Quick-Fix Ina Garten Smashed Hamburgers With Caramelized Onions Recipe

Smashed hamburgers represent the ultimate comfort food that transforms a simple patty into a culinary masterpiece of crispy edges and juicy interiors.

These flat-pressed beef delicacies capture restaurant-quality flavor right in your home kitchen.

The technique involves pressing ground meat onto a scorching hot surface to create maximum caramelization and intense flavor profiles.

Skilled cooks know the secret lies in using high heat and applying precise pressure during cooking.

Every bite promises a gorgeous combination of crisp exterior and tender center that makes these hamburgers irresistibly delicious.

When crafted with care and attention to detail, smashed hamburgers elevate a classic dish into something truly extraordinary: get ready to impress everyone at your table.

Why Ina Garten’s Smashed Hamburgers Are So Satisfying

• Unlock Intense Flavor Fusion: The combination of dry mustard, caramelized onions, and Gruyère cheese creates a mind-blowing taste explosion that elevates the classic hamburger to gourmet status.
• Master the Smash Technique: This revolutionary cooking method transforms ordinary ground beef into crispy, crusty burger perfection by pressing the meat directly into a screaming-hot cast-iron skillet, developing deep, irresistible browned edges.
• Quick Gourmet Magic: In just about 30 minutes, you'll craft restaurant-quality burgers that impress with minimal effort, making it an ideal recipe for busy home cooks craving exceptional flavor without complicated techniques.
• Customize Your Comfort: The recipe offers flexibility to adjust seasonings, cheese, and toppings, allowing you to personalize each burger while maintaining the core delicious technique that guarantees a mouthwatering result.

Your Shopping List for Ina’s Smash Burgers

• Ground Beef: High-fat content beef for juicy and flavorful burgers, preferably 80/20 blend for perfect texture and taste.

• Dry Mustard, Salt, Black Pepper: Blend of spices to enhance meat's natural flavor and create a savory crust.

• Gruyère Cheese: Rich, nutty Swiss cheese that melts beautifully and adds sophisticated flavor.
• Caramelized Onions: Sweet and deeply flavored topping that complements the beef's richness.

• Vegetable Oil: Neutral oil for even cooking and preventing sticking in the skillet.
• White Sugar: Helps onions caramelize and develop deep golden color.
• White Vinegar: Adds brightness and helps deglaze pan after caramelizing onions.

• Hamburger Rolls: Soft, sturdy rolls to hold the juicy burger and toppings.
• Ketchup: Classic condiment served on the side for additional flavor.

Steps to Make Smashed Hamburgers with Onions

Step 1: Craft Caramelized Onion Magic

Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat. Add thinly sliced onions and gently cook until they turn soft and golden. Sprinkle a touch of sugar, then lower the heat. Allow onions to slowly transform into rich, deep brown strands. Splash some vinegar to create a tangy finish and lift all the delicious browned bits from the pan.

Step 2: Prepare Flavor-Packed Burger Patties

• Dry mustard
• Salt
• Black pepper

Gently fold the spice mixture into ground beef. Shape into four thick, hefty patties. Place them in the freezer for a quick 15-minute chill to help them hold their shape.

Step 3: Sear the Perfect Burger Crust

Heat a cast-iron skillet until it’s smoking hot. Add a drizzle of cooking oil. Transfer frozen patties directly onto the sizzling surface. Use a sturdy metal spatula to press each patty firmly, creating a crispy exterior. Cook undisturbed for about 3 minutes until a gorgeous brown crust forms.

• Caramelized onions
• Shredded Gruyère cheese

Cover the skillet and let the cheese melt for 2 minutes, cooking the meat to a juicy medium-rare.

Step 4: Assemble Burger Masterpieces

Nestle each burger onto a soft roll. Serve immediately with ketchup on the side for an extra flavor boost.

Tips for Caramelized Onion Goodness

• Sear Like a Pro: Cast-iron skillets provide unbeatable heat distribution, creating a golden-brown crust that locks in the burger's juicy flavor.
• Handle Beef Gently: Mix seasonings delicately into ground beef to keep the meat tender and prevent tough, dense patties.
• Chill for Perfect Shape: A quick 15-minute freeze helps burgers maintain their form and develops a mouthwatering texture during cooking.
• Create Crispy Edges: Firmly pressing burgers with a spatula generates those irresistible crispy edges and enhances the caramelized exterior.
• Melt Cheese Perfectly: Covering the skillet traps steam, ensuring Gruyère melts smoothly and creates a luxurious, gooey topping that elevates the entire burger experience.

How to Keep Smash Burgers Fresh

• Freeze: Seal individual burgers tightly in freezer-safe bags to prevent freezer burn. Press out excess air and label with the date. Frozen hamburgers maintain peak quality for up to 3 months, offering a quick meal solution when unexpected guests arrive or dinner plans change.
• Refrigerate: Transfer leftover burgers to shallow airtight containers, ensuring they're completely cooled first. Stack with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Consume within 2-3 days for optimal taste and food safety, keeping them at the front of the refrigerator for easy access.
• Reheat: Restore crispiness by using a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add a thin layer of oil, then warm burgers for 2-3 minutes per side. Avoid microwaving, which can make the meat soggy and tough.

