The World's Best Smashed Cheeseburger

• 600 g ground beef, 20% fat
• 4 burger buns
• 8 cheese slices
• 1 onion, very finely chopped
• 80 g sliced dill pickles
• 80 g shredded iceberg lettuce
• 60 g mayonnaise
• 20 g ketchup
• 10 g yellow mustard
• 1 tbsp neutral oil
• 1 tsp fine salt
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. 1Stir mayonnaise, ketchup and mustard together in a small bowl and set aside.
2. 2Divide the beef into 8 loose balls without packing them tightly.
3. 3Heat a cast-iron skillet or griddle over high heat until very hot; lightly oil it and toast the cut sides of the buns.
4. 4Add 2 beef balls with plenty of space, smash each very thin with parchment paper and a heavy spatula, then season with salt and pepper.
5. 5Cook for 60–90 seconds until the edges are deeply browned, scrape up and flip, top with cheese and cook for 30–45 seconds more.
6. 6Repeat with the remaining beef balls.
7. 7Spread sauce on the buns and build each burger with 2 patties, onion, pickles and lettuce; serve immediately.