Croissant Smash Burger

Ingredients

• 300 g ground beef, 80/20 blend (Form into 2 loose balls of about 150 g / 5 oz each.)
• salt (To taste, for seasoning the beef.)
• black pepper (To taste, for seasoning the beef.)
• 0.25 tsp garlic powder (Optional.)
• 0.25 tsp onion powder (Optional.)
• 2 slices cheddar or American cheese (One slice per patty.)
• 2 large butter croissants (Day-old or slightly firm croissants work best.)
• 1 tbsp butter (For toasting the croissants.)
• 1 large onion (For caramelized onions or crispy onions.)
• 1 tsp sugar (For the onions.)
• 1 tbsp butter (For the onions.)
• 1 tbsp oil (For the onions.)
• 0.5 tsp salt (For the onions.)
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise (For the special burger sauce.)
• 1 tbsp ketchup (For the special burger sauce.)
• 1 tsp yellow mustard (For the special burger sauce.)
• 0.5 tsp pickle juice or vinegar (For the special burger sauce.)
• 0.25 black pepper (The source gives 1/4 without specifying a unit; for the special burger sauce.)
• 0.5 tsp sugar (For the special burger sauce.)
• 0.25 cup pickles (Diced; for the special burger sauce.)
• 0.25 tsp salt (For the special burger sauce.)
• lettuce (Optional topping; amount to taste.)
• tomato (Optional topping; amount to taste.)
• pickles (Optional additional topping; amount to taste.)

Steps

1. 1

   Slice the croissants in half horizontally. Gently flatten each half with your hand or a flat pan so each piece has a level surface for stacking.

2. 2

   Toast the cut sides of the croissant halves in a pan with the butter until golden and crisp. Set the toasted croissant pieces aside.

3. 3

   If using the onion topping, prepare it with the onion, sugar, butter, oil, and salt according to your preferred caramelized- or crispy-onion method; the source does not specify a cooking time or technique for this topping.

4. 4

   Mix the mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, pickle juice or vinegar, black pepper, sugar, diced pickles, and salt together to make the special burger sauce.

5. 5

   Divide the ground beef into 2 loose balls, about 150 g / 5 oz each.

6. 6

   Heat a cast-iron skillet or other heavy pan over medium-high heat until hot.

7. 7

   Place one beef ball in the hot pan. Cover it with parchment paper and smash it flat with a metal spatula or burger press.

8. 8

   Season the smashed patty immediately with salt and black pepper. Add the optional garlic powder or onion powder if using.

9. 9

   Cook the patty for 1–2 minutes, until the edges are browned and crispy, then flip it.

10. 10

    Place one slice of cheese on the cooked side of the patty. Cover the pan with a lid for 30 seconds, until the cheese melts.

11. 11

    Repeat the smashing, seasoning, cooking, flipping, and cheese-melting process with the second beef ball and the remaining slice of cheese.

12. 12

    Spread the special burger sauce over the toasted bottoms of the croissants.

13. 13

    Layer the croissant bottoms with lettuce, optional tomato, and the cheesy burger patties.

14. 14

    Add caramelized or crispy onions and additional pickles if desired.

15. 15

    Top each burger with a croissant lid and serve.

Notes

The source does not specify a cooking method or time for the caramelized or crispy onions. Tomato, lettuce, additional pickles, and onion toppings are customizable.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• burger
• smash burger
• croissant burger
• American
• beef
• quick dinner