Mississippi Smash Burgers

The simplest burger with incredible flavor. These Mississippi Smash Burgers might just become your new favorite burger. These are juicy and mouthwatering delicious.

Slightly adapted recipe by Jessica O’Donohue

What You’ll Love About Mississippi Smash Burgers:

I don’t use this word very often but these Mississippi Smash Burgers are PHENOMINAL! If you love a good simple, juicy cheese burger, you are in the right place. This recipe came across my feed on Instagram and I knew it had to be part of my YouTube episode for Viral Recipes You’ll Want To Make, which also include- Caesar Salad Chicken Nachos, Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars, and Guacamole with Corn Feta Salad. All amazing, must try recipes!

The awesome thing about these burgers is the simple, yet flavor packed ingredients. You want to start with a good quality beef and I like to use 85% lean so the meat is nice and juicy. The seasonings is what makes this burger a total flavor bomb. Au Jus gravy mix, ranch seasoning mix, and black pepper, makeup the incredible taste.

These burgers come together super fast and because the toppings and sauce consist of a simple pepperoncini mayo and pepperoncini peppers, there is little to no prep, which means you’ll have this burger in your belly in no time!

What Does Smash Burger Mean?

A smash burger is a burger patty that is smashed thin on a hot griddle using a large spatula or a burger press. This technique results in a juicy burger with crisp edges.

Why Do They Call It Mississippi Smash Burgers?

The “Mississippi” part of these burgers is a nod to the original Mississippi pot roast that Robin Chapman, of Ripley Mississippi, created, using pepperoncini peppers and ranch seasoning mix to her pot roast. This idea has inspired many recipes including these smash burgers.

Simple Ingredients:

• Ground beef– I use 85% leaner ground beef for the best flavor.
• Au Jus gravy mix– This adds a boost of savory beef flavor. It is a must!
• Ranch seasoning mix- Use a packet from the grocery store or my homemade recipe.
• Black pepper– This is used in the meat and burger sauce.
• Pepperoncini juice– The juice is used in the beef mixture and the mayo to add a zippy flavor.
• Cheese– We used pepper Jack cheese but use your cheese of choice.
• Pepperoncini pepper slices- As a condiment for the burgers. Think pickles only tangier and fruitier.
• Burger buns- You’ll want to use a soft quality burger bun.

How To Make Mississippi Smash Burgers:

See full instructions in recipe card below.

Step One. Start by heating a griddle or a large pan to medium high heat.

Step Two. In a medium bowl combine ground beef, au jus gravy mix, ranch seasoning mix, black pepper, and pepperoncini juice. Divide the meat into 4 sections and roll each section into balls.

Step Three. Make burger sauce by combing mayo, pepperoncini juice, and black pepper.

Step Four. Place burger balls on hot griddle or pan and press down with parchment paper and a burger press or large spatula. You want the patty to be nice and thin. Repeat this step with the rest of the burger balls. Cook patties on the first side for 4-5 minutes then flip and cook another 3-4 minutes before adding cheese slices.

Step Five. This step is optional but while the cheese melts, toast the inside of each bun half on the griddle with a little butter until lightly golden brown.

Assemble Burgers:

• Spread a generous layer of pepperoncini mayo on each bun half, add burger patty, then top with a few pepperoncini peppers and place the other bun half on top.

What To Serve With Mississippi Smash Burgers

Simple potato chips are always a favorite and fuss free. Serve with baked French fries, Coleslaw Pasta Salad, Crispy Parmesan Ranch Potatoes, or even my simple Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing.

Common Questions:

Other Recipes You Might Enjoy:

• Turkey Burger with Basil Mayo
• Ultimate Chicken Melt
• The Best Homemade Sloppy Joes
• Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken

Mississippi Smash Burger

The simplest burger with incredible flavor. These Mississippi Smash Burgers might just become your new favorite burger. These are juicy and mouthwatering delicious.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 Burgers

Calories: 477kcal

Equipment

• 1 Griddle or large pan
• Square piece of parchment paper about the size of a small dinner salad plate
• Burger press or large spatula I used a glass cup with a wide bottom

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef, 85% lean
• 1 tbsp Au Jus gravy mix
• 1 tbsp ranch seasoning mix, store bought or homemade
• 2 1/2 tbsp pepperoncini juice, divided
• 1/4 cup mayo
• 8 slices of pepper Jack cheese I use the ultra thin slices
• sliced pepperoncini peppers for toppings
• ground black pepper
• 4 soft, quality hamburger buns

Instructions

• In a medium bowl combine ground beef, au jus gravy mix, ranch seasoning mix, a pinch of black pepper, and 1 tbsp pepperoncini juice. Divide the meat into 4 sections and roll each section into a ball.
• Make burger sauce by combing mayo, 1 1/2 tbsp pepperoncini juice, and a pinch of black pepper.
• Heat a griddle or a large pan to medium high heat.
• Place burger balls on hot griddle or pan. Working quickly, take the parchment paper and place it on top of one of the hamburger balls. Use your meat press of choice and firmly press down on the meat to create a thin patty. Repeat this step with the rest of the burgers.
• Cook burgers on the first side for 4-5 minutes then flip and cook another 3-4 minutes before adding two slices of cheese per patty. Allow the cheese to melt.

Optional Step:

• While the cheese melts, toast the inside of each bun half on the hot griddle with a little butter until lightly golden brown.

Assemble Burgers:

• Spread a generous layer of pepperoncini mayo on each bun half, add burger patty, then top with a few pepperoncini peppers and place the other bun half on top.

Notes

What To Serve with Mississippi Smash Burgers:

Simple potato chips are always a favorite and fuss free. Serve with baked French fries, Coleslaw Pasta Salad, Crispy Parmesan Ranch Potatoes, or even my simple Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing.

Common Questions:

Why is the smash burger so popular?

Smash burgers are known for their aesthetic look, with crisp edges and a cheesy burger experience. The “smash” effect triggers a chemical reaction called the Maillard reaction. This reaction browns the meat and releases its aroma, creating a flavorful burger.

How do make the best smash burger.

One. You’ll want a good quality, higher fat ground beef. Two. It’s also important to make sure your griddle surface is hotter then if you were cooking a regular size hamburger. Usually medium high is a good temperature. Three. Press burger patty super flat, almost immediately after placing it on the grill.

Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead?

Ground turkey would be the best substitute for the beef but chicken would work as well.

 

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be understood as an estimate rather than a guarantee. The Menu Maid makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

Nutrition

Calories: 477kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 669mg | Potassium: 391mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 25IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 95mg | Iron: 4mg

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