Smash Burger Sloppy Joes (Printable View)

Crispy smashed beef in tangy sauce with melty cheese on toasted buns. American comfort food at its finest.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Meat & Protein

01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)

→ Vegetables & Flavor Base

02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 small green bell pepper, finely diced
05 - 1 tbsp ketchup
06 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
07 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
08 - 1/2 cup beef broth or water

→ Spices & Condiments

09 - 1 tsp yellow mustard
10 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 tsp salt
12 - 1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
13 - 1/2 tsp chili powder (optional)

→ Cheese & Buns

14 - 4 slices American cheese or cheddar
15 - 4 soft hamburger buns, lightly toasted
16 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for toasting buns)

→ Optional Toppings

17 - Dill pickle chips
18 - Shredded iceberg lettuce
19 - Sliced tomato

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Place a large cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and allow it to get ripping hot.
02 - Divide the ground beef into 4 loosely packed balls, being careful not to overwork the meat.
03 - Once the skillet is screaming hot, set the beef balls in the pan. Press down firmly with a sturdy spatula to flatten into thin patties with jagged, irregular edges. Season the top side with salt and pepper.
04 - Let the patties sit undisturbed for about 2 minutes until the edges turn deeply browned and crispy. Flip and cook another 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the patties and set them aside on a plate.
05 - Lower the heat to medium. Toss the chopped onion, bell pepper, and a generous pinch of salt into the same pan. Sauté until the vegetables soften and turn translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and stir for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
06 - Stir in the ketchup, tomato paste, yellow mustard, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and chili powder if using. Mix thoroughly until everything is well combined.
07 - Pour in the beef broth and let the mixture simmer for 2 minutes so the flavors come together.
08 - Return the smashed patties to the pan, breaking them into chunks with your spatula. Toss everything together and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and clings to the beef.
09 - Lay 1 slice of cheese over each mound of saucy beef. Cover the pan briefly with a lid or foil just until the cheese melts into gooey perfection.
10 - While the cheese melts, spread butter on the cut sides of each bun and toast in a separate skillet or on the griddle until golden and crisp.
11 - Spoon the cheesy beef mixture generously onto the bottom half of each toasted bun. Pile on pickles, shredded lettuce, and tomato slices as desired. Crown with the top bun and serve immediately while piping hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • You get the crave-worthy crust of a smash burger without the fuss of perfectly formed patties
  • The homemade sauce puts canned versions to shame, and the whole thing comes together in under 40 minutes
  • Its the kind of food that makes everyone gather around the kitchen, napkins optional
02 -
  • A metal spatula works best for smashing, but press firmly and carefully so hot grease does not splash
  • Do not overcrowd the pan or the beef will steam instead of getting that signature crust
  • The sauce thickens quickly off the heat, so do not overreduce it in the pan
03 -
  • Let the pan get properly hot before adding beef for the best crust formation
  • Lightly toast cut sides of buns in the pan juices for extra flavor before butter-toasting

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