Name: BBQ Smash Burgers with Pickle Slaw
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 ½ lbs ground beef (80/20 preferred); 1 tsp kosher salt; 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 4 slices American, cheddar, or pepper jack cheese; 4 burger buns (potato or brioche); Butter or oil (for toasting buns); ½ cup BBQ sauce (smoky or classic); Optional: 1 tsp Worcestershire or hot sauce; 2 cups shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix; ½ cup dill pickles, finely chopped; ¼ cup mayonnaise; 1 tbsp pickle juice; 1 tsp sugar or honey; ½ tsp black pepper; Crispy onions; Jalapeño slices; Extra pickles

DifficultyBeginner

BBQ Smash Burgers with Pickle Slaw feature ultra-caramelized beef patties smashed on a hot griddle, layered with melty cheese, smoky BBQ sauce, and a bright, crunchy pickle slaw. This easy smash burger recipe is perfect for backyard grilling, griddles, or cast iron—fast, bold, and irresistibly messy.

Yields4 Servings

Prep Time15 minsCook Time15 minsTotal Time30 mins

For the Smash Burgers

1 ½ lbs ground beef (80/20 preferred)

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

4 slices American, cheddar, or pepper jack cheese

4 burger buns (potato or brioche)

Butter or oil (for toasting buns)

BBQ Sauce

½ cup BBQ sauce (smoky or classic)

Optional: 1 tsp Worcestershire or hot sauce

Pickle Slaw

2 cups shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix

½ cup dill pickles, finely chopped

¼ cup mayonnaise

1 tbsp pickle juice

1 tsp sugar or honey

½ tsp black pepper

Optional Extras

Crispy onions

Jalapeño slices

Extra pickles

Make the pickle slaw

In a bowl, mix cabbage, chopped pickles, mayo, pickle juice, sugar, and black pepper.
Chill until ready to use (even 10 minutes helps).

Prep the burgers

Divide beef into 4 loose balls (don’t overwork).
Season outside lightly with salt and pepper only.

Preheat the cooking surface

Heat grill griddle, flat-top, or cast iron skillet to high heat until smoking hot.

Smash & sear

Place beef balls on hot surface.
Smash firmly with a spatula or burger press until very thin.
Cook 2–3 minutes until deeply browned and crispy.

Flip & finish

Flip patties.
Brush lightly with BBQ sauce.
Add cheese immediately.
Cook 1–2 minutes until cheese melts.

Toast buns

Butter buns lightly.
Toast cut-side down until golden.

Assemble burgers

Bottom bun → smash patty → extra BBQ sauce → pickle slaw → top bun.
Serve immediately.

Side Information (Perfect Smash Burger Sides)

French fries or smash fries
Onion rings
Grilled corn on the cob
Potato salad
Coleslaw (extra pickle-forward works great)

Pairing Suggestions

Beer: IPA, pale ale, or lager
Wine: Zinfandel or chilled rosé
Non-alcoholic: Cola, root beer, or iced tea

Tips & Notes

Smash burgers need high heat—don’t be shy.
Only salt the outside right before cooking.
Use a thin spatula and scrape hard to keep the crust intact.
American cheese melts best for smash burgers.
Double the patties if you want a true diner-style stack.

CategoryBBQ, Beef

Ingredients