Smash burgers recipe | Good Food

4 burger buns
sesame topped or brioche, whichever you prefer
1 tbsp sunflower oil
500g steak mince
15-20% fat is good
4 slices mild cheddar
or burger cheese
1 red onion
finely sliced
handfuls of iceberg lettuce
finely shredded
2 tomatoes
sliced
1 large gherkin
sliced lengthways
mayonnaise
ketchup and American mustard, or your preferred sauces, to serve

Method

step 1
Slice the burger buns in half, then toast or grill the cut sides and set aside. Heat the oven to 100C/80C fan/gas ¼.
step 2
Divide the mince into four loose piles and season generously with salt. Heat ¼ tbsp oil in a heavy frying pan or skillet over a high heat and put one of the piles in the pan. Working quickly, cover with a square of baking parchment and use a second smaller pan to press the beef patty down as hard as you can (you may wear oven gloves or use the end of a rolling pin for pressing down, being careful of the heat and rising steam). Allow to cook for 2 mins.
step 3
Remove the parchment and turn the patty over. Press down with a spatula, cover with a slice of cheese and cook for 1 min. Transfer to a baking tray and keep warm in the oven while you cook the other burgers in the same way.
step 4
To assemble the burger, scatter a bun base with onion, lettuce and tomato slices, followed by a smashed patty, gherkin slices and the bun top. Serve with your chosen sauces on the side.