Smash Burger Salad
This Smash Burger Salad is loaded with lettuce, ground beef, pickles, tomatoes, cheese, with a special Carmalized Shallot Dressing. The recipe is by Jessica Merchant, from her Cookbook Easy Everyday.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- 4 slices sharp white Cheddar Cheese
- 10 ounces butter lettue leaves, cut into large pieces
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup chopped dill pickles
- Fresh chopped chives, just a little bit for garnish
Carmalized Shallot Dressing
Making the Caramelized Shallots
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 6 medium shallots, peeled and thinkly sliced horizontally
- Kosher salt
- ½ tsp baking soda
Caramelized Shallot Vinaigrette:
- 3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp honey
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced or pressed
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Equipment
Instructions
Make the dressing:
- In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and a pinch of salt, and baking soda, and cook for 5 minutes, until softened and browned.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for another 15 minutes. Stir often, and cook until golden in color and caramelized (not burnt).
- Whisk together the vinegar, honey, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, and then stream in the olive oil. Add in the carmelized onions and stir.
Make the burgers:
- Melt the butter in large skillet over medium heat.
- Season the meat with salt and pepper and divided into 4 pieces.
- Once the skillet is hot and the butter is melted, press each piece of ground beef into the skillet. Use the botton of a glass or back of spatula (or BURGER PRESS) to press down hard and smash it into the skillet. Cooke for 5-6 minutes, then flip and cook on the other side for 2-3 minutes. It will have golden crisp edges.
- Place a piece of cheese over each smash burger. Let it melt and then remove the 4 patties from the skillet and set aside.
Assemble the salad:
- Place the lettuce pieces in a large salad bowl and toss with a big pinch of salt and pepper. Add the tomatoes, pickles, and then tear the smash burger into pieces and scatter over the salad.
- Drizzle with the room temp carmelized onion vinaigrette, sprinkle with fresh chopped herbs (tiny tiny bit!) and serve.
Notes
NOTE: The dressing keeps for up to 5 days. Use at room temp when adding to salads.
This recipe is from Jessica Merchant's Easy Everyday Cookbook (April 2025).
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 597kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 32g, Fat: 47g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 28g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 98mg, Sodium: 553mg, Potassium: 831mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 2906IU, Vitamin C: 15mg, Calcium: 212mg, Iron: 5mg