Blackstone Smash Burgers: Easy Griddle Guide

This article explores how to make perfect blackstone smash burgers. Learn tips and tricks for juicy, delicious results.

Table of Contents

What Makes Blackstone Smash Burgers So Special?

Blackstone smash burgers offer a unique flavor and texture. Consequently, they are a favorite for many. The method involves smashing the meat onto a hot griddle. Therefore, this creates a crispy crust and juicy interior. This guide will show you how. Therefore, you’ll learn to achieve restaurant-quality results at home. Moreover, this is a great option for a quick and satisfying meal.

Why Use a Blackstone Griddle?

The Blackstone griddle provides a large, flat surface. Moreover, this is ideal for smash burgers. In addition, the even heat distribution ensures consistent cooking. Thus, each burger gets perfectly seared. Furthermore, the high heat is important for a good crust. Using a flat top griddle simplifies the cooking process. Comparatively, other methods may lack the consistency of a griddle. Accordingly, this results in a superior burger.

Gathering Your Blackstone Smash Burgers Ingredients

To begin, you’ll need the right ingredients. High-quality ground beef is crucial. Therefore, look for an 80/20 blend. Furthermore, this blend provides the right fat content. This leads to a juicy and flavorful burger. In addition, consider the following:

Ground beef (80/20 blend)
Salt
Black pepper
Burger buns
Your favorite toppings

Additionally, having all your ingredients prepared beforehand makes the cooking process smoother. Therefore, make sure you are organized before starting.

Tips for Choosing the Right Ground Beef

Always choose fresh ground beef. Accordingly, the better the meat, the better the burger. Moreover, don’t overwork the meat. Therefore, gently form loose balls, don’t compact them. Additionally, avoid pre-made patties. Those tend to be less tender. Instead, start with loose meat. This way, you control the texture and density of the burger. Furthermore, using fresh meat allows you to adjust the seasoning as you please.

Step-by-Step Guide to Blackstone Smash Burgers

Here’s how to make blackstone smash burgers. Follow these steps carefully. Therefore, you’ll achieve that perfect burger.

Prepare the Griddle: Heat your Blackstone griddle to medium-high heat. Consequently, it should be hot before cooking. The temperature is essential for creating that perfect sear. Accordingly, let it preheat for about 5-10 minutes. This will ensure the surface is ready.
Form Meat Balls: Gently form the ground beef into loose balls. Therefore, each should be around 3-4 ounces. This size provides a good thickness for the burgers. Moreover, don’t make them too tight. The meat should be lightly shaped and loose.
Season the Meat: Sprinkle salt and pepper on each meatball. In addition, you can use other spices. However, keep it simple to start. Therefore, you can add things like garlic powder. Conversely, you can use your favorite burger seasoning blend. However, salt and pepper are always great choices.
Smash the Burgers: Place the meatball onto the griddle. Immediately, use a metal spatula or burger press to smash it. Moreover, press firmly to flatten it. It’s important to do this quickly to get a good sear. In addition, try to create an even thin patty.
Cook the First Side: Let the smash burgers cook for 2-3 minutes. Therefore, a crispy crust will form. Avoid moving them too early. This lets the crust develop. Furthermore, you should see the edges start to crisp.
Flip the Burgers: Using your spatula, scrape under each burger. Consequently, flip them over. This scraping action will get those crusty bits. Likewise, you should aim for a clean flip.
Cook the Second Side: Cook for another 1-2 minutes. Therefore, the burgers should be cooked through. In addition, the internal temperature should reach 160°F. Use a thermometer to confirm. Accordingly, this ensures your burgers are safe to eat.
Add Cheese (Optional): If desired, add cheese to the patties during the last minute. Afterward, melt it with a dome. Choose your favorite cheese type. Also, a dome helps to melt the cheese evenly.
Assemble Your Burgers: Place the patties onto burger buns. Furthermore, add your desired toppings. Toast the buns first for better texture. Then, assemble your burgers while the patties are warm.
Serve Immediately: Enjoy your delicious blackstone smash burgers right away. Serve them with your favorite sides. The burgers taste best when they are freshly made.

