The Ultimate Smash Burgers with Truffle Mayo
Anticipate a lively kitchen gathering as these smash burgers are best cooked and enjoyed moments after hitting the searing griddle. The irresistible, deeply caramelized crust of each thin patty provides a sensational textural contrast to the gooey Swiss, sweet syrupy onions, and the luxurious, earthy truffle mayonnaise. Present this elevated diner classic with warm buns, inviting your guests to savor every layer of its sophisticated flavors.
Serves: 4 | Total Time: 30 minutes till they’re ready
Ingredients
Truffle Mayo
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon truffle oil
- juice of ½ medium lemon, about 1 tablespoon
- 1 clove garlic, minced, about 1 teaspoon
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
Caramelized Onions
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 large onion, peeled and thinly sliced, about 1 ½ cups
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper
Burgers and Assembly
- 4 brioche rolls
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef mixture (you choose)
- 8 (1-ounce) slices Swiss cheese
- 12 to 16 sliced hamburger pickles
Instructions
- Mix the mayonnaise, sour cream, truffle oil, lemon juice, garlic, and white pepper in a small bowl.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. When the butter melts, add the onion. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the onions are soft and syrupy, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 250°. Brush the outsides of the buns with melted butter. Wrap them in a sheet of aluminum foil and place them in the oven to keep warm.
- Heat a griddle (or a cast-iron skillet) over high heat. Divide the ground beef into 8 (about 3-ounce) balls. Place 4 balls onto a sheet of parchment paper. Cover with another sheet of parchment. Use a meat mallet to smash the burgers into thin circles, about 4 to 5 inches in diameter. Repeat with the remaining 4 portions.
- Coat the griddle or skillet with cooking oil spray. Place 4 burgers onto the griddle. Season with just a bit of salt. Cook until the edges begin to crisp and brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and top each with a slice of cheese.
- While the cheese melts, remove the buns from the oven. Spread some of the mayo on the cut sides of each bun, top and bottom. Place a cooked patty on the bottom bun.
- Cook the remaining patties and top with cheese.
- Place a second patty on top of the first. Spread some of the onions over the top. Add several slices of pickle. Add the top bun and enjoy!
The full recipe lives in the Vault
Ingredients, step-by-step method, and every chef-tested detail are reserved for members of the Estate Registry.
Join the Estate RegistryThe Heart of the Table
There is a distinct, undeniable joy in cooking a meal that demands your full, immediate attention right at the stove. Smashing burgers on a hot griddle is an active, engaging process that naturally draws people into the kitchen to watch, talk, and anticipate the meal. Serving these decadent, deeply flavorful burgers is a wonderful way to foster a relaxed, unpretentious environment where guests feel completely comfortable rolling up their sleeves, diving into an incredible bite, and sharing genuine moments of connection.
Neighborly Grace
- THE PRESENTATION: Serve these towering double-patty burgers immediately while the Swiss cheese is perfectly melted and the edges are lacy and crisp. Present them on individual dark ceramic plates, allowing the rich truffle mayo to drip slightly over the edges. Offer a sharp steak knife to cut them in half for easier eating, revealing the beautiful cross-section.
- THE POUR: A bold, structured Cabernet Sauvignon or a crisp, cold Pilsner. The intense umami flavor of the caramelized onions, truffle mayo, and crispy beef crust requires a drink that can cleanse the palate while matching the dish's incredible depth of flavor.
- THE VIBE: Sophisticated yet deeply comforting. This is a brilliant choice for an upscale, casual Friday night dinner with close friends, blending the familiarity of a beloved comfort food with the elevated flavors of a fine dining experience.