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Oh man did these Thousand Island BBQ smash burgers ever hit the spot. Juicy patties. Crisp fresh toppings. All with a wonderful creamy sauce that makes you think of you-know-who’s Special Sauce but with a definite twist. Chili sauce adds a bit of heat and a tad bit of sweetness. Worcestershire makes you think steak sauce. And of course, there’s the BBQ sauce. I used a nice smoky hickory BBQ sauce because I wanted to make sure I got that wonderful BBQ flavor in my burgers. And I did. These burgers are proof that even the simplest sauce can make a ‘plain’ burger something special.

Making Thousand Island BBQ smash burgers isn’t difficult. You don’t need a bunch of fancy equipment or a lot of time. Just a hot griddle and a burger press. Any griddle will do, whether it’s on a grill, cooktop, stove or even a standalone outdoor flattop. Just get those patties nice and thin and use quality fresh toppings. And a great sauce.

Cuisinart CGPR-221 Cast Iron Grill Press (Wood Handle), Weighs 2.1-pounds

Also try my Cowboy Big Mac Smash burgers and my Swamp sauce Smash burgers. And you’ll love my go-to burger sauce.

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5 from 1 vote

Thousand Island BBQ Smash Burgers

Get those patties nice and thin and use quality fresh toppings.

Course Main

Cuisine American

Keyword smash burgers

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Servings

Calories 633kcal

Ingredients

For the sauce

¼ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon chili sauce such as Heinz
4 teaspoons your favorite BBQ sauce use a hickory smoke-flavored sauce
1 teaspoon sweet pickle relish
¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

For the burgers

1 pound ground beef formed into four 4-ounce patties
kosher salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
4 hamburger buns
4 slices cheddar cheese or American cheese
4 pieces iceberg lettuce torn or chopped
4 slices tomato
4 slices onion
6 slices dill pickle

Instructions

For the sauce

Combine all ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to use.

For the burgers

Fire up your grill for direct medium-high heat cooking. You can also use an outdoor or indoor griddle or a large skillet on a stove.
Season the burger patties with salt and pepper on both sides. Don’t be shy with the seasoning.
Place the patties on grill. Smash down with a spatula or grill press.
Grill the burgers for 2-3 minutes per side.
Top the patties with cheese and grill until they’ve reached your desired doneness and the cheese is melted. Remove from the grill.
Toast the buns as desired.
Make the burgers by first spreading some of the sauce on the bun bottoms.
Add a burger patty.
Add onion, lettuce, tomato and pickle slices.
Slather the top bun with more of the sauce and serve.