Ranch Hand Smash Burgers

Double smash burgers with crispy edges and juicy centers stacked on toasted buns with pepper jack cheese, bacon, griddled onions, jalapeño ranch sauce, and ranch crunch onions. Bold ranch flavor runs through every layer for a rich, savory burger with heat and crunch.

Yield: 4 to 5 Burgers
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Special Equipment: Griddle

Ingredients

• 2 lbs ground beef, 80/20 recommended

• Kosher salt

• Coarse black pepper

• 8 to 10 slices pepper jack cheese

• 4 to 5 hamburger buns

  Toppings:

• 1 large onion, thinly sliced

• Pickles or pickled jalapeños

• 4 to 5 slices bacon, cooked and cut in half

  Buns:

• 4 tbsp softened butter

• 1 tsp ranch seasoning

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• Pinch black pepper

  Jalapeño Ranch:

• ½ cup mayonnaise

• 2 tbsp sour cream

• 1 tsp ranch seasoning

• 1 tsp pickle juice or jalapeño brine

• ½ tsp mustard

• Black pepper

• 1 finely minced jalapeño optional

  Ranch fried onions:

• 1 cup French’s fried onions

• Cooking spray

• ½ tsp ranch seasoning

Directions

1. Mix softened butter with ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper to make the ranch butter. In another bowl whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch seasoning, pickle juice or jalapeño brine, mustard, black pepper, and minced jalapeño if using to make the jalapeño ranch sauce.

2. Spread fried onions on a sheet pan, lightly spray with cooking spray, bake at 300°F for about 5 minutes to refresh their crispness, then toss with ranch seasoning and set aside.

3. Divide ground beef into loose 3 ounce balls. Cook bacon if not already prepared.

4. Heat a griddle or Blackstone to about 450 to 500°F. Cook the sliced onions in a little oil until soft and lightly caramelized, then move them aside.

5. Place beef balls on the hot surface and smash immediately. Season with kosher salt and coarse black pepper. Cook about 2 minutes until a deep crust forms, flip, add pepper jack cheese, and cook another 45 to 60 seconds. Stack two patties together for each burger.

6. Spread ranch butter on the cut sides of the buns and toast on the griddle until golden.

7. Build each burger with the bottom bun, jalapeño ranch sauce, double smash patties with cheese, griddled onions, pickles or pickled jalapeños, bacon, ranch crunch onions, and the top bun.