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

These smashed burgers are all about texture. By pressing balls of ground beef into a hot skillet, you get thin patties with irresistibly crispy, craggy edges. Topped with gooey white cheddar, sweet caramelized onions and a tangy special sauce, they’re sandwiched between soft potato buns for the perfect bite.

On the side, crispy fries tossed with Old Bay seasoning add a savory, slightly spicy kick. This recipe is a fun twist on classic burger night, guaranteed to impress your family or guests.

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Ingredients

12 ounce PotatoesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup White Cheddar CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Old Bay SeasoningView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit KetchupView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon MayonnaiseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Ground BeefView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit Potato BunsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 teaspoon Dijon MustardView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 teaspoon (tsp) Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon (tsp) SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Cut potatoes into ½-inch thick fries. On a baking sheet, toss fries with 2 tsp cooking oil and Old Bay seasoning. Spread in a single layer and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.
2. While fries bake, thinly slice the onion. Heat 1 tsp oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden brown, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in sugar and cook 1 minute more. Transfer to a bowl.
3. In a small bowl, mix ketchup, mayonnaise and Dijon mustard to make the special sauce. Set aside.
4. Divide ground beef into 4 equal balls. Heat remaining 1 tsp oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Place beef balls in the skillet and immediately press down firmly with a spatula to form thin patties (about 4 inches wide). Season with salt and pepper. Cook until edges are crispy and browned, about 2-3 minutes. Flip, top each patty with white cheddar and cook until cheese melts, about 1-2 minutes more.
5. Toast potato buns in the skillet or oven until lightly golden. Spread special sauce on both halves of each bun. Place two patties on each bottom bun, top with caramelized onions and close with the top bun.
6. Serve burgers immediately with Old Bay fries on the side.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different cheese instead of white cheddar?

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

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.

What if I don't have Old Bay seasoning?

You can use a mix of paprika, celery salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper as a substitute.