Smash Burger Sloppy Joes (Printable version)
Smashed beef in tangy sauce with melted cheese on toasted buns. Comfort food at its finest.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meat & Fat
01 - 1 lb ground beef, 80/20 blend preferred
02 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1/2 cup dill pickles, finely chopped
→ Sauce & Seasonings
06 - 1/2 cup ketchup
07 - 2 tbsp yellow mustard
08 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 tbsp brown sugar
10 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
12 - Salt to taste
→ To Serve
13 - 4 hamburger buns, toasted
14 - 4 slices American or cheddar cheese
15 - Sliced tomato and shredded lettuce, optional
16 - Butter for toasting buns
# Directions:
01 - Set a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp unsalted butter and allow it to fully melt across the cooking surface.
02 - Add the ground beef to the skillet, spreading it into an even layer. Press down firmly with a spatula to achieve a crispy smash-style crust. Cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes until deeply browned on the bottom, then break the meat into smaller pieces.
03 - Add the finely diced onion to the beef and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in the chopped dill pickles, ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Mix thoroughly and let the mixture simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick and saucy.
05 - While the beef simmers, butter the cut sides of the hamburger buns. Place them face-down on a separate pan or griddle over medium heat and toast until golden brown.
06 - Lay a slice of cheese over the hot beef mixture. Allow it to melt slightly from the residual heat, then remove the skillet from the burner.
07 - Spoon the cheesy beef mixture generously onto the bottom half of each toasted bun. Add sliced tomato and shredded lettuce if desired, then cap with the top bun. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- The smashing technique creates those crispy, jagged edges that taste pure diner magic without needing a flat top grill.
- Everything cooks in one skillet, which means dinner is on the table in half an hour and you are not drowning in dishes.
02 -
- Pressing the beef flat and leaving it alone is the single most important step because moving it too early robs you of that critical caramelized crust.
- Simmering uncovered is what transforms a watery mixture into something thick enough to stay on the bun, so resist the urge to cover the pan.
03 -
- Use a heavy spatula or even a second smaller pan to press the beef flat because more pressure means more surface contact and more of those irresistible crispy bits.
- Let the filling rest off the heat for two minutes before assembling because the sauce thickens further as it cools slightly and stays on the bun instead of running down your wrists.