Go Back
A freshly made smash burger with a perfectly seared patty and melted cheese

Ultimate Crispy Smash Burger with Caramelized Onions and Pickled Jalapeños

This recipe guides you through making the ultimate crispy smash burgers, featuring savory caramelized onions and a kick from pickled jalapeños. Perfect for a satisfying meal, this burger delivers on flavor and texture.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 4 burgers

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • cast-iron skillet or griddle
  • metal spatula or burger press
  • thin, sturdy spatula

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef, 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio (450g)
  • 4 burger buns (brioche, potato rolls, or sesame seed)
  • 4 American cheese (or sharp cheddar/Monterey Jack)
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil (for cooking)
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Caramelized Onions

  • 2 yellow onions, thinly sliced large
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional, for caramelizing onions)

Toppings

  • 1/2 cup pickled jalapeño slices, drained
  • 1/4 cup fresh arugula or spring mix

Homemade Burger Sauce (optional)

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tsp relish
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder (mixed together)

Instructions
 

Caramelized Onions

  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat, then add thinly sliced onions. Cook slowly for 25-35 minutes until golden brown and sweet, stirring occasionally.
  • Optionally, add brown sugar during the last 5 minutes for extra sweetness, then set the onions aside.

Preparation

  • Divide ground beef into four 2.5-3 oz (70-85g) portions and loosely form them into balls.
  • Prepare your pickled jalapeños, arugula, and burger sauce if you plan to use it.

Cooking

  • Place a cast-iron skillet or griddle over high heat and preheat for at least 5-7 minutes until smoking hot.
  • Lightly butter the cut sides of your buns and toast them on the hot skillet for 1-2 minutes until golden brown, then set aside.
  • Lightly oil the hot skillet, then place a beef ball onto the surface.
  • Immediately press the beef ball firmly with a sturdy metal spatula or burger press into a thin patty (about 1/4 inch thick), holding the press for 10-15 seconds to ensure crust formation.
  • Season the smashed patty generously with salt and black pepper, then cook for 2-3 minutes until the edges are crispy and browned.
  • Scrape under the patty with a thin spatula to release it, preserving the crust, then flip it and immediately place a slice of cheese on top.
  • Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey.

Assembly and Serving

  • Transfer the cheesed patty to the bottom bun, spread burger sauce on the top bun (if using), and layer with caramelized onions, pickled jalapeños, and fresh arugula/spring mix.
  • Top with the other half of the bun and serve immediately.

Notes

For extra flavor, lightly toast the burger buns with a brush of butter before assembling. Adjust the amount of pickled jalapeños to your preferred spice level. If you don't have a burger press, a sturdy spatula and another flat object (like the bottom of a pot) can work as a substitute for smashing.