HIT smash

Many burger aficionados don’t fire up the grill when they need an all-beef fix. Instead, they throw a pan on the stove and start smashing. Smash burgers are made by flattening a ball of ground beef on a searing hot griddle, creating a juicy patty with a deep brown crust. It’s the style at beloved chains such as In-N-Out Burger and Shake Shack in the U.S., as well as The Burger’s Priest here in Ontario. Smash burgers are easy enough to make at home. All you need is a cast-iron pan, a sturdy metal spatula, and our recipe for Smash Burgers with Cheese, Pickles and Special Sauce (recipe on page 85).