01/12/2026
Smash-Style Diner Burgers with Melted Cheese 🧀🍔
Nothing beats a messy, juicy burger like this: thin, crispy-edged patties, melty cheese, soft toasted potato buns, and all the classic toppings. Perfect for a weekend “burger night” with friends or family.
Ingredients (paragraph style)
For 4 big burgers you’ll need: 600 g ground beef 80/20 (about 1⅓ lb), 4 soft potato burger buns, 4–8 slices American or cheddar cheese, 1–2 tomatoes sliced, ½ small red onion thinly sliced, 1–2 cups shredded lettuce, 4 Tbsp mayonnaise, 2 Tbsp ketchup, 1 Tbsp yellow mustard, 1–2 Tbsp neutral oil or butter for the pan, salt and black pepper.
Method (short & clear)
Split the beef into 8 equal balls. Keep them cold. Stir together mayo, ketchup and mustard to make a quick burger sauce and set aside. Slice tomatoes and onion, shred the lettuce, and lightly butter and toast the buns in a hot pan until golden.
Heat a heavy pan or griddle over medium-high with a thin film of oil. Place 2–3 meat balls in the pan and smash them hard with a spatula or burger press until very thin. Season well with salt and pepper and cook 2–3 minutes until the edges are brown and crispy.
Flip the patties, immediately top each with a slice of cheese and cook about 1 more minute until the cheese melts and the meat is cooked through. Stack two patties together for each burger.
Spread sauce on the toasted buns, then layer lettuce, tomato, onion, and the double-cheeseburger patties. Close with the top bun, wrap in parchment if you like that “diner” look, and serve hot with fries or chips.