Smashburger Fries: An Epic Snack Attack

Imagine crispy, golden fries loaded with melty cheese sauce, tiny, flavorful smashburger pieces, tangy pickles, and a kick of jalapeño. That’s Smashburger Fries, a snack sensation that’s perfect for game day, weekend indulgence, or just because you deserve something truly delicious. I remember the first time I made Smashburger Fries. It was a lazy Sunday afternoon, and I was craving something truly decadent. I had some leftover ground beef and fries in the freezer, and inspiration struck. The result was a culinary masterpiece that had my family begging for more. This recipe is perfect for beginner cooks. It’s fun, easy to assemble, and requires minimal cooking skills. The ingredients are readily available, and you can customize the toppings to your liking. Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover ground beef and frozen fries, making it a budget-friendly and satisfying snack.

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Ingredients and Preparation: The Building Blocks of Flavor

This recipe uses a combination of simple, readily available ingredients that, when combined, create a symphony of crispy, savory, and tangy flavors. Here’s a detailed list with added tips and tricks to ensure success:

• Frozen Crispy French Fries: 1 (26 ounce) bag. Frozen fries provide a convenient and crispy base for the Smashburger Fries. Look for fries that are labeled “extra crispy” or “oven fries” for the best results.
• Ground Beef: ½ pound. Ground beef is the star of the show, providing the savory smashburger flavor. Use ground beef with an 80/20 or 85/15 lean-to-fat ratio for optimal flavor and texture.
• Kosher Salt and Pepper: To taste. Salt enhances the flavors of all the ingredients, while pepper adds a subtle spice. Use kosher salt for more even seasoning. Freshly ground black pepper is always preferred for its superior flavor.  
• All-Purpose Flour: 2 tablespoons. Flour is used to create a roux, which thickens the cheese sauce.  
• Butter: 2 tablespoons, divided. Butter adds richness and flavor to both the smashburgers and the cheese sauce.  
• Milk: 1 cup. Milk provides the liquid base for the cheese sauce. Use whole milk for the creamiest and richest sauce.
• Freshly Grated White Cheddar: 2 ½ cups. White cheddar cheese adds a sharp and tangy flavor to the cheese sauce. Freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
• Pickles: Whole or diced, for serving. Pickles add a tangy and crunchy contrast to the rich fries.
• Thinly Sliced Jalapeños: For serving. Jalapeños add a spicy kick to the fries. Adjust the amount of jalapeños to your liking.
• Mayonnaise: 1 cup. Mayonnaise is the base for the Thousand Island dressing. Use a good quality mayonnaise for the best flavor.  
• Ketchup: 2 tablespoons. Ketchup adds a sweet and tangy flavor to the Thousand Island dressing.  
• Dill Relish: 2 tablespoons. Dill relish adds a tangy and slightly sweet flavor to the Thousand Island dressing.
• Freshly Grated Onion: 2 tablespoons. Grated onion adds a pungent and aromatic flavor to the Thousand Island dressing.
• Honey: 1 teaspoon. Honey adds a touch of sweetness to the Thousand Island dressing.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: 1 teaspoon. Apple cider vinegar adds a tangy and slightly acidic flavor to the Thousand Island dressing.
• Smoked Paprika: ½ teaspoon. Smoked paprika adds a smoky and slightly sweet flavor to the Thousand Island dressing.  

Alternative Ingredient Suggestions:

• Fries: You can use sweet potato fries, waffle fries, or any other type of frozen fries.
• Ground Beef: You can use ground turkey, ground chicken, or plant-based ground meat alternatives.
• Cheese: You can use other types of cheese, such as cheddar jack, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack cheese.
• Pickles: You can use pickled onions, pickled jalapeños, or any other type of pickled vegetable.
• Jalapeños: You can use pickled jalapeños, serrano peppers, or any other type of pepper.
• Thousand Island Dressing: You can use ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, or any other type of dipping sauce.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Creating Your Smashburger Fries Masterpiece

