Juicy Low Carb Smash Burgers

Name: Juicy Low Carb Smash Burgers
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 10 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 pounds 80/20 ground beef; 2 tablespoons steak seasoning; 1 teaspoon salt, optional

by KetoFocus.com

4.7 Stars (6 Reviews) 3 Comments

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The way to have a juicy hamburger you can sink your teeth in is to smash it. Smash burgers have a juicy interior and a crispy outer edge. It's the only way to eat a burger. Once you start smashing your burgers, you will never turn back!

keto smash burger with all the fixings on a bun

13 Mins

Nutrition Facts

Servings

387

Calories

30.7g

Fat

26.7g

Protein

Net Carb

Total Carbs

Smash Burgers Recipe Video

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Juicy Low Carb Smash Burgers Ingredients

2 pounds 80/20 ground beef
2 tablespoons steak seasoning
1 teaspoon salt, optional

Juicy Low Carb Smash Burgers Directions

STEP

1

Preheat grill

Preheat grill to 450 to 500 degrees F. Divide ground beef into 6 equal portions.
STEP

2

Form burger balls

Grab one portion of ground beef at a time and loosely form it into a ball. Do not firmly pack it into a ball. You want the strands to still be loose in order to yield the juiciest burger. Set aside on a flat surface or parchment paper. Repeat with other portions of hamburger meat.
STEP

3

Smash burgers

Place a piece of parchment paper over the patties. Then give each patty a wack with the palm of your hand, smashing the burger down. Remove the parchment paper. See instructions below for cooking burger patties in a cast iron skillet on the grill.
STEP

4

Season with salt

Sprinkle each side of the patties with steak seasoning and salt.
STEP

5

Grill

Spray the grill with cooking oil spray or wipe the grate with a paper towel dipped in oil. Use tongs to wipe the grate with the oiled paper towel. Place patties on the grill and grill over direct heat. Cook until desired level of doneness. Rare - cook for about 4 minutes (125 F); Medium-rare - cook for 5 minutes (135 F); Medium - cook for 6 to 7 minutes (145 F); Well-done - cook for 8 to 9 minutes (160 F). Flip the burgers half way through cooking. If desired, add cheese when you have about 1 minute left of cooking.

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Keto Smash Burgers

stacked keto hamburger with all the fixings

The best keto hamburger is a smash burger. Smashing your burgers right before cooking creates a beautiful brown crust on the surface of the burger thanks to the Maillard Reaction while maintaining a juicy interior. Having a juicy, delicious burger is key when you are low carb and eating a bunless burger since the hamburger is the star of the show. Burgers are an easy go-to keto dinner you can make any night of the week. Of course, they are especially popular when the weather gets warmer and it’s grill season. Now that you have the best burger recipe, you just need to make the best keto french fries!

What is a Smash Burger?

The key to making a good smash burger is to keep the meat loose. The more you mold it and pack it together, the more you will end up with a solid piece of grilled meatloaf. Grad a handful of ground beef and lightly form it into a ball. You want loose strands of ground beef. There is no need to round off or mold in the edges of the burger. Those loose ends get crispy and are delicious!

When Should You Smash Your Burger?

If you are using a grill to cook your smash burgers, we like to smash our burgers before they hit the grill. That way the loose bits of ground beef don’t fall into the grill and you get delicate, melt in your mouth, juicy burgers. We smash our burgers by giving each ball of hamburger a whack with the palm of the hand. Place the balls in between two pieces of parchment paper. Smash each one down with the palm of your hand. Then season them with steak seasoning and salt. If you don’t have access to a grill or want to cook your burgers on a cast iron skillet, you can smash your burgers once they are in the pan. Use a spatula or grill press.

Best Ways to Cook Smash Burgers?

We like to cook our smash burgers on the grill but if you prefer burgers with crispy edges, cook them in a cast iron skillet. The benefits of cooking smashburgers in a cast iron skillet or griddle is that the fat doesn’t drip away and the burger is cooked in its own juices. The fat that drips out will help crisp the outer edges of the patty. If crispy edges is what you are going for, you can place the cast iron skillet on the grill and cook the burgers in the skillet but on the grill.

Best Ground Beef Mixture for Smash Burgers

The best ratio of meat to fat for a burger is 80/20. 80% meat and 20% fat. You can pick this mixture up at any grocery store. Unfortunately, the prepacked grass fed ground beef is so packed together, it doesn’t make the best smash burgers. You need a loose grind of ground beef to achieve this. If having grassfed beef is important to you, then buy grass fed chuck and short rib. Have the butcher grind them together or grind them on your own. We grind our own hamburger using our Kitchen Aid mixer and grinder attachment.

Best Burger Seasonings

You can’t go wrong with just plain old salt. But I like to add steak seasoning to my burgers. My favorite is by Jacobsen Co. It has garlic, coriander seed, paprika, fennel, rosemary, pepper, thyme, and parsley.

Keto Approved Burger Fixings

Whether you are enjoying a bunless burger or using a low carb hamburger bun, my favorite keto burger toppings are mayonnaise, mustard, low carb ketchup, lettuce, pickle, tomato and red onion. Occasionally, I like to top my burgers with a fried egg. If you are looking for a premade keto hamburger bun, try these ones by Smart Baking Company.

Juicy Low Carb Smash Burgers: FAQS

Can I use a different type of ground meat for these burgers?

Absolutely! While 80/20 ground beef is ideal for juiciness, you can use ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based alternatives. Just keep in mind that cooking times and flavors may vary.

What can I substitute for steak seasoning?

If you don't have steak seasoning on hand, you can create your own blend using garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper. Adjust the amounts to suit your taste!

How should I store leftover smash burgers?

To store leftovers, let the burgers cool completely, then place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage.

Can I make these burgers ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the patties ahead of time and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before cooking. Just make sure to separate them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Are smash burgers suitable for a low-carb diet?

Yes! Smash burgers are naturally low in carbs since they primarily consist of meat. Just be mindful of your toppings and buns if you're adhering to a strict low-carb lifestyle.

Nutritional information & Macros

Amount Per Serving
Calories	387
Fat	30.7g
Protein	26.7g
Total Carbs	0g
Net Carbs	0g

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