Flavorful Dinner Ideas for Summer 2026

Heat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle over high until smoking. Include 2 tablespoons oil. Include 4 meatballs, and right away flatten to 1/4-inch-thickness with a strong, broad spatula. Prepare up until bottoms are crisp and deep brown, about 1 minute. Flip patties, top each with 1 cheese piece, and cook until bottoms are well charred and cheese is melted, 45 seconds to 1 minute.

Repeat with staying 2 tablespoons oil, staying 4 meatballs, and remaining 4 cheese slices. Preheat broiler to high with oven rack 5 to 6 inches from heat. Brush cut sides of buns with butter. Arrange buns, cut side up, on a flat pan. Broil in preheated oven until toasted, 1 to 2 minutes.

Cover with top bun halves, and serve immediately.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

Among my favorite things to cook on the Blackstone Griddle is the A homemade smash burger is super-thin burger patties cooked on a frying pan with great deals of flavor from the browned bits that develop during cooking. Those bits form a scrumptious and tasty crust with a wonderful texture. Ground beef (at least 80:20) American Cheese Leaf Lettuce Tomato slices Sweet onion slices Garlic salt Black pepper Butter Ketchup Mayonaise Mustard Relish Hamburger buns There's no right or incorrect method to prepare a smash hamburger on the Blackstone griddle.

These hamburger patties can likewise be cooked in a hot skillet like a cast-iron pan. Usually, I will make four ground chuck hamburgers per pound of beef.

Advanced Flat-Top Methods for 2026 Summer Grilling

Although I value and appreciate his technique I typically utilize a bigger bun than he does and like the hamburger to hang over the edge. That additional meat is practically like a small appetiser before consuming the burger's main bite. The Serious Eats approach uses a mix of both ground chuck and brisket for their burgers.

Think it or not, one of the finest locations I have discovered brisket burgers regularly is at WalMart. These brisket hamburgers make a terrific smash burger on the griddle however I discover they require to sit about 30 seconds longer than typical on the griddle before smashing. Hamburger being smashed under parchment paper If I'm not using a brisket hamburger mix, I utilize an 80:20, or even a 75:25 meat to fat ratio whenever possible.

Usage freshly ground beef over previously frozen whenever you can to make the burgers even more scrumptious. Or if you're daring, why not try making turkey hamburgers. Burgers are a blank canvas. I'm convinced the structure of any tasty ground meat hamburger begins is a quality hamburger bun. I always slather a little butter or mayonnaise on the bun and prepare it on the griddle until it turns somewhat golden brown.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

A few of my favorite Smashburger toppings are: Bacon Tomato Lettuce Mayonaise Mustard Dill Pickles Catsup Relish Sauteed mushrooms Barbecue sauce Grilled onions Blue Cheese crumbles Jalapeno peppers Pimento Cheese Slice of cheese Toasted buns include a pop of flavor that's a bit salty and nutty. Toasting a burger bun likewise helps to keep the bun from being soaked if you add burger sauce or other dressings like ketchup, relish, or smash sauce.

Flavorful Dinner Inspiration for Summer 2026

Many take pleasure in a minimum of some garnishes on hamburgers; the most common are lettuce, tomato, and onion. I find that the thickness of the tomato and onion can change the taste of the burger. Slicing the tomato becomes extremely important. Too thick of a slice and the tomato includes more cold wetness than needed, throwing off the meat to topping ratio.

If the onion piece is too thick, its flavor can be overwhelming. However if you get the slices to the right thickness, it complements the burger quite well and highlights how scrumptious the dish is. To achieve the perfect density of onion and tomato slices, it's important to utilize an extremely sharp knife.

Beyond a sharp knife, some frying pan devices will make this cook more fun. For the tomato, I attempt and cut round pieces slightly thinner than the thickness of a pencil.

If you prepare on putting cheese on your hamburger you can include cheese simply after turning the hamburger. Some people will also add unique sauce at this time however I prefer to slather that straight on the bun rather of on top of the slice of cheese. Always toast your buns over medium high heat in a little butter first and allow them to keep warm while the burgers cook.