Low-Calorie High-Protein Smash Burger by Joshua Weissman Recipes

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs Ground beef, 96% lean
• 8 Burger buns (e.g., Dave's Killer Bread)
• 4 (small) Dill pickles, whole
• 1 (medium) Yellow or sweet onion, thinly sliced
• 4 slices American cheese
• 1 tbsp Light mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp Yellow mustard
• 2 tbsp Sriracha
• to taste Salt
• to taste Freshly cracked black pepper
• as needed Cooking spray or neutral oil

Instructions

1. Prepare the burger sauce: In a small bowl, combine light mayonnaise, yellow mustard, and Sriracha. Season with a pinch of salt and fresh black pepper. Whisk until homogeneous.
2. Prepare the pickles: Slice the whole dill pickles lengthwise, aiming for a thickness just under 1/4 inch. If they are too long for the bun, trim them to fit.
3. Prepare the onion: Carefully remove the outer layer of the onion. Using a mandoline or a very sharp knife, slice the onion as thinly as possible into rings that maintain their shape. Rinse the sliced onion in cold water for a few minutes, then drain thoroughly.
4. Portion the beef: Divide the ground beef into eight 3-ounce portions. Roll each portion into a tight ball. For best results, use a kitchen scale for accuracy.
5. Toast the buns: Heat a flat-top griddle, cast iron pan, or large pan over medium heat. Place the halved burger buns, cut-side down, on the dry heated surface. Toast for about 1-2 minutes until crisp and lightly golden, then toast the top of the bun as well.
6. Cook the patties: Heat your cooking surface (well-seasoned flat-top, non-stick pan, or pan with cooking spray) over medium-high heat until hot. Place a beef ball on the hot surface, cover with a small piece of parchment paper, and smash it down with a burger press or the bottom of a pan until it's about 25% wider than your bun.
7. Season and sear: Immediately season the smashed patty with salt and pepper. Repeat for the second patty needed for one burger. Cook for about 1-2 minutes per side, or until the cook line reaches about 65-70% up the patty, then flip.
8. Melt cheese: Once flipped, immediately place a slice of American cheese on one patty. Let cook on the second side for about 1-2 minutes until cooked through and the cheese is melted.
9. Assemble the burger: On the bottom toasted bun, spread a tablespoon of the prepared sauce. Layer with the sliced pickles and a generous amount of thinly sliced onion. Stack the two cooked patties (one with melted cheese).
10. Crown the burger: Spread another tablespoon of sauce on the top bun and place it over the stacked patties to complete the burger. Serve immediately.