How to Make an Ultra-Cheesy Fondue Smash Burger

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: American cheese

Reduced-fat cheese lowers calories while maintaining flavor.

Swiss cheese

🥗Healthier: low-fat Swiss cheese

💰Cheaper: provolone cheese

Provolone is often less expensive and melts well.

burger buns

🥗Healthier: whole grain buns

💰Cheaper: white sandwich bread

Whole grain offers more fiber, while sandwich bread can be a budget option.

Start by preparing a cheese sauce in a 1-gallon Ziploc freezer bag.

Roll back the edges of the bag and place it in a tall vessel for stability.

Add shredded aged sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheese to the bag.

Pour in milk as the base liquid and add kosher salt, sodium citrate, and sodium hexame phosphate.

Pinch the clumps of cheese to allow milk to flow freely between them.

Preheat a water bath to 167°F and clip the bag to the edge.

Cook the cheese mixture in the water bath for about 15 minutes, agitating the bag occasionally to expedite melting.

After 15 minutes, check the cheese sauce; it should be melted but may have some clumps.

Transfer the melted cheese to a blender and blend on low speed to emulsify.

After about 30 seconds of blending, add cornstarch to the mixture.

Increase the blender speed to heat the mixture to about 195°F to fully hydrate the cornstarch.

Blend for a total of 3 minutes until the cheese sauce is thick and smooth.

Transfer the cheese sauce to a small pot and keep it warm over low heat.

Prepare the burger patties by weighing out 1 lb of ground beef.

Add 1% salt and 1.5% gelatin to the ground beef and mix gently to combine.

Divide the beef into quarter-pound portions and shape them into balls.

Set up a 12-inch skillet for searing the patties, ensuring it is large enough for both.

Heat the skillet over medium-high heat until hot.

Place the beef balls in the skillet and smash them down with a spatula until about 1/2 inch thick.

Cook the patties for 3-4 minutes until a crust forms on the bottom.

Flip the patties and immediately top each with a slice of cheddar and Swiss cheese.

Cover the skillet to melt the cheese, about 1-2 minutes.

Assemble the burgers by placing the cheesy patties on the bottom bun, then top with the prepared cheese sauce.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens