Vegan Smash Burgers Recipes

VEGAN SMASH BURGERS

Steps:

• For the burgers: Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat until very hot, at least 5 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of the oil to the pan and heat until almost smoking. Lightly salt and pepper both sides of the patties and add to the pan, being careful of splattering. Cook over medium-high heat for about 4 minutes or until patties are well browned and crisping up. Flip the burgers and smash down with your spatula until they are 1/4-inch thick. Top each patty with a slice of cheese and cook until well-browned on the bottoms, about 4 minutes more. Transfer to a plate.
• While the burgers are cooking, heat a second large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. When hot, add the onions. Lower the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions brown and caramelize, about 20 minutes. Season to taste with salt.
• For the avocado spread: Place the avocado, cilantro, vinegar, salt and pepper in a food processer and pulse until well combined.
• To assemble the burgers, dollop avocado spread on the bottoms of the buns, top with patties, then onions, tomatoes and lettuce.

SWEET POTATO-BLACK BEAN BURGERS

Steps:

• Squeeze grated sweet potato with paper towels to remove excess moisture; place in a large bowl. Pulse oats in a food processor until finely ground; add to the bowl with the sweet potatoes. Add beans, scallions, mayonnaise, tomato paste, curry powder and salt to the bowl; mash the mixture together with your hands. Shape into four 1/2-inch-thick patties. Place the patties on a plate; refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Stir yogurt, dill and lemon juice together in a small bowl; set aside.
• Heat oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the patties; cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side.
• Divide the yogurt sauce evenly among top and bottom bun halves. Top each bottom bun half with a burger and cucumber slices; replace top bun halves.

SMASH BURGERS

Steps:

• Place a 9-in. cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Meanwhile, gently shape beef into 4 balls, shaping just enough to keep together (do not compact). , Increase burner temperature to medium-high; add oil. Working in batches, add beef. With a heavy metal spatula, flatten to 1/4- to 1/2-in. thickness; sprinkle each with 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper. Cook until edges start to brown, about 1-1/2 minutes. Turn burgers and sprinkle with additional 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper. Cook until well browned and a thermometer reads at least 160°, 1 minute. Repeat with remaining beef., Serve burgers on buns with toppings as desired.

SMASH BURGERS

Steps:

• Add oil or butter to a large cast-iron or stainless-steel skillet and place over medium heat. Gently divide ground beef into 8 small piles of around 4 ounces each, and even more gently gather them together into orbs that are about 2 inches in height. Do not form patties.
• Increase heat under skillet to high. Put half the orbs into the skillet with plenty of distance between them and, using a stiff metal spatula, press down on each one to form a burger that is around 4 inches in diameter and about 1/2 inch thick. Season with salt and pepper.
• Cook without moving until patties have achieved a deep, burnished crust, a little less than 2 minutes. Use the spatula to scrape free and carefully turn burgers over. If using cheese, lay slices on meat.
• Continue to cook until meat is cooked through, approximately a minute or so longer. Remove burgers from skillet, place on buns and top as desired. Repeat process with remaining burgers. Serving two hamburgers on a single bun is not an outrageous option.

SMASHED CABBAGE AND MUSHROOM VEGGIE BURGERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together egg, chickpea flour, water, soy sauce and garlic. Add onion, cabbage, mushrooms and sesame seeds; season with 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Using your hands, massage the cabbage mixture to evenly coat with the chickpea batter. Cover and let the mixture sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Juices from the vegetables will leach out and make the batter slightly wetter.
• Divide the cabbage mixture into 6 portions (about 1 1/2 cups each).
• Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a large cast-iron pan over medium-low heat. Cook 3 portions at a time, coaxing each patty together in the pan and compressing them with a flat spatula. Gently fry the patties, without disturbing them, until one side is golden brown, 7 to 8 minutes. Flip and cook the other side until the golden brown and the vegetables are cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the patties from the pan onto a wire rack. Add remaining 1/4 cup oil to the pan and cook the remaining 3 portions.
• Place a slice of cheese on each cooked vegetable patty and allow the residual heat from the patties to melt the cheese. Serve sandwiched between buns, topping with mayonnaise, tomatoes, pickles and lettuce.