In this smash burger recipe, each patty gets delightfully crispy edges cooking in a cast-iron skillet. Add a slice of cheese and a few crunchy pickles, and these smash burgers taste like they were made in a restaurant.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (preferably 80% lean)
• 1 teaspoon canola oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• 1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper, divided
• 4 hamburger buns, split
• optional: mayonnaise, sliced american cheese, sliced tomato, dill pickle slices, lettuce, ketchup and yellow mustard

Directions

1. Place a 9-in. cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Meanwhile, gently shape beef into 4 balls, shaping just enough to keep together (do not compact).
2. Increase burner temperature to medium-high; add oil. Add 2 beef balls. With a heavy metal spatula, flatten each to 1/4- to 1/2-in. thickness; sprinkle each with 1/8 tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. pepper. Cook until edges start to brown, about 1-1/2 minutes. Turn burgers and sprinkle each with additional 1/8 tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. pepper. Cook until well browned and a thermometer reads at least 160°, about 1 minute. Repeat with remaining beef.
3. Serve burgers on buns with toppings as desired.