Smash Burger Sloppy Joes (Printable Version)
Smashed ground beef in tangy sauce with pickles and melted cheese on toasted buns.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meat & Base
01 - 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend preferred)
02 - 1 tablespoon 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 tablespoons yellow mustard
08 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12 - Salt to taste
→ For Serving
13 - 4 hamburger buns
14 - 4 slices American or cheddar cheese
15 - Sliced tomato (optional)
16 - Shredded lettuce (optional)
17 - Butter for toasting buns
# Directions:
01 - Set a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter and allow it to melt completely, coating the surface evenly.
02 - Add the ground beef to the skillet, spreading it into an even layer. Press down firmly with a spatula to achieve a smash burger crust. Let it cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes until a deep brown sear forms, then break the meat apart into crumbles.
03 - Stir in the finely diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until translucent and softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
04 - Add the chopped dill pickles, ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Stir thoroughly to combine and let the mixture simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until thickened and saucy.
05 - While the meat simmers, butter the cut sides of the hamburger buns and toast them on a separate pan or griddle over medium heat until golden brown and crisp.
06 - Lay the cheese slices directly over the hot beef mixture and allow them to melt slightly from the residual heat. Remove the skillet from heat.
07 - Spoon the cheesy beef mixture generously onto the bottom half of each toasted bun. Top with sliced tomato and shredded lettuce if desired, then cap with the top bun. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- That crispy smashed beef crust paired with a tangy, sweet sauce is the kind of combination that makes you close your eyes at the first bite.
- It comes together in about half an hour with ingredients you probably already have sitting in your fridge and pantry.
- Kids lose their minds over the messiness, and adults secretly love it even more.
02 -
- Resist the urge to stir the beef constantly when it first hits the pan. That uninterrupted contact with the hot surface is what creates the caramelized crust that makes this recipe special.
- If your sauce looks too thin after seven minutes, just let it go another two. Patience here rewards you with a texture that stays on the bun instead of running down your wrist.
03 -
- Toast the buns right before assembling so they create a buttery barrier that prevents the sauce from turning them into mush within minutes.
- Let the cheese melt directly on the hot meat in the pan rather than trying to melt it under a broiler, because the residual heat does the job perfectly without overcooking anything.