This smoked gouda smash burger is a dream—simple, fast, and packed with flavor.
Smash burgers are all about technique and minimal ingredients. The core components here are ground beef and salt—plus cheese and a soft bun. Add a few toppings if you like, but the magic happens with heat, a good cast-iron skillet, and a quick smash.
If you enjoy restaurant-style burgers, these will remind you of classic smashed cheeseburgers: thin, deeply caramelized edges, juicy centers, and melty smoked gouda. I like to form the meat into loose balls so they flatten into rounds that match a bun, but you can also portion and press directly.
Heat a cast-iron skillet until it’s very hot. Brush with a little oil and, if you want extra richness, add a touch of butter right before the burgers hit the pan—be ready for some smoke and act quickly. Place the meat ball on the skillet and press down firmly with a spatula or a burger press to create a thin patty. One or two presses are enough.
Season the patties with salt (and a little pepper if desired) after pressing. Cook for a few minutes until the edges are deeply browned, flip, and cook another minute or two. Top immediately with thin slices of smoked gouda so it melts over the patty. Because these burgers are thin and untouched after smashing, they stay juicy and full of flavor while remaining easy to eat.
The house sauce is a highlight—creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet. It’s versatile and complements the smoky cheese and charred beef perfectly. Whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon, yellow mustard, honey, and your favorite barbecue sauce for a simple, addictive spread.
Make a batch of the sauce to serve with sweet potato fries or to slather on the buns. Assemble the burgers on toasted buns with lettuce, tomato, red onion, or whatever toppings you prefer. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Smoked Gouda Smash Burgers
4
30 mins
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (85% lean recommended)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional)
- 4 to 6 ounces smoked gouda, thinly sliced
- Buns for serving
- Lettuce, tomato, red onion or other toppings
How Sweet Eats House Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon your favorite BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Divide the ground beef into 4 or 6 equal portions. Form into loose balls if desired so they smash into a round patty.
- Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot.
- Brush the skillet with oil and add half the butter if using. Work quickly—the butter will smoke. Place a beef ball on the skillet and press down with a spatula once or twice to create a thin patty about 1/2 inch thick. Season with salt and pepper. Repeat for the remaining portions.
- Cook patties 2 to 3 minutes on the first side until the edges brown, flip, season the other side, and cook about 2 minutes more. Add smoked gouda and allow it to melt.
- Remove the burgers with a spatula and serve immediately on buns with the house sauce and your favorite toppings.
House Sauce
- Whisk all sauce ingredients together until smooth. Serve as a spread for burgers or a dip for fries.
These smash burgers are quick, satisfying, and ideal for a summer cookout or a weeknight dinner—rich smoked gouda and a bright, tangy sauce make them irresistible.