smash burger
Flattened, crispy-edged burger
A smash burger is a hamburger made by pressing a ball of ground beef flat against a hot griddle, creating a thin patty with crispy, caramelized edges.
The technique maximizes the Maillard reaction—the browning that produces intense beef flavor.
Smash burgers are often stacked in doubles or triples: I'll take a double smash burger with cheese.
Flat metal cooking surface
- searBurn the outside
- flat-topShort hair, level surface
- caramelizationSugar's heat transformation
- MaillardSurname behind browning
cast-iron · pressing · spatula · scraping · browning · charred · crispy edges · crust
Bovine meat for eating
- ground chuckCoarse-minced beef shoulder
- American cheeseMild processed dairy slices
- brioche bunEnriched yeast roll
- lettuceLeafy salad vegetable
tomato · onions · pickles · mustard · ketchup · mayo · special sauce · caramelized onions
Brittle and snapping
dripping · succulent · crust · lacy · charred · caramelized · sizzling · mouthwatering
Currently in vogue
- foodieCasual term for epicure
- InstagrammableVisually appealing for sharing
- comfort foodEmotionally consoling dishes
- AmericanFrom the U.S.
indulgence · nostalgia · satisfying · guilty pleasure · viral · buzzworthy · gourmet · artisanal
Casual American eatery
- fast casualRestaurant tier, counter-ordered
- drive-thruVehicle-accessible service window
- counter serviceOrder and collect yourself
- takeoutRestaurant food for elsewhere
franchise · chain · menu · Shake Shack · Smashburger · In-N-Out · Five Guys · food truck
griddle
Flat metal cooking surface
- searBurn the outside
- flat-topShort hair, level surface
- caramelizationSugar's heat transformation
Maillard · cast-iron · pressing · spatula · scraping · browning · charred · crispy edges · crust · sizzle
beef
Bovine meat for eating
- ground chuckCoarse-minced beef shoulder
- American cheeseMild processed dairy slices
- brioche bunEnriched yeast roll
lettuce · tomato · onions · pickles · mustard · ketchup · mayo · special sauce · caramelized onions · bacon
crispy
Brittle and snapping
greasy · dripping · succulent · crust · lacy · charred · caramelized · sizzling · mouthwatering · savory
trendy
Currently in vogue
- foodieCasual term for epicure
- InstagrammableVisually appealing for sharing
- comfort foodEmotionally consoling dishes
American · indulgence · nostalgia · satisfying · guilty pleasure · viral · buzzworthy · gourmet · artisanal · hipster
diner
Casual American eatery
- fast casualRestaurant tier, counter-ordered
- drive-thruVehicle-accessible service window
- counter serviceOrder and collect yourself
takeout · franchise · chain · menu · Shake Shack · Smashburger · In-N-Out · Five Guys · food truck · pop-up
- pattiesbeef patty, chicken patty, pork patty, turkey patty, sausage patty
smash, burger, smashed, smashing, smasher, smashes, burgers, hamburger, hamburgers