MooYah-Inspired Smash Burger with Secret Sauce

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-14 · Updated 2026-06-14

A juicy smash burger perfected with a crispy seared crust and topped with a tangy house-made secret sauce and melty American cheese. This american-inspired beef ready in about 20 minutes blends ground beef (80/20), kosher salt, black pepper into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 600 calories and feeds 4, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 4 slices yellow American cheese slices
• 4 burger buns
• 2 tbsp butter
• 8 slices dill pickle slices
• 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 4 leaves iceberg lettuce leaves
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp ketchup, 1 tbsp yellow mustard, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 tsp paprika, and 1/4 tsp garlic powder until smooth; set aside as secret sauce.
2. Step 2: Divide 1 lb ground beef into 4 equal 4 oz balls without overworking. Season each ball with 1 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly.
3. Step 3: Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Add 2 tbsp butter and let melt, then place one beef ball in the skillet and immediately smash it flat with a spatula to about 1/4-inch thickness; cook for 2-3 minutes until the edges are dark brown and crispy.
4. Step 4: Flip the patty, place a slice of yellow American cheese on top, and cook another 1-2 minutes until cheese melts and the patty is cooked through. Repeat with remaining patties.
5. Step 5: Toast 4 burger buns in the skillet for 1 minute until golden. Assemble burgers by spreading secret sauce on both bun halves, layering the crispy cheese smash patty, 2 dill pickle slices, thinly sliced red onion, and 1 iceberg lettuce leaf. Serve immediately.