Simply WanderFull
There’s just something about a perfect smashed burger—that crispy, caramelized crust, melty cheese, and juicy center—that makes it impossible to resist. In our house, smashed burgers are serious business, and my hubby Brad has truly mastered them.
But what really takes Brad’s smashed burgers over the top is his next-level raspberry bacon jam. Sweet, smoky, a little tangy, and packed with crispy bacon, this jam adds a bold flavour that balances perfectly with the rich burger and toasted bun. It’s one of those toppings that makes you stop mid-bite and say, “Okay…this is incredible.”
If you’re looking to upgrade your burger game, these crispy smashed burgers topped with raspberry bacon jam might just become your new favourite way to do burger night. We also need a good side dish like a roasted sweet potato and a simple salad. Let’s get cooking.
We have been studying how to make the perfect smashed burger and we came across a really great Youtube video by George Motz and how he makes the best burger in New York and let me tell you this is a great and easy way to make a burger! Watch it here!
Brad's Tips for Making a Great Burger
Here are some tips that we think takes our burger to the next level!
- We like to use 80/20 Chuck or in other words medium ground beef. It gives the right amount of fat you need for a juicy burger. I usually get 4 smashed burgers out of 1-lb. of meat.
- Get yourself some Lawry’s Seasoning Salt. This is a trade secret and we use this in place of salt.
- We love our cast iron griddle insert for our bbq. You can make 6 burgers at one time!
- You will also need a burger press! This will help smash your burger to the perfect thickness!
- Get yourself some Martin’s Potato Rolls! Potato buns hold the burger perfectly and they taste great!
- You need this Rasberry Bacon Jam for maximum flavour!
- You will also need a good sauce for the burger. Use my Best Sauce Ever Recipe, its simple to make and tastes great! The recipe is shown below.
- We also love to use good old fashioned processed Kraft cheese singles. They give you the perfect melty creamy cheese that tastes just so good.
- As for toppings we like to add a thin dill pickle, shredded lettuce and sliced avocado. What are your favourite toppings?
🗽 George Motz–Inspired New York Smashed Burger
This recipe channels the classic New York griddle burger style that George Motz celebrates—thin, crispy-edged patties, simple toppings, and big flavour from technique rather than complexity.
🧾 Ingredients (Makes 4 burgers)
For the patties:
1 lb. ground beef (80/20 chuck is key)
Lawry’s Seasoned Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
For assembly:
2 soft hamburger buns (potato buns preferred)
2–4 slices American cheese
Raspberry Bacon Jam (recipe to follow)
The Ultimate Burger Sauce (recipe above)
Butter (for toasting buns)
🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Form the meat (loosely!)
- Divide beef into 2–4 loose balls (2–2.5 oz each).
- Do NOT pack tightly—this helps create those lacy, crispy edges.
2. Heat the griddle
- Get your skillet or griddle very hot (medium-high to high).
- You want an aggressive sear—this is the heart of the smash burger.
3. Smash and season
- Place a meat ball on the hot surface.
- Immediately smash it flat (about ¼ inch thick).
- Season generously with salt and pepper.
👉 Optional (very New York diner style):
Add a small handful of thin onions on top of the patty while it cooks.
4. Let it crust (don’t touch!)
- Cook for about 1–2 minutes until edges are deeply browned and crispy.
- Flip once—scrape hard to get all the crust.
5. Cheese it
- Add American cheese right after flipping.
- Cook another 30–60 seconds until melted.
6. Toast the buns
- Butter buns lightly and toast on the griddle until golden.
Raspberry Bacon Jam:
Ingredients:
• 1 lb bacon, diced
• 1 white onion, diced
• double shot of espresso or 1/4 cup black coffee
• 2-3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 brown sugar
• 1 cup fresh raspberries
• salt and pepper
Instructions:
1. Start by making the jam! Heat a heavy bottom skillet over medium high heat, then add the diced bacon. cook for 10-15 mins until crispy with a slight chew. Drain and remove from the pan.
2. Remove the grease from the pan, but leave the drippings and bits of bacon in there. Then add the diced white onion and saute for 3 mins. Then add the Coffee, brown sugar, and raspberries and stir to combine. Once the berries start to break down, add the salt and pepper, then put the bacon back in the pan.
3. Simmer on medium low for 45-50 mins, or until the Bacon Jam has thickened up.
Raspberry Bacon Jam Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Heat a heavy bottom skillet over medium high heat, then add the diced bacon. cook for 10-15 mins until crispy with a slight chew. Drain and remove from the pan.
- Remove the grease from the pan, but leave the drippings and bits of bacon in there. Then add the diced white onion and saute for 3 mins. Then add the Coffee, brown sugar, and raspberries and stir to combine. Once the berries start to break down, add the salt and pepper, then put the bacon back in the pan.
- Simmer on medium low for 45-50 mins, or until the Bacon Jam has thickened up.
George Motz–Inspired New York Smashed Burger
Ingredients
Method
- * Divide beef into 2–4 loose balls (2–2.5 oz each).
- * Do NOT pack tightly—this helps create those lacy, crispy edges.
- * Get your skillet or griddle very hot (medium-high to high).
- * You want an aggressive sear—this is the heart of the smash burger.
- * Place a meat ball on the hot surface.
- * Immediately smash it flat (about ¼ inch thick).
- * Season generously with salt and pepper.
- * Cook for about 1–2 minutes until edges are deeply browned and crispy.
- * Flip once—scrape hard to get all the crust.
- * Add American cheese right after flipping.
- * Cook another 30–60 seconds until melted.
- * Butter buns lightly and toast on the griddle until golden.
JoJo's Ultimate Burger Sauce
Ingredients
Method
- In a small bowl, add ⅓ cup mayonnaise and ⅓ cup BBQ sauce.
- Pour in 1½ tablespoons maple syrup.
- Add 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon chili powder, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
- Sprinkle in a dash of cayenne (optional for heat), plus a dash of salt and pepper.
- Stir everything together until smooth and well combined.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
One Bite Says It All!
Toast the bun, smash and sear that burger to crispy perfection, then layer on the rich raspberry bacon jam, a swipe of my special burger sauce, a fresh pickle, and creamy avocado. Stack it all together and take a bite of pure happiness—sweet, savory, tangy, and indulgent all at once. This New York–inspired creation is bold, a little unexpected, and seriously satisfying. Would love to hear from you—did Burger Brad nail the perfect combination of flavors, or would you tweak it your own way?