Description
Hearty Smash Burger Fries combine crispy golden fries topped with juicy smashed ground beef patties and a rich, creamy cheddar cheese sauce, garnished with pickles and jalapeños for a flavorful, indulgent twist on classic comfort food. This recipe is perfect for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a fun main dish.
Ingredients
Fries and Burger
- 1 (26 oz) package frozen crispy fries
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- Pickles, whole or diced, for garnish
- Thin jalapeño slices, for garnish
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 2 1/2 cups grated white cheddar cheese
Sauce
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp dill relish
- 2 tbsp freshly shredded onion
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- Cook the Fries: Bake the frozen crispy fries according to the package instructions, usually at 425°F for 20-25 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Make Cheese Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until it forms a roux and starts to bubble but not brown. Gradually whisk in the milk and continue whisking until the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the grated white cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Keep warm.
- Prepare the Burgers: Divide the ground beef into small portions, about 4 equal patties. Season each patty with kosher salt and pepper. In a skillet over medium-high heat, place the patties and smash them down with a spatula. Cook for 2-3 minutes until browned and crispy on the bottom, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until done.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, dill relish, freshly shredded onion, honey, apple cider vinegar, and smoked paprika. Mix well until smooth and set aside.
- Assemble the Dish: Arrange the crispy fries on a serving plate or large platter. Layer the smashed burger patties over the fries. Drizzle generously with the warm cheddar cheese sauce, followed by spoonfuls of the prepared mayo-ketchup sauce. Garnish with pickles and thin jalapeño slices for an added kick.
Notes
- For extra crispy fries, bake them on a single layer baking sheet without overcrowding.
- You can substitute white cheddar with yellow cheddar or a blend of cheeses for different flavors.
- Adjust jalapeño slices amount based on your preferred spice level or omit for a milder dish.
- Use fresh ground beef with about 15-20% fat content for juicy patties.