Achieving the Perfect Smash

Use a firm, even pressure when smashing the burger. Consequently, this creates the ideal crust. Consistent pressure is key for an even cook. Likewise, you want a thin patty to maximize the crust.
Smash the burgers quickly after placing them on the griddle. Moreover, this prevents sticking. The heat will sear it in place. Therefore, smash them down quickly.
Don’t move the burgers after smashing them. Therefore, allow them to form a crust. Patience is key here. Accordingly, let the heat work its magic.

Essential Tools for Blackstone Smash Burgers

Having the right tools makes a difference. Therefore, here’s what you’ll need:

Blackstone griddle
Metal spatula
Burger press (optional)
Meat thermometer
Buns
Toppings

Moreover, good quality tools can make your cooking more enjoyable. Specifically, these tools are ideal for smash burgers. Furthermore, ensure that all your tools are clean.

Importance of a Metal Spatula

A sturdy metal spatula is crucial. Consequently, it will help you flip and scrape the burgers. Furthermore, it should be thin enough to get under the crust. The thickness of the blade helps to get under the crusty edges. Therefore, this makes it easier to flip without ruining the burger. In addition, make sure your spatula is large enough.

Tips and Tricks for the Best Blackstone Smash Burgers

Here are some extra tips. These will help you make even better blackstone smash burgers.

Don’t overcrowd the griddle. Accordingly, cook in batches to maintain the heat. Overcrowding lowers the temperature. Therefore, you will not get the same result. In addition, ensure there is enough space.
Use parchment paper if your burgers tend to stick. In addition, this can make smashing easier. Parchment paper prevents sticking. It is especially useful if your griddle is not perfectly seasoned.
Experiment with different types of cheese. Moreover, explore other toppings. There are numerous cheese types to explore. Furthermore, try some unique toppings. This can elevate your burger.
Toast the buns on the griddle. Similarly, this adds another layer of flavor. A slightly toasted bun improves the flavor. Likewise, it can prevent the burger from getting soggy.
Use a thermometer to ensure they reach the ideal temperature. Likewise, this prevents undercooking. This is a very important step. Consequently, this ensures safe and enjoyable burgers.

Variations on the Classic Smash Burger

Feel free to get creative. For instance, try adding some fun toppings. These options can enhance your burgers. Furthermore, create signature burgers with unique combinations.

Caramelized onions
Different cheese like pepper jack or provolone
Special sauces or aiolis
Crispy fried onions or pickles
Bacon or other cured meats
Jalapeños for a spicy kick
Avocado for creamy texture
Fried egg for added richness
Lettuce and tomato for a fresh taste

The Science Behind Blackstone Smash Burgers

The Maillard reaction is crucial. Indeed, it’s what makes smash burgers so tasty. This reaction occurs between amino acids and sugars when heated. Accordingly, it creates that distinct flavor and aroma. In addition, it’s what forms the crust on the meat. This complex chemical process is what makes the burger taste so special. Therefore, the high heat on the griddle is essential to enable this.

Importance of High Heat

High heat is required. Consequently, it allows the Maillard reaction to happen. Also, this creates the best crust. Therefore, keep your griddle hot. Consistent high heat is vital. Also, this allows the process to take place properly. Therefore, ensure your griddle is preheated.

Serving and Enjoying Your Blackstone Smash Burgers

Serve your smash burgers hot. Therefore, don’t let them sit too long. Furthermore, pair them with your favorite side dishes. Here are some ideas:

French fries
Onion rings
Coleslaw
Potato salad
Sweet potato fries
Macaroni salad
Green salad
Fruit salad

Pairing Suggestions

Try pairing your burgers with a cold drink. For example, an ice-cold soda or beer works well. In addition, a simple salad is a nice touch. Consider craft sodas or a local brew. Also, a refreshing iced tea or lemonade would complement the burgers.

Keeping Your Blackstone Griddle Clean

After cooking your blackstone smash burgers, cleaning is essential. Therefore, follow these steps to keep your griddle in good shape:

Scrape off food residue with a metal spatula. The scraping should be done while the griddle is still warm. Accordingly, this will be easier.
Pour a small amount of water on the hot griddle. Afterward, let it steam for a minute. This steam will loosen any remaining debris. Consequently, making it easier to scrape off.
Scrape again, pushing debris into the grease trap. Ensure that all the leftover food goes into the designated area. This step is important to maintain a clean cooking surface.
Wipe the griddle with a paper towel. Use a clean towel and make sure to remove any moisture or food particles.
Apply a thin coat of oil to prevent rust. A light coating of oil will help protect the griddle. In addition, it will keep it ready for your next cooking session.

