This Smash Burger grilled cheese is what happens when you combine two of America's most iconic sandwiches. To make it even more delicious, we're using my tasty smashburger sauce to caramelize the patties and using it as the sauce.

a smash burger grilled cheese sitting on a white plate with a green background.

Why You'll Love It

When you sink your teeth into this Smashburger grilled cheese recipe, you'll wonder why you haven't made this delicious sandwich sooner!

You'll love how the perfectly toasted bread encases the gooey, melted cheese while the smashburger adds a crispy crunch and the sauce adds a creamy component.

There's something inherently comforting about a grilled cheese. But when It's loaded with a fried Smash burger patty and my burger sauce, it's elevated to a whole new level.

So whether you're indulging in a quick lunch for the fam or savoring it as a late-night snack, this smashburger grilled cheese sandwich fits the bill.

It's a timeless classic with a fun modern twist that offers a familiar yet exciting experience with every bite.

So, if you're craving comfort food, look no further than my Smash Burger Grilled Cheese.

a hand holding two halves of a smashburger grilled cheese

Ingredients & Substitutions

Ground Beef: To make the best smash burger, you'll want to make sure that you use ground beef. I don't recommend switching up the protein on this sandwich.
Onion: You can use red onion, yellow onion or white onion.
Smashburger Sauce: If you don't feel like making my smashburger sauce, you could absolutely use another special sauce. I recommend the burger sauce from Trader Joe's if you're looking for a store bought alternative.
White Bread: Feel free to switch it up and use any type of bread you prefer on these smashburger grilled cheese sandwiches. I recommend sourdough, rye, white, or even texas toast.
American Cheese: I feel very strongly about using American cheese on burgers but if you're against it (which I get!) then use sharp cheddar.
Havarti Cheese: I love how Havarti gets super creamy and melts really well on a grilled cheese but you could absolutely swap it for another cheese. Try muenster, swiss, pepperjack, white cheddar or even mozzarella.
Dill Pickles: If you don't like pickles, you could leave them off.
Salted Butter: If you only have unsalted butter, then just add an extra pinch of salt to make up for it.

a smashburger grilled cheese on a white plate with a blue rim.

Detailed Instructions

Making these smashburger grilled cheese sandwiches is super easy. All you need to do is follow these directions:

Make the Patties: Divide ground beef into four quarters and roll them into balls.
Heat you Skillet: Meanwhile, get a large cast iron skillet or flat top griddle super, smoking hot.
Cook the Patties: Once the surface begins to smoke, add the beef balls and top each one with a hefty pinch of salt, fresh cracked pepper, 1 teaspoon of burger sauce and equal parts sliced onion. Place a sheet of wax or parchment paper on top of each burger (to avoid it sticking to the spatula) and smash the burger down using a thin metal spatula and something heavy like a sandwich press or a meat mallet. Once the burgers look like they’re caramelizing and about 60% cooked through, flip them, scraping up any bits that might be sticking to the cooktop.

a smashburger on the grill topped with two slices of american cheese.

Add Cheese: Once flipped, top each of the smash burgers with 2 slices of American cheese. As it melts, use a thermometer to check the temperature of the beef. The burgers are done when they reach 165F degrees.
Build the Sandwich: Turn the heat to low and smear the burger sauce onto four slices of bread.

a burger grilled cheese cooking in a frying pan.

Grill the Sandwiches: Melt half of the butter on the other clean side of the skillet or cooktop. While doing this, make sure there are no burnt bits or anything sticking to it. Place those four bread slices, sauce side up. Flip the cheeseburgers onto the sauced bread - cheese side down. Top with a few slices of pickles then evenly distribute the shredded havarti over it. Place the other slice of bread on top and use the remaining butter to butter them. Once the bottom half of the sandwich is cooked to golden brown and most of the cheese has melted, flip it. Continue cooking the smashburger grilled cheese for a few mintues. It's ready once the sandwich is golden brown and the remaining cheese has completely melted.
Rest & Serve: Remove from heat and let rest 1 minute before serving. Serve with remaining smash burger sauce for dunking.

an up close vie of the layers of a smashburger grilled cheese.

What goes with a Burger Grilled Cheese?

Here are some of my favorite easy side dishes to serve with this smashburger grilled cheese:

Recipe