Smashed Bacon Cheeseburgers with Old Bay Fries and Special Sauce

These smashed bacon cheeseburgers are all about texture. Thin, crispy-edged patties are pressed flat in a hot pan, then topped with gooey white cheddar and piled onto soft potato buns with sweet caramelized onions and a tangy special sauce. The result is a burger that’s crunchy, juicy and utterly satisfying.

On the side, crispy potato wedges tossed with Old Bay seasoning add a spicy, savory kick. The same special sauce doubles as a dip for the fries, tying the whole meal together. It’s a crowd-pleasing dinner that comes together in under an hour.

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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

10 ounce Ground BeefView 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

2 unit Potato BunsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 teaspoon Dijon MustardView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 ounce BaconView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon (tsp) SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 teaspoon (tsp) Cooking OilView 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 (reserve the rest). 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 caramelized and jammy, 2-3 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a small bowl.
4. In another small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard and remaining Old Bay Seasoning to taste. Set aside. Form beef into 2 equal balls (4 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 beef balls. Firmly flatten each with a spatula into thin patties (watch for splatter). Cook 3-4 minutes per side. In the last 1-2 minutes, top patties with cheddar; cover pan to melt cheese. Remove from heat.
6. Halve and toast potato buns. Divide buns between plates and fill with patties, caramelized onion and half the special sauce. Serve with Old Bay fries and remaining special sauce for dipping.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different cheese?

Yes, provolone or American cheese also melt well and complement the flavors.

How do I prevent the patties from sticking?

Make sure the pan is hot and well-oiled before adding the beef. Use a thin metal spatula to scrape under the patties when flipping.

Can I make the fries ahead of time?

Yes, roast them as directed and reheat in a 400°F oven for 5 minutes to restore crispness.