Maintenance Tips

Regular cleaning extends your griddle’s life. Moreover, a well-maintained griddle ensures good cooking results. Therefore, make cleaning part of your routine. After each use, clean your griddle. Consequently, this prolongs the griddle’s life. In addition, it ensures that your burgers will always taste their best.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes problems arise when cooking. Therefore, here are some common issues and solutions:

Burgers sticking: Ensure the griddle is hot enough. In addition, use oil or parchment paper. If burgers stick, it means that it might not be hot enough. Therefore, allow it to preheat further.
Uneven cooking: Check the heat distribution. Therefore, ensure all areas are hot. This is vital to achieving an even cook. Accordingly, check your griddle for hot and cold spots.
Dry burgers: Use a higher fat content beef. In addition, avoid overcooking them. A higher fat percentage will make the burger more tender. Moreover, always use a meat thermometer.
Lack of crust: Use a firmer smash. Also, ensure the griddle is hot. If you have a lack of crust, smash them harder. Also ensure the heat is sufficient.

Adjusting Your Technique

Don’t be afraid to adjust. Sometimes a slight change can make a big difference. Accordingly, practice makes perfect. Pay attention to details while cooking. Adjust your technique accordingly.

Exploring Further: Advanced Blackstone Smash Burgers Techniques

Once you’ve mastered the basics, explore advanced techniques. These will enhance your burgers even more. For example, you can try:

Adding a “secret” sauce to the meat during smashing. This infuses flavor directly into the patty. Similarly, this adds a unique twist to your burgers.
Infusing your burger with herbs by using seasoned oil on the griddle. Use various fresh herbs. Accordingly, this can elevate your burger’s flavor profile.
Using different types of meat blends. Explore different combinations of ground beef. Also, try ground chuck or brisket.
Trying different cheese pairings. Experiment with various cheeses from around the world. Moreover, this can lead to exciting combinations.
Adding various toppings to take the burgers to the next level. Think outside the box when adding your toppings. Furthermore, it can make your burgers truly unique.

Mastering the Art

Becoming an expert takes time. However, it is achievable. Consequently, with practice, you’ll be making amazing blackstone smash burgers. Be patient. In addition, enjoy the process of learning.

Griddle Maintenance and Care

Proper maintenance ensures your Blackstone griddle lasts longer. Regular cleaning and seasoning prevent rust and sticking. Therefore, it’s a crucial step in ensuring good results.

Seasoning your Blackstone Griddle

Seasoning creates a non-stick surface. Also, it protects the metal from rust. Therefore, always season after every clean. Furthermore, use a high smoke point oil. Accordingly, this will ensure the seasoning adheres correctly.

The Social Aspect of Blackstone Smash Burgers

Blackstone smash burgers are great for gatherings. They’re a crowd-pleaser and fun to make together. Therefore, these burgers are ideal for cookouts. In addition, it is a great way to enjoy time with friends and family.

Sharing Your Culinary Creations

Encourage others to try your blackstone smash burgers. Also, share your photos and recipes with your community. Consequently, this can inspire others to try it too.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long do you smash burgers on Blackstone?

Typically, you should cook smash burgers on a Blackstone for 2-3 minutes on the first side, then 1-2 minutes after flipping. Therefore, the time depends on the thickness.

Should I oil my griddle before making smash burgers?

Yes, it’s best to oil your griddle before cooking smash burgers. Consequently, it helps prevent sticking. In addition, it ensures a good crust forms.

What is the secret to smash burgers?

The secret to smash burgers is the smashing technique. Accordingly, this forms the crispy crust. Also, high heat is crucial.

What temperature do you griddle smash burgers at?

Griddle smash burgers at medium-high heat. Therefore, the griddle surface should be around 375-400°F.

Blackstone Smash Burgers: A Griddle Guide