havarti cheeses, tangy pickles, and a special sauce make for an irresistible sandwich perfect for any craving.

A grilled sandwich cut diagonally into two parts sits on a white plate with a thin grey rim. The sandwich has three main layers: golden brown toasted bread on top and bottom with a slightly rough texture, a middle layer of melted yellow and white cheese that oozes out slightly, and a visible layer of dark brown grilled meat beneath the cheese. The sandwich looks crispy on the outside with a soft, gooey inside. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 lb Ground Beef
1 small Onion, thinly sliced
½ cup Smashburger Sauce
8 slices Hearty White Bread
8 slices American Cheese
2 cups Havarti Cheese, shredded
⅓ cup Sliced Dill Pickle Chips
2 tablespoons Salted Butter
Kosher Salt
Fresh Cracked Pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Divide the ground beef into four equal portions and roll each into a ball.
Step 2: Heat a large cast iron skillet or flat top griddle until it is super hot and just starting to smoke.
Step 3: Place the beef balls on the hot surface. Season each with a pinch of kosher salt, fresh cracked pepper, about 1 teaspoon of Smashburger sauce, and some sliced onion.
Step 4: Cover each ball with a piece of wax or parchment paper, then smash down firmly with a thin metal spatula and a heavy object like a sandwich press or meat mallet to flatten the patties.
Step 5: Cook until the patties begin caramelizing and are about 60% cooked through. Flip carefully, scraping up any browned bits from the surface.
Step 6: Immediately top each patty with 2 slices of American cheese and allow it to melt. The burgers are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Step 7: Reduce heat to low. Spread 1 tablespoon of Smashburger sauce onto four slices of bread.
Step 8: Melt half of the butter on a clean part of the skillet. Place the four sauced bread slices butter-side down on the skillet.
Step 9: Carefully flip each cheeseburger patty cheese side down onto the sauced bread slices. Top each with pickle slices and evenly sprinkle shredded Havarti cheese over them.
Step 10: Place the remaining bread slices on top, butter the outside of the sandwiches with the remaining butter.
Step 11: Cook until the bottom bread is golden brown and the cheese is melting, then carefully flip and cook the other side until golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.
Step 12: Remove the sandwiches from heat and let them rest for 1 minute before serving. Serve with extra Smashburger sauce for dipping.

Tips & Variations

Use fresh, thick-cut bread for better structure and to hold all the fillings without getting soggy.
Add caramelized onions instead of raw for a sweeter flavor.
Try swapping Havarti for Monterey Jack or Cheddar for a different cheese profile.
For added heat, mix some hot sauce into the Smashburger sauce or add sliced jalapeños.

Storage

Store leftover sandwiches wrapped tightly in foil or plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to maintain the crispy bread and melted cheese. Avoid microwaving to keep the bread from becoming soggy.

How to Serve

A close-up of a grilled cheese sandwich held by a woman's hand, showing two thick slices of golden-brown toasted bread. Inside, there are two layers of melted cheese—one light yellow and creamy, the other white and gooey—covering a layer of browned cooked ground beef in the middle. The cheese melts over the edges of the beef and bread, creating a soft, stringy texture. The background shows a white marbled surface with a white plate with a thin dark rim, slightly blurred. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of beef for the patties?

Yes, ground chuck with around 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio works best for juicy smash burgers, but you can use other blends if preferred.

What if I don’t have Smashburger sauce?

You can make a quick substitute by mixing mayonnaise, ketchup, a little mustard, and some finely chopped pickles or relish.