Tweaks for Ina Garten’s Smash Burger

• Spicy Southwestern Smash: Swap Gruyère for pepper jack cheese and mix chipotle powder into the beef. Top with sliced jalapeños and a quick cilantro-lime mayo for a zesty kick.
• Mediterranean Lamb Fusion: Replace ground beef with ground lamb, blend in dried oregano and mint. Swap caramelized onions for tzatziki sauce and serve on warm pita bread instead of rolls.
• Umami Mushroom Blend: Mix ground beef with finely chopped mushrooms for extra depth. Add truffle salt to the seasoning mix and top with sautéed wild mushrooms and blue cheese crumbles.
• Asian-Inspired Beef Burger: Incorporate grated ginger and soy sauce into the meat mixture. Garnish with quick-pickled cucumber slices and crispy fried shallots. Serve with sriracha mayo on a brioche bun.

Final Thoughts on Smashed Hamburger Heaven

Smashed hamburgers embody culinary artistry with Ina Garten’s signature touch.

Her recipe transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet experience that tantalizes taste buds.

Caramelized onions and mustard-seasoned beef create a symphony of flavors that elevate classic comfort cuisine.

Gruyère cheese adds luxurious depth, melting perfectly over charred patties.

Cast-iron skillet cooking ensures a crispy exterior and juicy interior that promises restaurant-quality results at home.

Passionate cooks and burger enthusiasts will savor this masterpiece – craving each bite, sharing the recipe’s magic, recommending it to friends, and celebrating culinary creativity with every delicious mouthful.

Ina Garten Smashed Hamburgers With Carmelized Onions Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s smashed hamburgers combine classic American grilling with irresistible caramelized onions. Juicy beef patties and golden onions create a mouthwatering sandwich that brings comfort and flavor to your backyard cookout.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1.25 pounds (570 grams) ground beef with 20% fat

Cheese and Bread:

• 1.25 cups (115 grams) grated Gruyère cheese
• 4 sandwich potato rolls, such as Martin’s

Additional Ingredients:

• 4 cups (1 liter) sliced red onions (2 medium)
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1.5 teaspoons dry mustard powder (e.g., Colman’s)
• Canola or grapeseed oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Ketchup, for serving

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Instructions

1. Transform sliced onions into a rich, golden delicacy by heating oil in a spacious 12-inch (30.5 centimeters) sauté pan over medium temperature. Gently stir the onions every few minutes, allowing them to soften and develop a deep, caramel-like color over 18-20 minutes.
2. Sprinkle granulated sugar into the onion mixture, then reduce heat to low. Continue cooking for an additional 10-12 minutes, stirring intermittently until onions achieve a deep mahogany hue. Deglaze the pan with vinegar, scraping up any flavorful browned bits.
3. Create a flavor-enhancing seasoning blend by mixing dry mustard, 1½ teaspoons (7.5 grams) salt, and ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) ground black pepper in a small mixing bowl. Gently massage the spice mixture into ground beef, forming four uniform patties approximately 1-inch (2.5 centimeters) thick.
4. Temporarily chill the seasoned patties in the freezer for precisely 15 minutes to help maintain their structural integrity during cooking.
5. Preheat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, adding 1½ tablespoons (22.5 milliliters) oil. Carefully transfer frozen patties directly into the hot pan, using a metal spatula to press firmly and create a crisp exterior.
6. Allow burgers to develop a robust crust for 2½ to 3 minutes without disturbing them. Carefully flip the patties, immediately topping each with the caramelized onions and sprinkling Gruyère cheese.
7. Cover the skillet and cook for an additional 1½ to 2 minutes, ensuring the cheese melts completely and the meat reaches a perfect medium-rare consistency.
8. Transfer each burger onto prepared rolls, serving immediately with ketchup alongside for additional flavor enhancement.

Notes

• Create restaurant-style burger magic by searing patties in a cast-iron skillet, which delivers unbeatable crispy exteriors and lock-in juicy interiors.
• Handle ground beef with a delicate touch when mixing seasonings, preventing tough burger textures by avoiding excessive manipulation.
• Quick-freeze burger patties for precisely 15 minutes before cooking, guaranteeing optimal shape retention and superior meat consistency.
• Apply gentle, consistent pressure while cooking burgers to develop a gorgeous caramelized crust that elevates the entire eating experience.
• Melt cheese like a pro by covering the skillet, ensuring your Gruyère transforms into a luxurious, gooey blanket that enhances every delicious bite.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 burger
• Calories: 434
• Sugar: 7g
• Sodium: 621mg
• Fat: 27g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 29g
• Cholesterol: 85mg