Name: California-Style Smashburger with Tangy Quick Pickles
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients: 10 oz ground beef (80/20 blend, divided into 4 loose balls); 2 soft burger buns, preferably potato or brioche; 2 slices sharp cheddar cheese; 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced; 1/2 cup shredded iceberg lettuce; 1 small ripe tomato, sliced; 2 tbsp mayonnaise; 1 tsp yellow mustard; 1 tbsp unsalted butter, softened; 1/4 cup dill pickle chips (see quick pickle option below); Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; Neutral oil (canola or vegetable), for griddle

California-Style Smashburger with Tangy Quick Pickles

SteamedLemon1929

This California-inspired smashburger is all about contrast: ultra-crispy, deeply savory smashed patties paired with cool, crunchy lettuce and a burst of tang from quick-pickled chips. Each burger is double stacked for maximum flavor, then layered with sharp cheddar, juicy tomato, and a creamy mustard-mayo sauce. Toasted buns lock in all the juices, keeping every bite craveable and satisfying. Inspired by the mastery of balance—salt, fat, acid, and heat—this recipe delivers everything you want in a summer burger, perfect for those golden California evenings.

Ingredients

Instructions

Prepare the quick pickles (optional but recommended): In a small bowl, toss dill pickle chips with a splash of rice vinegar, a pinch of sugar, and a pinch of salt. Let them marinate while you cook the burgers.
Heat a cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat until just smoking. Lightly oil the surface.
Place two balls of beef (per burger) onto the hot skillet. Immediately press down each ball firmly with a heavy spatula or burger press to flatten them into thin patties. Season generously with salt and pepper.
Cook without moving until edges are deeply browned and crispy, about 1.5-2 minutes. Flip, top two of the patties with cheddar, and stack one plain patty over a cheesy one for each burger. Cook another 1 minute until cheese melts.
Butter the cut sides of the buns and toast on the skillet until golden and crisp.
Mix mayonnaise and mustard together. Spread on both sides of the toasted buns.
Assemble: Layer lettuce, tomato, pickled onions, and quick pickles on the bottom bun. Top with the double-stacked smash patties. Add extra lettuce and the top bun.
Serve immediately with extra quick pickles and napkins.