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easy burger recipe smash burgers
Photo credit © 2022 by Ren Fuller. Reprinted by permission of Harvest, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

5-Ingredient Kufte Smash Burgers

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The quickest, easiest, more delicious smash burgers for your summer cook-out.

  • Total Time: 15-20 minutes
  • Yield: 6

Ingredients

  • lb ground beef (you can also use ground lamb)
  • 2 Tbsp sweet paprika
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 Tbsp onion powder
  • 1 Tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 Tbsp kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper

Instructions

  1. Cut six rectangles of parchment paper, about 6-inches wide and the length of the parchment, and fold each in half to make 3-inch squares. Open each parchment square and place the meat between the two layers, portioning out the meat equally. Don’t overwork the meat — just place it freeform.
  2. Cover the top layer of parchment over and press down flatten, rolling each one with a rolling pin or wine bottle (use what you got). These will be extra-crispy burgers with lots of surface area for crunchy edges. 
  3. For the spice blend, combine all the spices in a small jar, cover, and leave on the counter.
  4. In a large skillet, heat 1 Tbsp oil over medium-high heat. Peel off the top layer of parchment paper from one of the burgers and sprinkle the top of the burger with ¾ tsp of the spice rub.
  5. Flip the burger into the hot pan, spiced-side down, and remove the parchment completely. Sprinkle the top of the burger with another ¾ tsp of the spice rub. Fry for 3 minutes or so on the first side, until crisp and golden, then flip and cook on the other side for 2-3 minutes more.
  6. Transfer to a plate and repeat to cook the remaining burgers. Wipe out the pan halfway through and add more oil as needed.

Notes

You can assemble the burgers a few days in advance. Place them, raw, lying flat, in a large storage bag in the fridge to cook fresh later in the week.

  • Author: Dini Klein
  • Prep Time: 5-10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Summertime
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern