This smashburger salad is our go-to way to enjoy a burger bowl right now. Adapted from my fourth cookbook, Easy Everyday, it comes together in under 30 minutes. Crisp lettuce and all your favorite burger toppings are topped with thin, smashed patties and melty cheese. It’s flavorful, satisfying, and simple to make.
One year ago today my fourth cookbook, Easy Everyday, was released! 
I’ve loved seeing so many of you making recipes from the book. It’s packed with approachable, delicious dishes, and even I sometimes rediscover favorites when flipping through. If you don’t yet have a copy of Easy Everyday, it’s full of more than 100 recipes for every meal and moment, including simple breakfasts, dinners, snacks, treats, mocktails, pantry staples, and more.
Inside you’ll find practical strategies and reliable recipes that make everyday cooking easier and more enjoyable:
Inside, you will find:
- Over 100 effortless recipes built for real life.
- A wide variety of dishes, many meatless or vegetarian.
- A 10-minute meal prep approach that applies to every recipe.
- Pantry and fridge essentials—sauces and dressings that elevate everything.
- Tips and tricks to get meals on the table consistently and without stress.
- Low-maintenance, uncomplicated recipes that still pack flavor.
- Personal notes and photos for many recipes to inspire you in the kitchen.
To celebrate the book’s first anniversary, here’s a sneak peek: the smashburger salad. It’s one of my absolute favorites from the book, and I’m so grateful for your support over the years.
The smashburger salad highlights ultra-thin smashed patties with crispy, caramelized edges, topped with melted cheddar and layered over crisp lettuce and classic burger toppings. This is a more elevated, grown-up take on a cheeseburger salad—bigger flavor, better texture.
The recipe in the book pairs perfectly with a caramelized shallot vinaigrette featured in Easy Everyday. If you don’t have the book handy, a dill pickle vinaigrette also works beautifully and adds a bright, tangy note that complements the rich patties.
I could honestly drink pickle dressing—it’s that good.
Smashburger Salad
Smashburger Salad
3
35 mins
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Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- kosher salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 slices sharp white cheddar cheese
- 10 ounces butter lettuce
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup chopped pickles
- dill pickle vinaigrette for topping
Instructions
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Heat the butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Season the ground beef generously with salt and pepper, then divide into four equal pieces.
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When the skillet is hot, press each piece into the pan using the bottom of a jar or a sturdy spatula to create thin patties. Cook 5 to 6 minutes, then flip and press the other side. Aim for golden, crispy edges.
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Top each patty with a slice of cheddar and allow it to melt completely. Remove the patties from the skillet.
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Place the lettuce in a large bowl and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Add halved cherry tomatoes and chopped pickles. Tear or cut the mashed patties into pieces and scatter over the salad.
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Drizzle with your vinaigrette of choice (caramelized shallot or dill pickle vinaigrette recommended) and serve immediately.
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