Smash Burger Sloppy Joes (Print)
Smash burger meets Sloppy Joe in a saucy, cheesy, family-friendly sandwich with bold American flavors.
# What You Need:
→ Meat & Base
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
14 - 4 slices American or cheddar cheese
15 - Sliced tomato (optional)
16 - Shredded lettuce (optional)
17 - Butter for toasting buns
# How to Make:
01 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp butter and let it melt completely. Add the ground beef, spreading it into an even layer. Press down firmly with a spatula to achieve the signature smash burger crust. Cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until a deep brown sear forms, then break the meat apart into crumbles.
02 - Add the diced onion to the beef and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in the chopped pickles, ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Mix thoroughly and let the mixture simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick and saucy.
04 - While the meat mixture simmers, butter the cut sides of each hamburger bun. Toast on a separate pan or griddle over medium heat until golden brown and crisp.
05 - Lay cheese slices directly over the hot meat mixture in the skillet. Allow them to melt slightly from the residual heat, then remove the skillet from heat.
06 - Spoon the cheesy beef mixture generously onto the bottom half of each toasted bun. Add sliced tomato and shredded lettuce if desired. Cap with the top bun and serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It takes everything irresistible about a smash burger and folds it into a saucy weeknight meal that barely takes half an hour.
- The pickle pieces tucked into the sauce deliver tiny bursts of tang that catch people off guard in the best way.
02 -
- Do not stir the beef immediately after putting it in the pan because that crust is where all the concentrated burger flavor lives.
- A splash of pickle juice stirred into the sauce at the end is a move that sounds weird until you taste it and realize it changes everything.
03 -
- Toast the buns in the beef drippings left on the pan edge for a flavor boost that costs zero extra effort.
- Let the finished meat rest off heat for two minutes before assembling so the sauce thickens slightly and stays put instead of running everywhere.