Smash Burger Sloppy Joes (Printable View)
Crispy smashed beef patties with tangy sauce and melted cheese on toasted buns.
# 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 tablespoon ketchup
06 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
07 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
08 - 1/2 cup beef broth or water
→ Spices & Condiments
09 - 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
10 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
13 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional, for a kick)
→ Cheese & Buns
14 - 4 slices American cheese or cheddar
15 - 4 soft hamburger buns, lightly toasted
16 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for toasting buns)
→ Toppings (optional)
17 - Dill pickle chips
18 - Shredded iceberg lettuce
19 - Sliced tomato
# How-To Steps:
01 - Place a large cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and allow it to get fully hot before adding any ingredients.
02 - Divide the ground beef into 4 loosely packed balls, being careful not to overwork the meat.
03 - Place the beef balls onto the hot skillet and smash each one firmly with a metal spatula to create thin patties with rough, jagged edges. Season the tops with salt and pepper. Let the patties cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes until the edges are crispy and deeply browned. Flip and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the patties and set aside.
04 - Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and a pinch of salt to the same pan. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
05 - Stir in the ketchup, tomato paste, yellow mustard, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and chili powder if using. Mix everything thoroughly to combine.
06 - Pour in the beef broth and bring to a simmer for 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to come together.
07 - Return the smashed beef patties to the pan, breaking them up with the spatula and folding them into the sauce. Continue cooking until the mixture is slightly thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
08 - Place 1 slice of cheese over each mound of the beef mixture. Cover the pan briefly to allow the cheese to melt evenly.
09 - While the cheese melts, spread butter on the cut sides of the hamburger buns and toast them in a separate skillet or on a griddle until golden brown.
10 - Spoon the cheesy beef mixture onto the bottom half of each toasted bun. Top with dill pickle chips, shredded lettuce, and sliced tomato as desired. Cap with the top bun and serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The crispy edges from smashed patties give you texture that regular sloppy joes completely lack.
- It comes together fast enough for a weeknight but tastes like you spent all afternoon perfecting it.
02 -
- Do not skip preheating the skillet, a cold pan means steamed beef instead of that glorious crust.
- Breaking the smashed patties into the sauce rather than starting with loose beef is what creates those satisfying chunks of crispy edge throughout.
03 -
- Smash the beef balls within seconds of placing them on the pan, waiting even ten seconds lets the meat start cooking unevenly and you lose the thin, crispy shape.
- A splash of pickle juice stirred into the sauce at the end adds a brightness that people will notice but never quite be able to identify.