Best 2 Northwest Indiana Style Smash Burger Recipes

In the realm of burgers, the Northwest Indiana-style smash burger reigns supreme, captivating taste buds with its unique blend of simplicity and irresistible flavors. This iconic burger is a culinary symphony of perfectly smashed patties, caramelized edges, and a symphony of melted cheese, all nestled between soft and buttery buns. Preparing this delicacy is an art form, requiring a delicate balance of ingredients and a keen eye for detail. Discover the secrets behind this regional treasure with our comprehensive guide, featuring a collection of mouthwatering smash burger recipes that will take your taste buds on a journey to burger heaven. From the classic cheeseburger to more adventurous creations adorned with bacon, mushrooms, and even a fried egg, our recipes cater to every palate, ensuring an unforgettable burger experience.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

NORTHWEST INDIANA STYLE SMASH BURGER

Northwest Indiana Style Smash Burger image

Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King

Categories main-dish

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons chopped gherkins
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 tablespoon sriracha
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 1/2 pounds ground chuck, preferably 70/30 or 80/20, divided into four 6-ounce balls
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Granulated garlic, for sprinkling
8 slices American cheese
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 hamburger buns, preferably brioche
2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce, or 4 whole leaves
1 beefsteak tomato, sliced

Steps:

For the smash sauce: Mix together the mayonnaise, gherkins, ketchup, sriracha, mustard, granulated garlic and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Season to taste.
For the burgers: Heat a large flat-surfaced griddle pan to high heat. Add the vegetable oil.
Add the balls of meat to the hot griddle and let cook for 15 to 30 seconds. Flip the burgers and, using a trowel or large spatula, smash each ball of meat until about the size of the bun (the overhang is crucial). Smash and schmear down the edges of the beef even further, so that they are a little thinner than the middle. Sprinkle the exposed side with salt, pepper and a little granulated garlic. Cook until super dark and caramelized, 1 to 2 minutes. (The beef will release better when properly caramelized.) Now it's time to scrape the beef and flip, ideally using a griddle scraper or paint scraper to get up every bit of beef. Immediately top each patty with 2 slices American cheese and sear for another 1 to 2 minutes. Spread 1 tablespoon butter on each burger bun and place on the grill. Cook until lightly toasted, 1 to 2 minutes. Top each bun with a patty, lettuce, tomato and smash sauce. (I like mine plain, with a smash sauce dunk.)

SMASHBURGER-STYLE BURGERS

Smashburger-Style Burgers image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories main-dish

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1/4 cup mayonnaise
4 teaspoons yellow mustard
12 dill pickle chips, plus 1 teaspoon brine
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Pinch of smoked paprika
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 1/4 pounds ground beef (80 percent lean)
Unsalted butter, softened, for brushing
4 bakery hamburger buns, split
4 slices American cheese
Ketchup, for serving
8 thin slices tomato
4 thin slices red onion
4 lettuce leaves

Steps:

Heat a griddle or large cast-iron skillet over medium heat for at least 10 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the mayonnaise, mustard and pickle brine in a small bowl. Combine the onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a separate small bowl. Set aside.
Loosely form the beef into 4 balls; set aside. Working in batches, lightly brush the griddle with butter and toast the buns cut-side down until lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
Brush the griddle with more butter and add 1 ball of beef. Press firmly with 2 large crisscrossed metal spatulas for exactly 10 seconds, then gently remove the spatulas. Sprinkle the patties with some of the seasoning mixture and continue cooking, undisturbed, until well browned, 1 1/2to 2 minutes. (Start cooking another burger at this point.) Flip the patty, sprinkle with more of the seasoning mixture and top with 1 cheese slice. Continue cooking until the cheese is melted around the edges and the bottom of the burger is browned, about 1 more minute. Repeat with the remaining beef.
Spread the mayonnaise mixture on the bun tops and add some ketchup. Serve the patties on the buns with the pickles, tomato, red onion and lettuce.

Tips:

Use fresh ground beef with a high fat content (80/20 is ideal) for the juiciest burgers.
Season the ground beef with a simple combination of salt and pepper before smashing it.
Preheat your skillet or griddle over medium-high heat before cooking the burgers.
Smash the burgers down with a spatula or burger press as soon as they hit the skillet.
Cook the burgers for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are cooked to your desired doneness.
Top the burgers with your favorite toppings, such as cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles.
Serve the burgers immediately on toasted buns.

Conclusion:

Northwest Indiana-style smash burgers are a delicious and easy-to-make weeknight meal. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create perfectly smashed and seared burgers that are sure to satisfy your cravings. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy burger fix, be sure to give this recipe a try.