This copycat Shake Shack Burger *might* be better than the real thing. We're making a crispy smash burger, adding some gooey American cheese, topping it with fresh veggies, adding our homemade Shack Sauce, and sandwiching all of it between a toasted Martin's Potato Bun.
My favorite part about this recipe? (Other than it being insanely delicious). It requires just a handful of ingredients, and comes together in less than 10 minutes. So easy, so good.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
- Ground Beef — I prefer 80/20, or even 75/25, which is what these patties were.
- Burger Buns — Shake Shack uses Martin's Potato Buns. Lots of grocery stores carry it. Try to at least use *some kind* of potato bun if you can't find Martin's.
- Cheese — you can't beat classic American cheese for that melty goodness.
- Fresh Veggies — Shake Shack tops their burgers with green leaf lettuce and ripe plum tomato slices.
- Shack Sauce — yeah, we're making our own, homemade Shack Sauce for this recipe.
- Butter — to toast the buns.
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE
SHAKE SHACK BURGERS
@grillfrenzy Homemade Shake Shack Burgers 🍔 🤤
♬ Island In The Sun - Weezer
1. Prep the Veggies
Start by washing your lettuce and slicing your tomatoes. Shake Shack uses two tomato slices per burger.
2. Make the Shack Sauce
Make the Shack Sauce by combining mayo, ketchup, dijon mustard, pickle brine, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. You can find the full Shack Sauce recipe here.
3. Toast the Buns
Toast the potato buns by adding butter to a medium-high heat pan. Spread the butter on the inside of the buns and toast them, until they get a nice golden brown.
4. Smash the Patties
Measure out your beef into 2 ounce balls. Heat your griddle on high, and then add the beef ball onto it—then, smash the ball using a burger press or heavy-duty spatula, making sure to use parchment paper to prevent sticking. Immediately season the meat with salt and pepper. Cook the smashed patty for about 2 minutes, or until the edges are nice and crispy. Then, give it a flip, add a slice of American cheese, and cook until the cheese has melted, 1-2 minutes.
5. Assemble the Burger
Build the burger by applying some of the spread to the bottom bun. Then, add the burger patty. Next, add the tomatoes, then lettuce, and then the top burger bun—with a little more sauce. Serve & enjoy!
PRO TIPS FOR MAKING THIS RECIPE
- Get a Good Smash. The key to the crispy edges is smashing the patty flat, quickly. Use a sturdy spatula and apply even pressure.
- Chill Your Sauce: Let the Shack Sauce chill for 15-20 minutes in the fridge before eating it.
- Customize Your Toppings. This is the classic Shack Burger recipe, but feel free to add pickles, onions, jalapeños, or bacon.
Shake Shack Burger Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. ground beef 80/20 blend
- 4 potato rolls
- 4 slices American cheese
- 4 lettuce leaves
- 2 tomatoes sliced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup Shack Sauce
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Slice the tomatoes and rinse the lettuce. Set aside.
- Make the sauce and refrigerate.
- Butter and toast the burger buns until golden brown.
- Heat a griddle over high heat and smash beef balls into flat 2 oz. patties. Season and cook for 2 minutes per side. Add cheese and melt.
- Spread sauce on the bottom bun, then layer patty, tomato, lettuce. Top with the other bun half with more sauce.
Notes
- Get a Good Smash. The key to the crispy edges is smashing the patty flat, quickly. Use a sturdy spatula and apply even pressure.
- Chill Your Sauce: Let the Shack Sauce chill for 15-20 minutes in the fridge before eating it.
- Customize Your Toppings. This is the classic Shack Burger recipe, but feel free to add pickles, onions, jalapeños, or bacon.
