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Flavorful Smash Burger Bowl Recipe with Easy Special Sauce and Pickled Red Onion

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A quick and easy smash burger bowl featuring juicy, crispy-edged beef patties, tangy pickled red onions, and a creamy special sauce, perfect for a bun-free indulgent meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef, 80/20 blend
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or neutral oil
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon pickle juice or lemon juice
  • 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce or mixed greens
  • 1 large tomato, sliced or diced
  • Pickles or sliced jalapeños (optional)
  • Cheddar cheese slices or shredded cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pickled Red Onions: In a mixing bowl, combine apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. Stir until sugar and salt dissolve. Place thinly sliced red onions in a jar or bowl and pour the pickling liquid over them. Press down to submerge onions fully. Let them sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour or refrigerate overnight.
  2. Make the Special Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, minced garlic, and pickle juice. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Set aside in the fridge until ready to serve.
  3. Form the Beef Balls: Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions (about 4 oz each). Lightly shape each into a loose ball without packing tightly.
  4. Cook the Smash Burgers: Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add vegetable oil. Once shimmering, place one beef ball in the skillet. Using a metal spatula, press down firmly to smash the ball into a thin patty about ¼-inch thick. Cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until edges are crispy and brown. Flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until cooked through. Season each patty with salt and pepper while cooking. Repeat with remaining balls.
  5. Assemble the Bowls: Divide shredded lettuce or greens into 4 bowls. Top each with a smashed burger patty. Add tomato slices, a generous spoonful of pickled red onions, a drizzle of special sauce, and cheese if using. Finish with pickles or jalapeños if desired.
  6. Final Touch: Squeeze fresh lemon or sprinkle freshly ground black pepper over the bowl before serving.

Notes

Do not press the burgers too hard to retain juiciness. Salt patties when they hit the pan to form a flavorful crust. Rest patties for a minute after cooking to redistribute juices. Use a metal spatula for smashing and flipping. Pickled onions taste better after a few hours or overnight. Store leftovers separately and reheat gently.

Nutrition

Keywords: smash burger, burger bowl, special sauce, pickled red onion, quick dinner, easy recipe, low carb, keto, gluten-free

Find it online: https://milaspoon.com/flavorful-smash-burger-bowl-recipe-with-easy-special-sauce-and-pickled-red-onion/