Pressed onto a sizzling hot griddle or skillet, smash burgers are easy to make and loaded with flavor.

I created this smash burger recipe for my son, Zach, whose freshman college kitchen was, shall we say, quaint: a simple fridge and an electric griddle. The first time he made them, he FaceTimed me from his dorm for a step-by-step walkthrough. I guided him through the cooking process, and watching his friends devour the burgers was the definite highlight of my week! Smash burgers are exactly what they sound like: burgers that have been smashed onto a hot griddle or skillet, sizzled until deeply browned, and cloaked with melted cheese. While they’re easier to make than my steakhouse burgers, I love them just as much. And they’re perfect for when you’re making a small batch of burgers or you’re just not in the mood to fire up the grill.

Though smashing burgers sounds counterintuitive – usually, pressing down on burgers allows all the flavorful juices to escape – when done right, the technique can create gorgeously brown, juicy, crispy burgers. To make good smash burgers, it’s important to:

• Use ground chuck, or 80% lean ground beef; anything leaner will make the burgers dry
• Be sure the patties are very cold before cooking.
• Smash the burgers immediately when you put them in the pan, and don’t smash them again.
• Season the outside of the burgers right before cooking rather than adding the salt to the meat mixture. Without any binders in the meat mixture (like my steakhouse burgers have), salt will give the burgers a strange texture read the scientific explanation on Serious Eats.

What You’ll Need To Make Smash Burgers

Step-by-Step Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the beef, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. (Do not put the salt in the mixture; you’ll add it later.)

Using your hands, mix until evenly combined.

Form the meat into 4 large meatballs (about 4½ oz each).

Pat each ball into a 1-inch-thick disc; smooth out the edges as best you can. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or until ready to cook.

Turn on your exhaust fan and heat a 12-inch cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the patties from the fridge and season all over with the salt.

Coat the hot pan evenly with the oil. Place the burgers on the skillet one at a time, firmly smashing them flat with a metal spatula until about ¼-inch thick before adding and smashing the next one.

Let cook for about 2 minutes until nicely browned and crusty on the bottom. Flip the burgers.

Top the burgers with the cheese.

Cook for 2 minutes more for medium-rare to medium burgers, or 3 minutes for medium to medium-well burgers.

Place the burgers on the buns and serve with toppings of choice.