How to Make Crispy Juicy Smash Burgers at Home

Let’s talk about the ultimate burger upgrade: the smash burger.

If you’ve never made one at home, get ready to change the game. Smash burgers are known for that crispy, caramelized crust the kind you usually only get at a legit burger joint. But when you cook it on a ripping hot Baking Steel? Next level. This is where crispy meets juicy in the best way possible.

Why Smash Burgers Work

The beauty of a smash burger is all about surface area. When you press that beef ball onto a ripping hot surface, the meat makes full contact and starts to brown instantly. That’s the Maillard reaction aka flavor magic. You’re not just cooking a burger; you’re creating texture and depth with every sear.

But here’s the kicker: most home surfaces just don’t get hot enough, or they lose heat too quickly. Cast iron is good, but the Baking Steel? It’s a heat-retaining beast. Made from high-carbon steel, it transfers heat like no other. That means intense sear, consistent temperature, and burgers that taste like they came off a professional flattop.

Why the Baking Steel Is a Smash Burger Weapon

🔥 Why the Baking Steel Is a Smash Burger Weapon

The Baking Steel doesn’t flinch. It holds onto blazing heat like a champ, which means every patty gets that same gorgeous crust — edge to edge, burger after burger. This is how you build flavor and texture that rivals your favorite burger joint.

And don’t stop there. Ditch the fryer and use your Steel to bake crispy, golden fries right alongside. Burgers and fries? One surface. One steel.

We're not just talking burgers here either. This slab of high-carbon steel can do it all pizza, steaks, artisan breads you name it. But today, we're giving it the spotlight it deserves: burger mode activated.

The Baking Steel Mini about to Smash

How To Make a Smash Burger on the Baking Steel

Ingredients:

• Ground beef (80/20 or 85/15 is money)

• Sliced cheese (American or cheddar are classics)

• Soft buns we love brioche

• Your go-to toppings (lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, sauce)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your Baking Steel Griddle on high heat for 15 minutes. You want it smoking hot.

2. Form your ground beef into 2-3 oz balls. Don’t overwork it.  Gentle should be on your mind.

3. Place each ball on the steel and smash it down with a firm spatula. Press hard. We’re going thin.

4. Let it sear for 30-45 seconds until those edges start to crisp.

5. Scrape underneath to loosed, then Flip. Cook another 30-45 seconds.

6. Add your cheese right after the flip so it melts.

7. Build your burger and serve hot.

You’ll get that crunchy edge, the juicy middle, and that craveable burger flavor that makes people ask, "Where’d you get this?"

Final Thoughts

The smash burger is one of those things that seems simple, but when done right, it’s unforgettable. And with the Baking Steel, you can pull it off like a pro, right from your home kitchen.

So yeah, you can make a decent burger on a skillet. But if you want something that hits harder, tastes better, and looks like you know what you’re doing? Smash it on steel.

And hey, we didn’t just stumble into this. The Baking Steel was born from passion, forged in a family steel shop, and inspired by a lifelong obsession with great food.

Ready to elevate your burger game? Fire up that steel and let’s get to work.