The Ultimate Smashburger Recipe for Your Next Summer BBQ

There are burgers, and then there are smashburgers – the all-American classic pressed patty with crisp, caramelized edges, layered with a melty slice of cheese, and finished with your favorite toppings. 

The secret is simple: hot griddle, flavorful beef, the perfect smash, and cheese that melts beautifully into every crispy-edged patty.

So, what’s the best smashburger recipe for a summer BBQ, backyard cookout, or casual burger night? This guide walks you through how to make restaurant-style smashburgers at home, what cheese to use, and which toppings help bring every bite together.

What are some tips for making the best smashburgers at home?

The key to making backyard barbecue worthy smashburgers at home is high heat, quick cooking time and high-quality, natural cheese. For best results, form the beef into loose balls instead of tightly packed patties. Then smash once, season, flip, add cheese, and let the heat do the rest.

A hot grill or griddle helps create crispy, browned edges while keeping the inside juicy. Smashing the beef directly onto the cooking surface creates more contact with the heat, which gives smashburgers their signature texture and flavor.

Why Choose Quality Cheese for Smashburgers?

Smashburgers are simple but flavorful, which means every ingredient matters. Sargento sliced cheese always comes from blocks of 100%, natural cheese, giving the rich flavor, creamy texture, and satisfying melt every burger deserves.

How do I choose the right cheese for my smashburger?

Sargento® Natural American Cheese is ideal for smashburgers. Smashburger patties are thin and cook in seconds, so you need a cheese that melts quickly and clings to the patty. Sargento® Natural American delivers that fast, creamy melt using 100% natural cheese. It was specifically crafted to deliver the best melt using 100% natural cheese. Unlike most processed American cheese in the dairy case that contain 9 or more ingredients, Sargento ® Natural American Cheese, is made with just five ingredients.

What cheese is best for a smashburger?

When it comes to constructing a classic smashburger, Sargento® Natural American cheese is hard to beat. That said, different cheeses can help you build different kinds of cheeseburgers for your next BBQ or backyard cookout.

Sargento® Natural American Cheese

Sargento® Natural American cheese is a classic choice because it has that melt you love and taste you crave on your smashburger patties. It was specifically crafted to deliver the best melt using 100% natural cheese. Sargento ® Natural American Cheese, achieves that smooth, creamy melt you are looking for with just five ingredients.

Pairs well with these toppings: Pickles, ketchup, mustard, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, sesame seed buns

Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Sharp cheddar brings a bold, tangy flavor that stands up well to juicy beef, smoky sauces, and rich toppings. It’s a great choice for BBQ smashburgers, bacon cheeseburgers, and pub-style burgers.

Pairs well with these toppings: Bacon, BBQ sauce, caramelized onions, jalapeños, crispy onions, pretzel buns

Colby-Jack Cheese

Colby-Jack is creamy, mellow, and versatile, making it a great cheese for a crowd-pleasing smashburger. It adds a colorful marbled look and pairs well with classic, spicy, or smoky toppings.

Pairs well with these toppings: Avocado, chipotle mayo, lettuce, tomato, bacon, grilled peppers

Pepper Jack Cheese

Pepper Jack adds creamy melt and a little kick, making it a delicious choice for spicy smashburgers. It pairs especially well with smoky, sweet, or creamy toppings.

Pairs well with these toppings: Jalapeños, avocado, chipotle mayo, bacon, BBQ sauce, ranch

The Ultimate Smashburger Recipe

Ingredients

-1½ lbs. Ground beef (80% lean)

- Salt and pepper to taste

- 12 slices Sargento® Natural American Cheese

- 4 ea. Sesame seed hamburger buns, toasted

Directions

• Form 12 small beef balls (2 oz. each)
• Pre-heat griddle to high.
• Smash 4 balls at a time, cook for 45 seconds, flip, add cheese and cook 45 more seconds. Transfer to bun bottoms.
• Repeat for all balls, stacking burgers for triple cheeseburgers. Top with bun and serve.

What are the best smashburger toppings?

The best burger toppings add crunch, creaminess, tang, or a little sweetness without overpowering the beef and cheese.

Try topping your burger with:

• Pickles
• Grilled onions
• Lettuce
• Tomato
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Burger sauce
• Bacon
• Jalapeños
• BBQ sauce
• Crispy onions

What should I serve with smashburgers at a summer cookout?

A backyard BBQ is only as good as the spread, so the next time you’re hosting a summer gathering, consider serving your burgers along with some classic BBQ sides:

• Potato chips
• French fries
• Pasta salad
• Coleslaw
• Grilled corn
• Watermelon or other fresh fruit
• Baked beans
• Fresh fruit

No matter how you stack it

The next time the grill is hot, the buns are toasted, and everyone is gathered around for burger night in the backyard, don’t forget the most important ingredient – High-quality, natural cheese. Whether you’re making classic smashburgers, BBQ burgers, spicy burgers, or a backyard burger spread, quality sliced cheese helps make every bite count.