This Pickle Burger is so juice thanks to adding pickles to the meat mixture and topped with a pickle coleslaw for the dilliest bite! You’ll definitely want to try this twist on the classic smash burger. It’s a sandwich that everyone will be asking for the secret technique for, there’s definitely no better way to make a cheeseburger!
I might be known for my viral pickle recipes and these Pickle Smash Burgers happen to be one of them! I find that pickles are such great mix-ins for so many recipes and these smash burgers and coleslaw do not disappoint. I shred the pickles to add them to the hamburger mixture to keep every bite super moist and juicy.
Plus the pickles in the slaw on top is the perfect crunchy and refreshing burger topper that may just change how you make a cheeseburger from now on! My family loves these burgers and since they come together in less than 45 minutes, I can make them easily on a weeknight or weekend. Serve them with Summer Corn Salad or my Bean Salad for the ultimate warm weather meal.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- 10 ingredient burger recipe. These pickle burgers use minimal ingredients and majority of them are probably already in your kitchen!
- If you’re a pickle lover, these burgers are bursting with briny and dill notes that make the beef patty even tastier.
- Cook them on the grill or on the stovetop. Since these are smash burgers, you can easily cook them all year long on a griddle on top of the grill or stove.
Ingredients
- Shredded pickles: You’ll want to buy the whole dill pickles in the jar, then grate them on the large holes of your cheese grater.
- Ground beef: Buy a lean ground beef here since the pickles will add more moisture to the meat mixture.
- Worcestershire sauce: Gives umami and briny notes, just a little goes a long way.
- Onion powder garlic powder, salt & pepper: Season the ground beef always.
- Mustard: I love adding a little bit to the hamburger mixture to add more acid which will accentuate the flavors of the burger.
- Slices of cheese: Choose your favorite cheese here.
Burger toppings:
- Bag of coleslaw mix: Base of the pickle coleslaw.
- Mayo: Creaminess that every coleslaw recipe needs.
- Dill pickle juice: Adds acid and briny flavor to balance the creamy mayonnaise.
- Sugar: A little pinch rounds out the saltiness of the pickle juice.
- Seasoned sunflower seeds: These are optional, but add so much nutty flavor and crunch.
How to Make Pickle Burgers
- First get your pickles shredded. Once shredded, make sure you squeeze out the juice and put the shredded pickles to the side. Let’s first begin with the burgers.
2. To a bowl, add you ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, onion and garlic powder, salt and pepper, mustard and 1/2 cup of the shredded pickles. Mix this well and roll into large balls for your burgers. Place in the fridge.
3. To another bowl, add your coleslaw mix and the remaining shredded pickles. In another small bowl, add your mayo, dill pickle juice, sugar and salt & pepper. Mix well and place in the fridge to marinate. Let’s get the grill fired up!
4. We have a grill insert for our grill to make smash burgers, but you can patty your burgers for regular burgers too! Once your grill is hot, place your burgers on and smash each burger if you’re making smash burgers. Flip and cook to your liking, then add your cheese.
5. Plate your burgers and dress as you like on your buns, get the coleslaw out and serve it up with the burgers!
Expert Tips
- After shredding your pickles, be sure to wring them out of excess liquid. I put them into a clean kitchen towel and gently squeeze to dry them out. This will help keep tour burger patties from falling apart.
- Make sure you have a cast iron griddle or skillet for the grill or stove. This is the best pan to make smash burgers on for that delicious crust and even cooking.
- Assemble the pickle slaw in advance. You can keep it in the fridge until you are ready to serve to let the flavors meld together.
- Don’t over-mix the hamburger mixture. This will make it tough and gummy, just gently mix and form until combined and shape into patties.
Storage
Store any leftover burger patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave, oven, or skillet until warmed through.
You can easily mix the meat before a cookout and shape into balls to keep covered in the fridge before cooking to serve.
FAQs
Make sure to mold the meat mixture into a ball before smashing on the griddle. When smashing, try and keep the patty still 1/4-inch thick for easy flipping.
Only if you cook it for too long, but thanks to the smash technique, they are melt-in-your-mouth tender almost every time.
We love to add other spices. Sometimes we even add egg or breadcrumbs depending on the flavors to bind the meat.
More Easy Barbecue Recipes
Pickle Smash Burger
Ingredients
Method
- First get your pickles shredded. Once shredded, make sure you squeeze out the juice and put the shredded pickles to the side. Let’s first begin with the burgers.
- To a bowl, add you ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, onion and garlic powder, salt and pepper, mustard and 1/2 cup of the shredded pickles. Mix this well and roll into large balls for your burgers. Place in the fridge.
- To another bowl, add your coleslaw mix and the remaining shredded pickles. In another small bowl, add your mayo, dill pickle juice, sugar and salt & pepper. Mix well and place in the fridge to marinate. Let’s get the grill fired up!
- We have a grill insert for our grill to make smash burgers, but you can patty your burgers for regular burgers too! Once your grill is hot, place your burgers on and smash each burger if you’re making smash burgers. Flip and cook to your liking, then add your cheese.
- Plate your burgers and dress as you like on your buns, get the coleslaw out and serve it up with the burgers!
- Trust me when I say that these will be a hit at your next gathering!Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- After shredding your pickles, be sure to wring them out of excess liquid. I put them into a clean kitchen towel and gently squeeze to dry them out. This will help keep tour burger patties from falling apart.
- Make sure you have a cast iron griddle or skillet for the grill or stove. This is the best pan to make smash burgers on for that delicious crust and even cooking.
- Assemble the pickle slaw in advance. You can keep it in the fridge until you are ready to serve to let the flavors meld together.
- Don’t over-mix the hamburger mixture. This will make it tough and gummy, just gently mix and form until combined and shape into patties.