Publised on 15/08/2024. Last Updated on 22/10/2024 by Richard
Delicious vegan smash burgers with burger sauce and melted vegan cheese. Transform your Impossible or Beyond patties into In-N-Out copy-cats!
Ah, vegan smash burgers – the holy grail of plant-based indulgence! Imagine biting into a burger that’s got a perfectly crispy edge, a delicious juicy centre, and a flavour that could make even the most hardcore meat-eater think twice. These burgers are the answer to all those times you’ve watched your friends chow down on In-N-Out burgers and thought, “Can I veganise that!”. I'm telling you, YOU CAN!
Cut to me sitting with my non-vegan mate at a fast-food joint, them munching on their double cheeseburger while I plot my vegan smash burger revolution.
So, why all the fuss about vegan smash burgers? Well, it’s the way they’re cooked – smashed down in a hot cast iron skillet or heavy frying pan, creating those crispy, golden brown edges while keeping the inside juicy and flavour-packed. Pair that with vegan burger sauce, melted cheese, crisp iceberg lettuce, and tangy dill pickles, and you’ve got yourself a vegan masterpiece. Trust me, once you’ve tried these, you’ll never be envious of the In-N-Out burger queue again!
Jump to:
What is a Smash Burger?
Alright, let’s get down to basics. What even IS a smash burger? Chances are you've heard everyone talking about them for ages, so let's clear it up! A smash burger is all about the technique. Instead of forming a thick patty and hoping for the best, you start with a ball of plant-based meat and literally smash it down onto a hot pan with a metal spatula. This creates a thin patty with maximised surface area, meaning more crispy bits and more flavour. The result? A burger that’s got the perfect balance of crispy and juicy in every bite. It’s fast, it’s easy, and it’s the key to making your vegan burgers next-level awesome.
I love smash burgers particularly because they're so easy! No specialist kitchen gear required, no food processor or blenders! Just a bowl and a nice heavy skillet or frying pan. If you're looking for a slightly more exotic burger, why not try my banh mi burger hybrid!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before we dive into the kitchen, let’s gather our ingredients. For these vegan smash burgers, you’ll need:
- Store-bought vegan burgers (like Beyond Meat)
- White miso paste
- Vegan cheese slices (aka American cheese! I'd never usually buy this stuff, except for topping a nice smashed patty!)
- Vegan burger buns
- Vegetable oil, olive oil or vegan butter
- Salt and pepper
- Iceberg lettuce
- Tomato
- Red onion
- Pickles
- Vegan burger sauce
As usual, the full recipe is listed at the bottom of the page in the recipe card. If you’re in a rush, just scroll down and get cooking!
Ingredient Substitutions
Now, we all know that sometimes you’ve got to work with what’s in the kitchen. Here are a few handy substitutions:
- Vegan Patties: If you can’t get your hands on Beyond Meat, try any good quality plant-based meat. This, Impossible, or Tesco Plant Chef are all great alternatives.
- White Miso Paste: You can skip this if you’re out, but it adds a lovely umami kick. Soy sauce or tamari can be a decent substitute, but be careful, because it burns quickly.
- Vegan Cheese: Any melty vegan cheese will work here. Go for your favourite brand.
- Vegan Burger Sauce: Homemade is best, so follow this easy sauce recipe! You won't regret it!
How to Make This Recipe
Here’s the rundown on making these epic vegan smash burgers:
1. Prep Your Patties: Slice the patties in half, roll into balls, and smash them down onto baking parchment. It helps to do this with slightly damp hands so the patties don't stick to you!
2. Cook the Patties: Heat your skillet with a bit of oil, then smash the patties into the hot pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
3. Add the Cheese: Brush with miso paste, top with cheese, add a splash of water, and cover to melt (my favourite tip for actually melty vegan cheese, which usually likes to go dry instead).
4. Assemble: Sauce the buns, layer up your toppings, stack the patties, and finish with more sauce and the top bun.
The Best Vegan Burger Patties
This recipe works with any vegan patty that holds its shape. This means a homemade black bean burger or veggie burger can also work too! However, I’m a big fan of patties that really taste like the real deal, so here are my top picks:
- This: A British brand with an incredible range of vegan meat alternatives.
- Impossible: Not available in the UK, but my go-to when I’m in the States. They brown and crisp like no other.
- Beyond Meat: A classic choice, super prolific and reliable for any vegan burger recipe.
- Tesco Plant Chef: Super cheap, supermarket own-brand with great flavour and texture.
Let me know on socials what your favourite vegan patty brands are!
Vegan Smash Burgers FAQs
Pop them in a hot cast iron skillet for a few minutes to crisp up the edges again. You can also reheat in the oven if you’re doing a big batch. Just remember to use fresh toppings (lettuce and tomatoes) and don't let them dry out.
Yes, I have a great recipe for home-made vegan burger patties.
Frozen fries, hash browns, or some crispy tofu nuggets are perfect. Oh and don't forget a side of vegan mayo!
So there you have it – your guide to making the best vegan smash burgers. The fantasy of real life vegan In-N-Out burgers finally comes true! Give it a go, and I guarantee you’ll be hooked. Don’t forget to snap a pic of your burger creation and tag @schoolnightvegan on social media. I love seeing what you’re all whipping up!
If you enjoyed this recipe, check out some of my other favourite vegan fake-aways, like this delicious curry, some spicy homemade tacos or even your own pizza from scratch! Happy cooking, and see you next time!
Vegan Smash Burgers
Equipment
- Baking parchment
- small bowl
- Large skillet or frying pan
- pastry brush
Ingredients
- 400 g store-bought vegan burgers e.g. Beyond Burgers, 4 patties total, usually around 100g per patty
- 1 tablespoon white miso paste
- 8 slices of vegan cheese
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or vegan butter
- 120 ml vegan burger sauce
- 4 vegan burger buns sliced and toasted
- ½ iceberg lettuce shredded
- 1 large tomato thinly sliced
- 1 red onion thinly sliced
- 8-12 pickle slices
Instructions
To Prepare the Patties
- Remove the vegan burger patties from their packaging.400 g store-bought vegan burgers
- With wet hands, slice each patty in half, roll into a ball and flatten using a spatula or plate onto a square of baking parchment.
- You should now have a total of 8 thin patties.
- In a small bowl, mix the white miso paste with a tablespoon of boiling water to create a smooth paste.1 tablespoon white miso paste
- Preheat a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add a tablespoon of vegetable oil or vegan butter to the skillet.1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Once the skillet is very hot, add the patties (you may have to cook them in two batches).
- Using a spatula, press down each patty to flatten it further, creating a "smash" effect. This helps create a crispy exterior.
- Cook the patties for about 3-4 minutes on each side until they are nicely browned and crispy.
- During the last minute of cooking, brush a thin layer of the miso paste on the top of each patty and then add a slice of vegan cheese.8 slices of vegan cheese
- Add a tablespoon of water to the skillet to create steam then immediately cover with a lid to help melt the cheese.
To Assemble the Burgers
- Spread a generous amount of vegan burger sauce on the bottom half of each bun. Add shredded lettuce, a slice of tomato, a few slices of red onion, and a pickle slice.120 ml vegan burger sauce, 4 vegan burger buns, ½ iceberg lettuce, 1 red onion, 8-12 pickle slices, 1 large tomato
- Stack two patties on top of each other then place on top of the sauced bun.
- Finish with a dollop of vegan burger sauce on the top half of the bun and place it on top of the assembled burger.
- Serve the burgers immediately with your favourite sides like fries, salad or tofu nuggets.
Ron
I SMASHED these in about 2 seconds. Worked perfectly with impossible burgers.