Breakfast Smash Burger

How to Make Breakfast Smash Burger

1. 1

   Step 1: Make the bacon jam

   Slice the bacon into 1/2-inch pieces and cook in a medium skillet over medium heat until browned and fat renders, about 6-8 minutes. Add the finely chopped onion and continue cooking until softened, then stir in the brown sugar and apple cider vinegar. Simmer gently, scraping up browned bits, until the mixture is glossy and jammy, about 4-6 minutes; remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon butter for silkiness.

   For this step

   • 6 slicesstreaky bacon
   • 1 smallyellow onion, finely chopped
   • 2 tbspbrown sugar
   • 1 tbspapple cider vinegar
   
2. 2

   Step 2: Toast the buns

   Halve the buns and spread remaining butter on cut sides. In a clean skillet set over medium heat, toast buttered cut sides until golden and crisp, about 1-2 minutes, then keep warm while you cook the patties.

   For this step

   • 4 eachpotato buns (or preferred soft buns)
   
3. 3

   Step 3: Portion and season the beef

   Divide the ground beef into four loosely packed 4-ounce balls, handling as little as possible. Heat a heavy cast-iron skillet or griddle over high heat until very hot, then season each ball generously with the kosher salt and black pepper just before cooking.

   For this step

   • 1 lbground beef (80/20)
   • 1 1/2 tspkosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
   
4. 4

   Step 4: Smash, sear and melt the cheese

   Place a beef ball on the hot skillet and immediately press down firmly with a heavy spatula or a second flat pan to flatten into a thin patty; hold for 15-20 seconds to set the edges. Cook 1.5–2 minutes until deeply browned, flip, top with a slice of cheddar, and cook another 45–60 seconds until cheese melts and centers reach desired doneness. Repeat for remaining patties.

   For this step

   • 4 slicessliced cheddar cheese
   
5. 5

   Step 5: Fry eggs and assemble the burgers

   In a small nonstick pan, fry eggs sunny-side up or over-easy to your preference using the residual butter or a touch of oil. Assemble each burger by spreading a generous tablespoon of bacon jam on the bottom bun, topping with a cheeseburger patty, the fried egg, and the top bun. Serve immediately while hot.

   For this step

   • 4 eachlarge eggs
   

1. Slice the bacon into 1/2-inch pieces and cook in a medium skillet over medium heat until browned and fat renders, about 6-8 minutes. Add the finely chopped onion and continue cooking until softened, then stir in the brown sugar and apple cider vinegar. Simmer gently, scraping up browned bits, until the mixture is glossy and jammy, about 4-6 minutes; remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon butter for silkiness.
2. Halve the buns and spread remaining butter on cut sides. In a clean skillet set over medium heat, toast buttered cut sides until golden and crisp, about 1-2 minutes, then keep warm while you cook the patties.
3. Divide the ground beef into four loosely packed 4-ounce balls, handling as little as possible. Heat a heavy cast-iron skillet or griddle over high heat until very hot, then season each ball generously with the kosher salt and black pepper just before cooking.
4. Place a beef ball on the hot skillet and immediately press down firmly with a heavy spatula or a second flat pan to flatten into a thin patty; hold for 15-20 seconds to set the edges. Cook 1.5–2 minutes until deeply browned, flip, top with a slice of cheddar, and cook another 45–60 seconds until cheese melts and centers reach desired doneness. Repeat for remaining patties.
5. In a small nonstick pan, fry eggs sunny-side up or over-easy to your preference using the residual butter or a touch of oil. Assemble each burger by spreading a generous tablespoon of bacon jam on the bottom bun, topping with a cheeseburger patty, the fried egg, and the top bun. Serve immediately while hot.