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How to Make the Tastiest Smash Burgers on a Teppanyaki Flat Top Grill | Chris Cooks

May 28, 2023

Once upon a time, I made an ebook called "Chris Loves Burgers" because it's true – I do! You can find a link for it, along with 3 of my favorite burger recipes, in this post here, but one thing the eBook fails to have a recipe for is smash burgers. The smash burger is the ultimate burger experience. You have more crust, which means more texture and flavor. Stacked, thin patties with that browning will win over thick patties every time, and when you layer in American cheese (which is the prime cheeseburger cheese–doesn’t matter what the haters say), you get a more favorable cheese-to-meat ratio. But ultimately, you need a good flat cooking surface to smash them on, and the Dometic Twin Eagles Teppanyaki is the perfect flat-top grill for the job. Keep scrolling for a surprise!

Chris Loves Julia | Chris prepping the smash burgers

Back when we shared the reveal of the outdoor kitchen, I specifically raved about how the Teppanyaki flat top is ideal for making smash burgers, but you can cook practically anything on it: bacon & eggs, pancakes, grilled sandwiches, tacos, kebabs, and more traditionally, hibachi style stir-fry. Because of the flat surface, a teppan is going to catch all the yummy juice flavors, as opposed to a grill. Also, the thermostatically controlled burners are a unique feature of the teppanyaki and really helps ensure consistent results. And when it comes to smash burgers, you want to retain all that juice from a flat top.

Chris Loves Julia | Chris using a press to smash the burgers

The first time I had a smash burger was from a small diner in Louisiana, the name of which I can’t even remember. I was 20, it was a crazy hot day, and I had been out on a bike all morning. We stopped for lunch at this diner, and I just remember eating that cheeseburger, the crispy fries, chasing it all down with a cold pop. It was a moment of bliss that I don’t know can ever be recreated. I don’t think I could find that restaurant again even if I tried.

Chris Loves Julia | Smash burgers cooking on a flat top grill outside

This smash burger isn’t breaking any new ground (I even use Kraft singles), but it is nailing every detail for the perfect burger experience. The seasoning, the sauce, the pickles. The addition of the caramelized onions are one of my favorite details, and it all just works. But it’s also super easy to build from if someone wants to get more complicated with it. But I’d encourage keeping it simple the first go around.

Chris Loves Julia | Overhead of burger buns on the flat top

We recently completed our exterior renovation, front and back, and I think you could have guessed that the outdoor kitchen is my favorite of all. Since its' completion in December, I've used it every moment I could, but this will be my first summer with it, and I'm practically giddy.

Chris Loves Julia | Twin Eagles grill

My biggest priority for the outdoor kitchen was getting to use the most premium grilling products I’ve had my eyes on for years – the Twin Eagles Collection by Dometic Home. I raved about my ongoing crush on them in my ultimate grill guide, so getting to team together to make this outdoor kitchen a reality has been such a bucket-list item.

Chris Loves Julia | Chris adding pickles to the smash burger

The reality of being able to cook the burgers from start to finish in this kitchen is a pinch-me moment. I'm talking chopping, mixing the sauce, prepping and refrigerating the pickles, to cooking, assembling, and serving the burgers. There's not a lot of going back and forth inside to outside, which is just downright convenient.

Chris Loves Julia | Chris holding the tastiest smash burger

The tastiest smash burgers recipe

Smash Burgers - Way Better Than Grilled

Recipe by Chris Marcum
0.0 from 0 votes
Course: Main CourseCuisine: American
Servings

8

Prep time

20

minutes
Cooking time

15

minutes

All the best burger spots cook their burgers on a flat top. And the Smash Burger is the pinnacle of the flat-top-cooked burger. This simple mix of ingredients and techniques yields a perfect burger, every time.

Ingredients

Directions

  • Make the pickles
  • In a pot, combine the water, vinegar, salt, and honey. Bring to a boil.
  • While that's heating, add the cucumber slices to a canning jar, layered with garlic cloves and dill.
  • Once the brine boils, turn off the heat and pour the liquid into the jar, making sure all the cucumbers are covered. Cover loosely and set aside to cool for 30 minutes, then put in the fridge for up to a month. Can be used immediately.
  • Other Prep
  • Make the burger dust by adding the ingredients to a spice grinder or small-capacity food processor. Run it until it's a very fine powder. Place in a spice shaker and use for all kinds of things, but burgers especially.
  • Make the burger sauce by whisking together the ingredients. Put in a jar with a lid and store in the fridge for up to a month or more.
  • Portion the patties into 16 balls. Leave them as balls of beef - do not smash at this time.
  • Cook the burgers
  • Heat your flat top cooker to 375. Brush some beef tallow across the whole surface.
  • Add the onions in small piles, evenly spaced out. Sprinkle a little of the burger dust on each, then place one of the balls of beef on top of each pile of onions. Sprinkle more of the burger dust on each beef portion.
  • Spray a spatula or burger press with a little avocado oil. Use it to smash the beef ball into the onions on the flat top.
  • Once the patty looks like it's cooked more than halfway through, use a large spatula or scraper to scrape the onions and patty up and flip over. If desired, add a slice of American cheese on each patty.
  • Assemble the burgers
  • Stack the patties in twos. On your bun or lettuce wrap, add your sauce, tomato slice, the burger patties, and pickles. A little more sauce if desired. Enjoy!

Equipment

  • Twin Eagles Dometic Flat Top Cooker
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  1. Looks great! We make your hash all the time. What can I substitute for the spicy pepper relish in the sauce?

  2. Chris, you've just unlocked the secret to my heart! 🍔😋 Seriously, these look insanely delicious. Can't wait to fire up the grill and try my hand at creating burger perfection.

  3. How easy is it to clean the top? I am used to a conventional grill and regularly scrub the metal grids in my kitchen since they easily fit in the sink. We live in an area full of wildlife and they will happily pop up on the patio at night. As cute as they are, I don’t want to wake up to the sound of baby foxes trying to break into my grill!

  4. How many burgers do you make with the 3lbs? About how long should it cook?… I need more step by step directions 😆

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