Recipe Ancestor

Who made this first (probably)?

Finding the original so you can buy the book.

trace: Smash Burgers

as of Sep 15, 2026

Smash Burgers

VIRAL	ANCESTOR
Smash Burgers #3 · dinner · american Host: Serious Eats — Smashburgers → TikTok → web writeups Viral recipe (as published / commonly shared) Ingredients 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20), divided into 2–3 oz balls Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper Burger buns, toasted American or cheddar cheese slices Thinly sliced onion (optional) Pickles, ketchup, mustard, mayo as desired Steps Heat a cast-iron skillet or griddle over high heat until ripping hot; lightly oil. Place a beef ball on the surface; smash hard and thin with a stiff spatula (use parchment if needed) for lacey edges. Season generously with salt and pepper; cook undisturbed until deep brown underneath, about 1–2 minutes. Flip, add cheese, and cook briefly until cheese melts and edges are crisp. Transfer to toasted buns with onions and condiments; serve immediately. Source: Serious Eats — Smashburgers tags: beef,bun,onion,cheese · popularity: evergreen · meat: yes	Smash burgers Book: The Food Lab — J. Kenji López-Alt (2015) crumb: thin smashed beef patty, hard sear Science-forward American burger technique emphasizing crust. Differences: Essentially the same thin-patty smash method and Maillard crust focus.

VIRAL

ANCESTOR

Smash Burgers
#3 · dinner · american
Host: Serious Eats — Smashburgers → TikTok → web writeups

Viral recipe (as published / commonly shared)

Ingredients

1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20), divided into 2–3 oz balls
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Burger buns, toasted
American or cheddar cheese slices
Thinly sliced onion (optional)
Pickles, ketchup, mustard, mayo as desired

Steps

Heat a cast-iron skillet or griddle over high heat until ripping hot; lightly oil.
Place a beef ball on the surface; smash hard and thin with a stiff spatula (use parchment if needed) for lacey edges.
Season generously with salt and pepper; cook undisturbed until deep brown underneath, about 1–2 minutes.
Flip, add cheese, and cook briefly until cheese melts and edges are crisp.
Transfer to toasted buns with onions and condiments; serve immediately.

Source: Serious Eats — Smashburgers

tags: beef,bun,onion,cheese · popularity: evergreen · meat: yes

Smash burgers
Book: The Food Lab — J. Kenji López-Alt (2015)

crumb: thin smashed beef patty, hard sear

Science-forward American burger technique emphasizing crust.

Differences: Essentially the same thin-patty smash method and Maillard crust focus.

Match: Exact

Recipes for print / share

Viral recipe

Smash Burgers

Viral recipe (as published / commonly shared)

Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20), divided into 2–3 oz balls
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Burger buns, toasted
- American or cheddar cheese slices
- Thinly sliced onion (optional)
- Pickles, ketchup, mustard, mayo as desired

Steps
1. Heat a cast-iron skillet or griddle over high heat until ripping hot; lightly oil.
2. Place a beef ball on the surface; smash hard and thin with a stiff spatula (use parchment if needed) for lacey edges.
3. Season generously with salt and pepper; cook undisturbed until deep brown underneath, about 1–2 minutes.
4. Flip, add cheese, and cook briefly until cheese melts and edges are crisp.
5. Transfer to toasted buns with onions and condiments; serve immediately.

Citations
- Serious Eats — Smashburgers: https://www.seriouseats.com/smashburgers-recipe
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=Smash+Burgers
- web writeups: https://www.google.com/search?q=Smash+Burgers+recipe

Compiled for personal use; see citations.

Viral recipe (as published / commonly shared) with citations — not a cookbook reprint. Download smash-burgers.txt

Trace receipt

Dish: Smash Burgers
Match: Exact
Ancestor: Smash burgers
Source: The Food Lab — J. Kenji López-Alt (2015)
Differences: Essentially the same thin-patty smash method and Maillard crust focus.
Book recipe: Not offered for print/share (not public domain). Buy or borrow the book.
Viral sources: Serious Eats — Smashburgers (https://www.seriouseats.com/smashburgers-recipe)
TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=Smash+Burgers)
web writeups (https://www.google.com/search?q=Smash+Burgers+recipe)
Date: Sep 15, 2026

Source — what this book IS
The Food Lab — J. Kenji López-Alt (2015).
Science-driven American cooking that explains the mechanics behind burgers, fries, eggs, roasting, and weeknight staples.

Affiliate: buy the book

Recipe Ancestor

Smash Burgers

Recipes for print / share

Viral recipe

Trace receipt

Related

Same meal (dinner)

Same cuisine (american)

Same book (The Food Lab)