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Preheating the oven ensures that the fries cook evenly and crisp up properly.
2. Bake the Fries: Spread the fries out on a baking sheet in a single layer. Baking the fries in a single layer prevents them from steaming and ensures they crisp up properly. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping once during cook time. Flipping the fries halfway through ensures even cooking. If your fries call for cooking longer, make sure to follow the instructions. I like the 450 degrees for extra crispiness though.
3. Season the Ground Beef: Season the ground beef all over with salt and pepper. Seasoning the ground beef before cooking adds flavor and ensures it’s seasoned throughout.
4. Cook the Smashburgers: While the fries cook, heat the butter in a skillet (cast iron is best for this) until melted. Cast iron skillets retain heat well and create a crispy crust on the smashburgers. Once it’s sizzling, break the ground beef into 6 even portions. Breaking the ground beef into even portions ensures that the smashburgers cook evenly. Press each one down into the butter in the skillet, using the back or a glass or jar to smash them into the skillet. Smashing the ground beef creates a thin and crispy patty. Cook until browned, then flip over and cook another 1 to 2 minutes until browned. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the ground beef is cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. Turn off the heat.  
5. Make the Cheese Sauce: Heat the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour to create a roux – cook it for 2 to 3 minutes until it’s golden, fragrant and nutty. Cooking the roux until golden and fragrant adds flavor to the cheese sauce. Slowly stream in the milk while whisking the entire time. Whisking constantly prevents lumps from forming. Whisk and stir until the milk thickens, about 5 minutes. Stirring constantly prevents the milk from scorching. Turn the heat to low and stir in the cheese 1 handful at a time, stirring until melted. Adding the cheese one handful at a time ensures that it melts smoothly. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.
6. Make the Thousand Island Dressing: Whisk everything together until combined and creamy. You can make this ahead of time and store it in the fridge!
7. Assemble the Fries: Do a drizzle of cheese sauce on the fries, then top with the smashburger pieces – you can break them apart further if needed. And another drizzle of cheese all over the fries and burgers. Stick the sheet pan back in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes, until everything is warmed together and hot. Warming the fries and toppings together ensures that the cheese sauce melts and the smashburger pieces are heated through.
8. Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and drizzle with the Thousand Island dressing, top with pickles and jalapeños and anything else you love!

Beginner Tips and Notes: Mastering the Art of Smashburger Fries

• Troubleshooting: Fries are soggy: If your fries are soggy, make sure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature. You can also try baking the fries for a few minutes longer.
• Troubleshooting: Cheese sauce is lumpy: If your cheese sauce is lumpy, you may have added the milk too quickly or you may not have whisked constantly. You can try straining the cheese sauce through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the lumps.
• Efficient Prep: You can make the Thousand Island dressing ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. You can also cook the smashburgers ahead of time and reheat them before assembling the fries.  
• Skillet Size: Use a large skillet to cook the smashburgers. This will prevent overcrowding the skillet and ensure that the smashburgers cook evenly.
• Cheese Sauce Consistency: If the cheese sauce is too thick, add a little more milk. If the cheese sauce is too thin, simmer it for a few more minutes.
• Garnish: Get creative with your garnishes! You can use chopped onions, tomatoes, or any other type of vegetable.
• Serving Temperature: Serve the fries immediately for the best texture.

Serving Suggestions: Completing Your Smashburger Fries Feast

These Smashburger Fries are a delicious and satisfying snack on their own, but they can be even better when served with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas:

• Onion Rings: Onion rings are a classic pairing with Smashburger Fries.
• Coleslaw: Coleslaw adds a refreshing and crunchy contrast to the rich fries.
• Pickle Spears: Pickle spears are a tangy and crunchy side dish that complements the Smashburger Fries.

Storage Tips for Leftovers (Even More Detailed):

Store leftover Smashburger Fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes until heated through. The fries may not be as crispy as they were when freshly made, but they will still be delicious.

Conclusion: Share Your Culinary Creations!

These Smashburger Fries are a fun and delicious way to enjoy a classic snack with a twist. I highly encourage you to try this recipe out and let me know how it turns out in the comments below! I genuinely love hearing about your cooking adventures and any modifications you make to the recipe. Did you try a different type of fry or cheese? Did you create your own unique Thousand Island dressing? Share your tips, tricks, and photos with other readers! Your feedback is invaluable and helps others who are trying the recipe for the first time. Let us know what garnishes you enjoyed most with the fries. Did you add chopped onions, tomatoes, or something else? Share your photos and tag me on social media so I can see your Smashburger Fries masterpieces! Use #SmashburgerFries and #EasySnackRecipes so I can find your creations. I also love seeing your variations on Instagram stories – tag me so I can see what you’re cooking up in your kitchen! Happy cooking, and I can’t wait to hear from you!