Smashburger Bar

Cheeseburgers are always a crowd-pleaser in our house. But let’s be honest—they can get a little boring for the grown-ups. That’s why we’ve started doing a biweekly Smashburger Bar, and it’s been a hit for all ages.

The kids stick to the classics (cheese and ketchup), while the adults get to mix things up with toppings like blue cheese and pears, or caramelized onions and Swiss. I often skip the bun and use butter lettuce wraps instead—crisp, sturdy, and perfect for low-carb nights.

Ingredients

Ketchup, mustard, mayo

1 lb ground beef or chuck

Brioche buns (or lettuce wraps for low-carb)

Toppings of choice:

Cheese (cheddar, Swiss, blue)

Caramelized onions

Sliced tomatoes

Pickles

Butter lettuce

Sliced pears

Directions

1. Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions and gently form into loose balls. Don’t overwork the meat.
2. Heat a griddle or cast-iron skillet to 375°F (or medium-high heat).
3. Smash each beef ball onto the hot surface using a heavy spatula or even the bottom of a pie tin. Press them as thin as possible.
4. Cook for 2–3 minutes, until a crispy crust forms.
5. Flip the burgers, making sure to scrape up all those browned bits.
6. Top with cheese and let it melt while the second side cooks—about 1–2 more minutes.
7. Serve on buns or butter lettuce wraps, and let everyone build their burger with their favorite toppings.

Tip from the Ridge

Prep all your toppings ahead of time and lay them out like a mini buffet. It’s a fun, interactive dinner—and the cleanup is a breeze.