June 22, 2026 · 10 min

Crispy Smashed Burgers with White Cheddar, Caramelized Onion and Old Bay Fries

Side Dish10 min1149 cal / serving

Forget everything you know about thick, juicy burgers-these smashed beauties are all about texture. By pressing seasoned ground beef into super-thin patties in a hot pan, you get lacy, crispy edges that shatter with every bite. Topped with gooey white cheddar, sweet caramelized onion and a tangy special sauce, all cradled in a soft potato bun, this is the burger you’ll crave on repeat.

On the side, crispy roasted potato wedges get a kick from Old Bay seasoning, making them the perfect partner for dipping in extra special sauce. Whether it’s game day, a casual dinner or just because, these smashed burgers deliver big flavor with minimal fuss.


Recipe details

Side Dish10 min1149 cal / serving2 servings

Nutrition per serving

Calories1149 kcalProtein40 gFat71.9 gCarbs78.8 gSugar27.3 gFiber5.2 gSodium2050 mg

Dietary labels

Gluten-free: noLactose-free: noDairy-free: no

Allergen check

Gluten / wheat: containsMilk / dairy: containsEgg: containsFish: not detectedShellfish: not detectedPeanut: not detectedTree nuts: not detectedSoy: containsSesame: not detectedMustard: containsCelery: not detectedSulphites: not detectedLupin: not detectedMolluscs: not detected

Values are calculated per serving from ingredient amounts and the ingredient nutrition reference per 100g. Allergen and diet labels use available ingredient metadata and name matching; always check product labels for strict diets or allergies. Some ingredient amounts or nutrition values were incomplete, so this is marked as a partial estimate.


Ingredients

Yellow Onion1 unit Yellow OnionView ingredient guide
Potatoes12 ounce PotatoesView ingredient guide
OLD BAY® Seasoning1 unit OLD BAY® SeasoningView ingredient guide
Mayonnaise2 tablespoon MayonnaiseView ingredient guide
Ketchup2 tablespoon KetchupView ingredient guide
Dijon Mustard2 teaspoon Dijon MustardView ingredient guide
Ground Beef10 ounce Ground BeefView ingredient guide
White Cheddar Cheese0.5 cup White Cheddar CheeseView ingredient guide
Potato Buns2 unit Potato BunsView ingredient guide
SaltSalt, to tasteView ingredient guide
PepperPepper, to tasteView ingredient guide
Cooking Oil4 teaspoon Cooking OilView ingredient guide
Sugar1 teaspoon SugarView ingredient guide

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) with a rack in the top position. Wash and dry produce. Cut potatoes into 1/2-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). Roast on the top rack until browned and crispy, 20-25 minutes.
  3. While potatoes roast, heat a 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. Add 1 teaspoon sugar and a splash of water; cook until 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 as much remaining Old Bay seasoning as you like. Set the special sauce aside.
  5. Form ground beef into 2 equal balls (4 balls for 4 servings). Season all over with salt and pepper. Heat a drizzle of oil in the same pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the beef balls and firmly flatten each with a spatula to create very thin patties (be careful of splattering oil). Cook until desired doneness, 3-4 minutes per side. In the last 1-2 minutes, top each patty with shredded white cheddar and cover the pan to melt the cheese. Remove from heat.
  6. While patties cook, halve the potato buns and toast them. Divide buns between plates and fill with patties, caramelized onion and half the special sauce. Serve with Old Bay roasted potato wedges and the remaining special sauce for dipping.

Recipe Tips

For extra crispy edges, make sure the pan is hot before adding the beef and press firmly with a spatula.

Don’t overseason the potatoes-Old Bay already contains salt and pepper.

If the patties aren’t perfectly round, don’t worry; the irregular edges get wonderfully crispy.

FAQ

Can I use a different cheese instead of white cheddar?

Yes, you can substitute with any good melting cheese like provolone, Monterey Jack or yellow cheddar.

Can I make the special sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely! The sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.

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

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

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