Dubbed as one of the biggest food trends in 2024*, smash burgers have continued to increase in popularity across the world, and especially in the UK. As opposed to a traditional burger patty, smash burgers are a style of burger where the patty is pressed or “smashed” onto a hot pan or skillet during cooking. This technique of cooking produces a thin, crispy-edged patty, while still maintaining the tasty juices.
However, research by online butchers Campbells Meat shows a new burger contender is sizzling onto the scene as Google searches for “Oklahoma smash burgers” have increased by more than 5,000% across the UK in the last 30 days.
What are Oklahoma smash burgers?
A spokesperson from Campbells Meat comments,
“Oklahoma smash burgers are a tasty variation of the classic smash burger, where thinly sliced onions are pressed into the patty as it cooks, allowing them to caramelise and blend into the rich beef taste, adding a sweet flavour.
“Typically, these burgers are topped with melted American cheese, mustard, and pickles, and it’s the simple yet flavourful burger with the perfect balance of crispy texture and savoury, tangy taste that makes it a strong favourite.”
How to perfect the Oklahoma smash burger at home
Experts at Campbells Meat have revealed six top tips for perfecting the famous Oklahoma smash burgers at home.
-
Choose the best beef
Campbells Meat recommends choosing high-quality beef burgers with at least 20% fat content. This ensures that the patties stay juicy while achieving that delicious crispy crust. The experts say avoid over-handling the meat by forming loose balls instead of tightly packed patties.
-
Thinly slice the onions
Onions are the key to a perfect Oklahoma smash burger. Campbells Meat says to use a sharp knife to slice the onions so they are paper-thin. This ensures they cook quickly and caramelise evenly as they’re pressed into the patty.
-
Preheat the pan
Before cooking the smash burgers, make sure to preheat the pan until it’s very hot before adding the burger patty. This helps to create the crispy edge and ensures even cooking throughout.
-
Smash the patty straight away
As soon as the beef ball hits the hot pan, press on it firmly with a spatula. The experts say to smash the patty until it is as flat as possible to help lock in moisture and create more surface area for the crispy crust. Once the patty is smashed to the desired thickness, quickly press a handful of the thinly sliced onions into the top of the raw meat, letting them cook in the patty.
-
Top with cheese
Once the patty has been flipped and cooked throughout, add a layer of American cheese on top before taking off the heat. This will create a gooey, cheesy and delicious topping.
-
Choose the right condiments
The tip for perfecting a well cooked Oklahoma smash burger is to keep the condiments simple. Experts at Campbells Meat say these burgers are best served with classic yellow mustard, pickles, and a soft brioche burger bun, letting the rich flavours of the beef and onions take centre stage.
