Chef Kris Makes Diner-Style Smash Burgers | Lodge Cast Iron Recipe of the Month

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: American cheese

Reduced-fat cheese lowers calories without sacrificing flavor.

burger buns

🥗Healthier: whole grain buns

💰Cheaper: white bread

Whole grain buns add fiber, while white bread is often cheaper.

Roast garlic in the oven beforehand.

Squish roasted garlic and add salt to make a paste.

In a bowl, whisk together 2 egg yolks and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard.

Slowly add extra virgin olive oil while whisking to emulsify the sauce.

Incorporate garlic paste into the aioli mixture and add Tabasco sauce and lemon juice.

Season with salt and pepper, then refrigerate the aioli for 30 minutes.

Use a mandolin to slice onions thinly.

Heat a 15-inch cast iron skillet over medium-low heat and cook bacon until crispy.

Set bacon aside and use the rendered fat to cook the burgers.

Form 3-ounce meatballs of ground beef and place them on the skillet with onions underneath.

Smash the meatballs with a flat iron press and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Cook for 1-2 minutes until crispy, then flip the burgers.

Add cheddar cheese on top and add a splash of water to create steam to melt the cheese.

Dress the burgers with roasted garlic aioli, bacon, bib lettuce, and tomato.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens