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Cozy Smash Burger Bowls Recipe with Special Sauce Easy Dollar Menu Copycat

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A quick and easy smash burger bowl recipe inspired by the dollar menu, featuring juicy patties with crispy edges, a tangy special sauce, and a comforting base of rice or mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef, 80/20 blend
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp garlic powder (optional)
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil or canola oil
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tbsp sweet pickle relish
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 2 cups cooked white rice or mashed potatoes
  • 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce or baby spinach
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • Pickle slices or chopped pickles
  • Cheddar cheese slices or shredded sharp cheddar
  • Tomato slices or cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Special Sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Stir well until smooth and refrigerate.
  2. Cook the Base: Prepare rice or mashed potatoes according to package instructions and keep warm.
  3. Season the Beef: Gently mix ground beef with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder without overworking.
  4. Heat the Skillet: Heat cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add vegetable oil until hot.
  5. Form and Smash Patties: Divide beef into 4 portions, roll into balls, place in skillet and press firmly to create thin patties. Cook 2-3 minutes until crispy edges form.
  6. Flip and Add Cheese: Flip patties, add cheese slices, and cook 1-2 minutes until cheese melts and patties are cooked through.
  7. Assemble the Bowls: Layer cooked rice or mashed potatoes, shredded lettuce or spinach, one smash burger patty, sliced red onions, pickles, tomato slices, and a dollop of special sauce in each bowl.
  8. Serve Immediately: Enjoy warm with optional sides like fries or cucumber salad.

Notes

Use 80/20 ground beef for juicy patties. Preheat skillet well for crispy crust. Don’t overwork meat or press patties multiple times. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding. Let cheese melt under a lid for best results. Special sauce can be made ahead and stored up to a week. For gluten-free, ensure ketchup and relish are gluten-free. Plant-based mayo can be used for dairy-free.

Nutrition

Keywords: smash burger, burger bowls, special sauce, quick dinner, comfort food, easy recipe, dollar menu copycat

Find it online: https://dahliadishes.com/cozy-smash-burger-bowls-recipe-with-special-sauce-easy-dollar-menu-copycat/