Creating a delicious burger doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. This 15-minute triple smash burger recipe delivers a flavor explosion with crispy bacon, melted American cheese, and a tangy burger sauce, all nestled between toasted brioche buns. The secret lies in the smashing technique, which maximizes the meaty crust and creates an unforgettable burger experience.
Start by preparing the bacon. Cut a thick slice of bacon in half and place it on a cold griddle. Cook over medium-low heat to slowly render the fat and achieve optimal crispiness. Starting the bacon on a cold griddle prevents curling and ensures even cooking.
While the bacon sizzles, prepare the burger sauce. Combine two parts mayonnaise, one part horseradish, one part hot sauce, one part mustard, and one part honey. Add a pinch of garlic powder, smoked paprika, and seven cranks of black pepper. Stir thoroughly, taste, and adjust seasonings to your liking.
Bacon cooking on a griddle
Next, finely slice romaine lettuce. Romaine lettuce provides a sturdy base for the burger and holds up well to the heat and weight of the patties. Prepare the other toppings: pickled onions, American cheese slices, and your preferred burger buns (brioche buns work exceptionally well).
Weigh out six ounces of 80/20 ground beef (or your preferred blend) and divide it into three two-ounce loosely packed piles. Loosely packing the beef contributes to a more textured patty once smashed.
Ingredients for triple smash burger laid out
Check the bacon. It should be crispy and have rendered most of its fat. Use the rendered bacon fat to toast the burger buns on the griddle. This adds a subtle smoky flavor and a delightful richness to the buns.
Place the ground beef piles on the hot griddle, season with salt, and smash down firmly using a wide, flat spatula. This maximizes contact with the griddle, creating a desirable crust. A short and wide spatula, like the Winco TKP41, is ideal for smash burgers.
Smashing ground beef on griddle
Allow the burgers to develop a crust for 30-60 seconds. Scrape the burgers from the griddle and flip them over. Immediately place American cheese slices on two of the patties to encourage melting. After another 20-30 seconds, stack the patties and cheese to create a burger tower.
Begin assembling the burger. Place the bottom bun (toasted in bacon fat) on a plate and spread a generous amount of burger sauce. Add the shredded romaine lettuce, crispy bacon, and the burger-cheese tower.
Top with pickled onions for a tangy counterpoint to the richness of the meat and cheese. Add more burger sauce to the top bun and place it on the burger.
Assembled triple smash burger
The resulting burger is a juicy, meaty masterpiece with a satisfying crunch from the bacon and a delightful balance of flavors and textures. The thin, crispy patties, combined with the melted cheese and fresh toppings, create an umami bomb that will tantalize your taste buds. The romaine lettuce, pickled onions, and tangy burger sauce cut through the richness of the meat and cheese, providing a refreshing contrast. This triple smash burger is a quick and easy way to elevate your burger game and enjoy a truly satisfying meal.
