Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions. Gently form each portion into a loose ball. Do not overwork the meat.
Preheat a cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp butter.
Place a beef ball onto the hot skillet. Immediately smash it down firmly with a sturdy spatula or burger press to about 1/2 inch thickness. Season generously with salt and pepper.
Cook for 1-2 minutes until the edges are browned and crispy.
Flip the burger and immediately place a slice of American cheese on top.
Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted and the burger is cooked through.
While the second side cooks, lightly butter the cut sides of the burger buns and toast them on the skillet until golden brown.
Remove burgers from the skillet. Assemble your burgers with your desired toppings and sauce.
Notes
For extra crispy edges, ensure your skillet is very hot before smashing the burgers.
Don’t overcrowd the skillet; cook burgers in batches if necessary.
Experiment with different burger sauce recipes for unique flavors.
Consider this a great alternative to some meal planning services for a fun weekend meal.