Smash Burgers With Creamy Baconnaise Sauce
These juicy smash burgers topped with homemade creamy baconnaise sauce are the perfect mix of crispy, smoky, and tangy. They’re easy to make at home and taste just like something off a gourmet food truck.
Ingredients
For the Smash Burgers:
- 1½ pounds 680 g ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
- 4 slices American cheese or cheddar
- 4 soft burger buns lightly toasted (potato or brioche)
- Optional toppings: shredded lettuce pickles, sliced onions, or tomatoes
For the Creamy Baconnaise Sauce:
- 6 strips thick-cut bacon
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika optional
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Serving:
- Fries onion rings, or a side salad
Instructions
- Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, then drain on paper towels and reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon fat.
- Finely chop the bacon and mix it with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, smoked paprika, lemon juice, and the reserved bacon fat. Season to taste and chill for 15 minutes.
- Divide ground beef into 4 loose balls (about 5–6 ounces each) and keep chilled. Brush buns with bacon fat or butter and toast cut-side down until golden.
- Heat a cast-iron skillet until smoking hot. Place a beef ball on the skillet, smash it flat (¼ inch thick), and season with salt and pepper.
- Cook 2 minutes until the edges are crisp, then flip, top with cheese, and cook 1 more minute. Repeat for the rest.
- Spread creamy baconnaise on both buns, add the cheesy patty (or two for a double stack), and layer on lettuce, pickles, onions, or tomatoes. Close the bun and serve hot with fries or a cold drink.