Crispy Smashed Burgers with Old Bay Fries and Special Sauce

Get ready for burger perfection with these crispy smashed burgers. The secret is in the technique: balls of ground beef are pressed flat in a hot pan, creating thin patties with irresistibly crunchy, craggy edges. Topped with gooey white cheddar and piled onto soft potato buns with sweet caramelized onion and a tangy special sauce, every bite is a flavor explosion.

On the side, crispy potato wedges seasoned with Old Bay bring a spicy, savory kick. The same special sauce doubles as a dip for the fries, tying the whole meal together. Whether for a weeknight dinner or a casual gathering, these burgers are sure to impress.

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Ingredients

1 unit Yellow OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

12 ounce PotatoesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit OLD BAY® SeasoningView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon MayonnaiseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit KetchupView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 teaspoon Dijon MustardView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Ground BeefView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup White Cheddar CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit Potato BunsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Salt, to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Pepper, to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 teaspoon Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and adjust rack to top position. Wash and dry produce. Cut potatoes into ½-inch-thick wedges. Halve, peel and thinly slice the onion.
2. On a baking sheet, toss potato wedges with a drizzle of oil and half the Old Bay seasoning. Season lightly with salt and pepper (the seasoning already contains salt and pepper). Roast on the top rack until browned and crispy, 20-25 minutes.
3. While potatoes roast, heat a large drizzle of oil in a medium nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add sliced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and softened, 8-10 minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon sugar and a splash of water; cook until onion is caramelized and jammy, 2-3 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
4. In another small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard and remaining Old Bay seasoning to taste. Mix well and set aside. Form ground beef into two equal balls (four balls for 4 servings). Season all over with salt and pepper.
5. Heat a drizzle of oil in the same pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the beef balls. Using a spatula, firmly flatten each ball into a very thin patty (be careful of splattering oil). Cook until desired doneness, 3-4 minutes per side. During the last 1-2 minutes, top patties with shredded white cheddar and cover the pan to melt the cheese. Remove from heat.
6. While patties cook, halve and toast the potato buns. Divide buns among plates and assemble burgers: place patties on bottom buns, top with caramelized onion and half the special sauce. Serve with Old Bay fries on the side and remaining special sauce for dipping.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes, you can substitute white cheddar with provolone, Monterey Jack or American cheese for a different flavor.

How do I prevent the patties from sticking to the spatula?

Lightly oil the spatula or use a piece of parchment paper between the spatula and the meat to prevent sticking.

Can I make the fries in an air fryer?

Absolutely! Toss the potato wedges with oil and Old Bay, then air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, shaking halfway through, until crispy.