Craving a juicy, flavorful burger without the guilt? Look no further than the keto smash burger! This recipe delivers all the satisfaction of a classic burger while keeping your carb count low. Whether you're following a ketogenic diet or simply looking for a healthier alternative, these smash burgers are sure to become a new favorite.
What is a Smash Burger?
A smash burger is a style of hamburger characterized by its thin, crispy patty. Popularized by burger chains like SmashBurger, this technique involves pressing a loosely packed ball of ground beef onto a hot griddle or skillet, creating a maximized surface area for browning and flavor development. The result is a burger with irresistibly crispy edges and a juicy center. The beauty of the thin style burger patty, is that it cooks quickly and allows you to use a really hot cast iron or griddle to get that crispy, crusty, all over char that taste so delicious.
Why Smash Burgers?
I yell this loudly and proudly for all to hear: make burgers wider, not taller! There’s something so satisfying about a fresh hamburger off of a charcoal grill, especially in the summer. These patties are flatter, have deliciously crispy edges, and are quickly seared for maximum flavor. They’re perfect for topping and make for the perfect bite (that actually fits into your mouth).
Keto Big Mac Smash Burgers: A Low-Carb Twist on a Classic
These keto smash burgers take inspiration from the iconic Big Mac, but with a keto-friendly makeover. Topped with a keto Big Mac sauce that you'll adore, these smash burgers only have 2 grams net carbs each. There are two things that make a Big Mac different from other types of burgers. First, there is a middle layer of bread. I did this by using zero-carb tortillas. They are the perfect keto-friendly substitute for bread.
Essential Equipment
- Grill or Griddle: A cast iron skillet on the grill to cook the burgers.
- Sharp Knife and Cutting Board: For slicing up your lettuce, tomatoes, onions, etc.
- Large Spatula
- Potato Masher: (optional but helpful)
Choosing Your Ingredients Wisely
The key to a great keto smash burger lies in selecting the right ingredients.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Ground Beef
Be sure to use a ground beef that consists of an 80/20 fat ratio as well so you get that nice crispy sear when cooking.
Keto-Friendly Buns
I prefer either Sola brand or Oroweat Superior Keto Plain Hamburger Buns. If you’re not worried about carbs, just use your favorite traditional hamburger buns my friend. The easiest way to make a low carb keto hamburger bun is by making cloud bread. You only need two ingredients to make cloud bread, cream cheese and eggs.
Cheese
After you top the burgers with some cheese, add two ice cubes to the pan and cover with a lid or sheet pan. This amazes people every time I do it!
Toppings
Slice the onions, tomatoes, and lettuce.
Condiments
When you’re at the grocery store, remember to buy sugar-free ketchup.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
The Secret to the Perfect Smash
You may think that “smashing” your beef would make for a dry, unappealing patty, but there are ways to combat the fat (aka the juiciness and flavor) escaping, which we’ll get into soon enough. When you smash a burger patty while it’s cooking, fat (aka juiciness and flavor) comes oozing out right into your pan. Huge no-no! The secret for a perfect smash burger is to smash it as soon as it hits the pan; ideally no longer than 20 seconds after. At that point the fat is still solid and will be retained. Once the fat heats up and liquifies, it’s much for likely to ooze out.
Keto Big Mac Smash Burger Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Burgers:
- 1 lb Ground Beef (80/20 preferred)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 4 slices Yellow American Cheese
Smash Burger Seasoning Blend
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Coriander
- Dried oregano
- Smoked paprika
For the Big Mac Sauce:
- 1/3 cup Mayo (avocado mayo recommended)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar-Free Ketchup or 1 tsp Organic Tomato Paste
- 1 tsp Mustard
- 2 Tbsp Diced Pickles
- 1-2 tsp Pickle Juice
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
For Assembly:
- Keto-Friendly Buns (Sola, Oroweat Keto, or Cloud Bread)
- Iceberg Lettuce "buns"
- Sliced tomato
- Pickles
- 1/2 Yellow Onion, sliced thin (optional: caramelized)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Big Mac Sauce:
- In a small bowl, combine the mayo, sugar-free ketchup (or tomato paste), mustard, diced pickles, pickle juice, salt, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Mix well and taste. Adjust seasonings as needed. Flavors meld better over time, so feel free to adjust.
2. Prepare the Seasoning Blend:
- To prepare the seasoning blend, simply combine the kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, coriander, dried oregano, and smoked paprika in a small dish. Set aside.
3. Form the Burger Patties:
- To prep the hamburger patties, measure out 2 oz. of meat per patty and roll into a meatball. Repeat so you have 10 total meatballs.
- Season the tops with sea salt and cracked black pepper. Set aside.
4. Cook the Smash Burgers:
- Place cast iron skillet on the grill and get both very hot: 550°F+
- Add a little oil to the pan if necessary.
- Place two meatballs onto the griddle or pan, use a wide spatula and press down. I like to use a potato masher to help me press and smash the burgers as flat as possible. Work quickly.
- Baste the top (optional) in mustard before flipping.
- As the edges appear to brown, flip them.
- Place one piece of American cheese on one burger patty and stack the second patty over it.
- All it takes is two ice cubes and a lid to help the cheese melt perfectly and hug the sides the the cheeseburger in a way you have never seen before.
5. Assemble the Burgers:
- To assemble the patty I start with a bottom piece of lettuce (my bun). add the slice onion, the double stacked burger patty, tomato, pickles, and the sauce. Cover with the second lettuce bun and dig in!
- Top with another lettuce bun and dig in!
Alternative Method (Using Tortillas):
- Divide the ground beef into two portions and place each of them on a tortilla.
- Use your hands to press and spread the ground beef over the tortilla.
- Season each smash burger with herbed salt and pepper.
- Squeeze a little optional mustard around each smash burger if using the mustard option.
- Place one smash burger, ground beef side down, in the pan or griddle.
- Cook for two to four minutes or until the beef is browned and done.
- Using a large spatula turner, carefully flip the burger tortilla over.
- Add optional diced onions and sliced cheese to the tortilla burger, and let it cook for another minute until the cheese melts.
- Once the cheese melts, add shredded lettuce and drizzle with the special sauce. Repeat.
- Fold the burger tortilla in half like a taco and place it on a plate.
Serving Suggestions
These keto smash burgers are tasty by themselves, but you can also serve them for dinner or at parties. I suggest eating your Big Mac smash burgers fresh when they are hot off the grill. You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. But go ahead and double the Big Mac sauce recipe and keep extra in the fridge.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving, Sauce and Burger Patties Only):
- Calories: 371kcal
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 117mg
- Sodium: 439mg
- Sugar: 1g
Please calculate your own for adding additional vegetables like lettuce, tomato, onion etc. since this varies for personal taste.
Tips and Tricks
- Don't Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the burgers in batches to maintain the high heat necessary for proper searing.
- Get Your Pan Smoking Hot: A screaming hot surface is essential for achieving that crispy, caramelized crust.
- Smash with Confidence: Use a firm, even pressure when smashing the burgers to ensure a thin, uniform patty.
- Experiment with Toppings: Feel free to customize your smash burgers with your favorite keto-friendly toppings, such as avocado, bacon, or fried eggs.
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto