Name: Smash Burger Grilled Cheese with Special Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb Ground Beef; 1 small Onion, thinly sliced; ½ cup Smashburger Sauce; Kosher Salt, to taste; Fresh Cracked Pepper, to taste; 8 slices Hearty White Bread; 8 slices American Cheese; 2 cups Havarti Cheese, shredded; ⅓ cup Sliced Dill Pickle Chips; 2 tablespoons Salted Butter

Jump to Recipe

Introduction

The Smash Burger Grilled Cheese with Special Sauce is an indulgent twist on two classic comfort foods. Crispy smashed beef patties meet melty cheese and tangy pickles inside buttery, golden toasted bread. This sandwich is perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner that’s full of bold flavors and textures.

A close-up view of a grilled cheese sandwich cut diagonally into two triangles placed on a white plate with a thin dark rim, resting on a white marbled surface. The sandwich has two golden-brown toasted bread slices that are crisp and slightly oily. The top triangle is lifted showing melted yellow and white cheeses oozing out, layered above a browned hamburger patty that looks juicy and textured. The other triangle lies flat, showing the toasted bread crust with a few black pepper specks. The cheese layers show a mix of smooth melted textures with gooey stretches. The scene is bright and colorful with natural light. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 lb Ground Beef
1 small Onion, thinly sliced
½ cup Smashburger Sauce
8 slices Hearty White Bread
8 slices American Cheese
2 cups Havarti Cheese, shredded
⅓ cup Sliced Dill Pickle Chips
2 tablespoons Salted Butter
Kosher Salt
Fresh Cracked Pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Divide the ground beef into four equal portions and roll each into a ball.
Step 2: Heat a large cast iron skillet or flat top griddle until it is super hot and begins to smoke.
Step 3: Place the beef balls on the hot surface. Season each with a generous pinch of kosher salt, fresh cracked pepper, and 1 teaspoon of smashburger sauce. Top with sliced onions.
Step 4: Cover each burger with a sheet of wax or parchment paper to prevent sticking, then smash down firmly using a thin metal spatula and a heavy object like a sandwich press or meat mallet.
Step 5: Cook the burgers until caramelized and about 60% done, then flip carefully, scraping up any stuck bits from the surface.
Step 6: Immediately top each patty with two slices of American cheese and allow it to melt fully. The burgers are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Step 7: Lower the heat and spread 1 tablespoon of smashburger sauce onto four slices of bread.
Step 8: Melt half the butter on the clean side of the skillet. Place the sauced bread slices sauce-side up in the skillet.
Step 9: Flip each cheeseburger directly onto the sauced bread, cheese side down. Add pickle slices and evenly distribute shredded Havarti cheese over the burgers.
Step 10: Top each with the remaining slices of bread. Use the remaining butter to butter the top slices of bread on the outside.
Step 11: Cook until the bottom is golden brown and the cheese is mostly melted, then carefully flip and cook the other side until golden and fully melted.
Step 12: Remove sandwiches from heat and let rest for 1 minute before serving. Serve with extra smashburger sauce for dipping.

Tips & Variations

For a smoky twist, add a few dashes of smoked paprika to the beef before cooking.
Swap Havarti for sharp cheddar for a tangier flavor profile.
Use pickles with different acidity levels—bread and butter, spicy, or classic dill—to customize the tanginess.
Cook burgers on a cast iron skillet for extra crust and even heat distribution.
Toast the bread slightly before assembling to prevent sogginess when adding sauce.

Storage

Store any leftover sandwiches wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or foil in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over low heat or in a toaster oven to maintain crispiness and melt the cheese without drying out the bread.

How to Serve

The image shows a white plate with two halves of a grilled cheese sandwich cut diagonally. The sandwich has three visible layers: the top and bottom layers are golden-brown toasted bread with a crispy texture, the middle layer has melted yellow cheese mixed with a melted white cheese, and there is a cooked beef patty layered between the cheeses. The melted cheese spills slightly out of the sandwich edges, showing a gooey texture. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface with a soft green and yellow fabric in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the smashburger sauce from scratch?

Yes, smashburger sauce typically combines mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickles, and seasonings. You can create your own by mixing these ingredients to taste if you don’t have pre-made sauce on hand.

What type of cheese works best for this sandwich?

American cheese melts smoothly and offers a creamy texture, making it ideal for this recipe. Havarti adds a mild, buttery flavor and melts well too. You can also try cheddar or Swiss for different taste variations.