As seen in our latest Instagram reel
Crispy buttery bread, juicy smashed beef, caramelized onions, and gooey melted cheese — these Grilled Cheese Smash Burgers bring the best of a classic patty melt and grilled cheese into one irresistible bite. This is the burger-night upgrade from @lilyscravekitchen_ that had everyone commenting BURGER for the recipe. Thin, seasoned beef patties are smashed until beautifully browned, layered with melty cheese and savory onions, then tucked between golden, buttery slices of bread grilled to crunchy perfection.
Why you’ll love them
- Two classics in one: diner patty melt meets grilled cheese, with maximum crispy edges.
- Smashing the patties thin means more browned, caramelized surface — more flavor.
- Caramelized onions + double cheese + buttery bread is pure comfort math.
- Faster than firing up the grill, and the whole thing cooks on one griddle.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20)
- 8 slices sourdough or sturdy white bread
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp butter, softened, plus more for the griddle
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Caramelize. Cook the onion in a buttered skillet over medium-low heat 15–20 minutes until soft and golden. Set aside.
- Smash. Divide the beef into 4 loose balls. On a screaming-hot griddle, smash each ball paper-thin with a heavy spatula. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Flip & cheese. Cook 2 minutes, flip, top each patty with cheese, and cook 1–2 minutes more until the edges are crisp.
- Grill the bread. Butter the bread slices and griddle until golden and crisp on one side.
- Assemble. Stack a cheesy patty and a spoonful of caramelized onions between two bread slices, crispy sides out. Press, slice, and serve hot.
Tips
- Smash once, firmly, in the first 30 seconds — pressing later just squeezes out juice.
- Sturdy bread matters; flimsy slices fall apart under a juicy patty.
- Keep the griddle hot between batches so every burger gets the same crust.
- A swipe of burger sauce or Dijon on the bread takes these over the top.
Nutrition
Estimated per burger (makes 4): ~590 calories, ~30g protein, ~35g fat, ~34g carbs. Values are estimates computed from USDA reference data, not lab-tested.
Burger night just got an upgrade — who’s making these first? Follow @lilyscravekitchen_ on Instagram for the reel and more easy recipes.
