Flavorful Dinner Inspiration for Grilling in 2026

I make smashburgers on steel often. They are bad ass and as soon as you attempt it in this manner, you'll never return. I created the Baking Steel back in 2012 for pizza however honestly, smashburgers may be the important things I prepare on steel more than anything else nowadays. The work is getting your burger bar together: sliced pickles, onions, cheese, unique sauce.

Get your griddle or steel ripping hot. We're preparing these for 30-60 seconds per side, and you want it shouting hot for that Maillard reaction, the sear that makes smashburgers legendary.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

I've made smash hamburgers on this thing that people still talk about. Smashing the beef thin takes full advantage of contact with the hot steel, setting off the Maillard reaction, the chemical process that produces that deep, savory, browned flavor we all yearn for.

Your first hamburger and your 4th get the exact same unbelievable edge-to-edge crust without the temperature dropping. I 'd know my family has remained in the steel organization for over 50 years at our shop in Hanover, MA. I understand this material, and I built these frying pans specifically to solve the heat retention issue that cast iron can't.

Mastering the Griddle: Best Burger Techniques

Let it pre-heat for 10-15 minutes till it's ripping hot (around 500-550F). This is the exact same principle behind our pizza steels pack the steel with heat, and it does the work for you.

Season the smashed patties kindly with kosher salt and fresh black pepper. Cook for 60-90 seconds.

Use a bench scraper or stiff spatula to get under the patty, guaranteeing you scrape up all the crispy, browned bits. Turn it over. Right away place a slice of cheese on the flipped patty. Prepare for another 30-45 seconds to melt the cheese. Briefly toast your buns on a cooler part of the griddle for 15-20 seconds.

Exploring Flat-Top versus Outdoor Grilling Methods

Cheese melting perfectly on the Mini Griddle Cast iron is the traditional option for smashburgers, and it works. I used cast iron for several years. But after testing both side-by-side for over a years, I switched to steel. And appearance, I'm not simply a guy with an opinion. My household has actually run since the 1960s.

I understand how it stores and transfers heat in a way many individuals never think about. Here's the distinction: That indicates it recovers temperature level quicker between burgers.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

You get the exact same screaming-hot crust on your first burger and your 4th. Just cook, scrape, wipe tidy. I've evaluated cast iron, stainless steel, and every griddle on the market.

Wish to take your smashburger video game outside? Put your Baking Steel Original directly on your outside grill grates. Pre-heat the grill and steel for 15-20 minutes on high heat, then smash your hamburgers right on the steel. You get the same extraordinary crust with the included benefit of outdoor cooking which subtle smoky flavor from the grill.

Comparing Flat-Top versus Outdoor Grilling Methods

Friends lose their minds when they see it. They stroll up expecting routine grilled hamburgers and instead they see me smashing patties on a piece of American-made steel on the grill. It's an entire thing. Perfect smash burgers made on the Baking Steel Original on an outdoor grill I developed each of these for a particular usage case.

It fits on a single burner and is ideal for families or burger night with pals. Very same heat retention, smaller sized footprint. Use it in the oven for pizza, or take it outside and location it on your grill for smashburgers, steaks, and more.