Crispy Smashed Cheddar Burgers with Old Bay Fries and Special Sauce

These smashed burgers are all about texture. By pressing seasoned ground beef into super-thin patties in a hot pan, you get crispy, craggy edges that are absolutely irresistible. Topped with melted white cheddar and sweet caramelized onions, then tucked into a soft potato bun, each bite is pure comfort.

On the side, crispy oven-baked potato wedges seasoned with Old Bay add a zesty kick. A quick special sauce-made with mayo, ketchup, Dijon and a hint of Old Bay-ties everything together. It’s a restaurant-quality meal you can easily make at home.

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Ingredients

1 unit Yellow OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

12 ounce Yukon Gold PotatoesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit OLD BAY® SeasoningView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon MayonnaiseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon 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

SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 teaspoon Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Adjust rack to top position and preheat oven to 425°F. Wash and dry produce. Cut potatoes into ½-inch-thick wedges. Halve, peel and thinly slice onion.
2. Toss potatoes on a baking sheet with a drizzle of oil and half the OLD BAY Seasoning (you’ll use more later). Season lightly with salt and pepper. Roast on 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 onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and softened, 8-10 minutes. Add 1 tsp 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.
4. In a second small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard and as much remaining OLD BAY Seasoning as you like. Set aside. Form beef into two equal-sized balls; season all over with salt and pepper.
5. Heat a drizzle of oil in the same pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add beef balls. Firmly flatten each ball with a spatula to create very thin patties. Cook to desired doneness, 3-4 minutes per side. In the last 1-2 minutes, top patties with cheddar; cover until cheese melts. Remove from heat.
6. While patties cook, halve and toast buns. Divide buns between plates and fill with patties, caramelized onion and half the special sauce. Serve Old Bay fries on the side with remaining special sauce for dipping.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different type of cheese?

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

What can I use instead of Old Bay seasoning?

If you don’t have Old Bay, you can use a mix of paprika, celery salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper to mimic the flavor.

Can I make the patties ahead of time?

Yes, you can form the beef balls and refrigerate them up to a day in advance. Flatten and cook just before serving for the best texture.