Mini Smash Burger Rolls

# What You Need:

→ Beef Patties

01 - 1.1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)

02 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt

03 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Special Sauce

04 - 4 tablespoons mayonnaise

05 - 1 tablespoon ketchup

06 - 1 tablespoon yellow mustard

07 - 1 tablespoon finely diced pickles

08 - 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar

09 - 1/2 teaspoon sugar

10 - 1/4 teaspoon paprika

→ Assembly

11 - 12 mini slider buns

12 - 12 dill pickle slices

13 - 1/2 small white onion, finely diced

14 - 6 slices cheddar cheese, halved (optional)

15 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

# Directions:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, diced pickles, vinegar, sugar, and paprika until well combined. Refrigerate until ready to assemble.

02 - Divide ground beef into 12 equal portions of approximately 1.4 ounces each. Season each portion evenly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

03 - Brush the cut sides of slider buns with melted butter. Toast in a dry skillet over medium heat or under a broiler until golden brown on both sides. Set aside on a clean surface.

04 - Heat a cast-iron skillet or griddle over high heat until very hot and smoking slightly. Place beef portions on the skillet, spacing them 2 inches apart. Using a spatula or burger press, press down firmly to create thin, even patties approximately 2-3 inches in diameter.

05 - Cook patties for 1-2 minutes until crispy, caramelized edges form. Flip carefully using a thin spatula. If using cheese, place half a slice on each patty immediately after flipping. Cook for 1 additional minute until cheese melts completely and beef reaches desired doneness.

06 - Spread a thin layer of special sauce on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Place a cooked beef patty on the sauce, top with diced onions and one dill pickle slice. Cover with the top bun. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

07 - Serve mini smash burgers immediately while patties remain hot and crispy. If needed, keep assembled burgers warm in a 200°F oven for up to 15 minutes before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -

They come together in about 35 minutes from start to finish, perfect for when you want homemade burger magic without the fuss.
The smashing technique creates those irresistible crispy edges and caramelized corners that regular burgers just can't match.
A crowd-sized batch means you're actually relaxing with your guests instead of flipping patties one at a time.

02 -

The beef must be pressed thin immediately upon hitting the hot skillet—waiting even 30 seconds means you lose that crucial moment for crust formation and end up with a regular burger instead of a smash burger.
Overworking the meat before cooking makes the patties dense and tough, so keep those beef balls loose and handle them as little as possible.

03 -