What Is a Smash Burger? & How It Differs from a Regular Burger

What is a Smash Burger?

A smash burger is a beef patty that’s pressed hard and flat onto a ripping hot grill the moment it hits the surface. Instead of shaping a thick patty in advance, you start with a ball of ground beef and smash it down to maximise contact with the grill. This creates the Maillard reaction across a far wider surface area, delivering that deeply browned, caramelised crust that regular burgers simply can’t replicate.

The result is a burger with crispy, lacy edges, a juicy interior, and an intensity of beefy flavour that comes from the sear rather than the seasoning. It’s a technique, not just a style, and the quality of your beef and the heat of your grill make all the difference.

At Honest, we smash our patties hard and fast using premium British beef from our own butchery.

The Cooking Technique: Smash Burgers vs Traditional Burgers

A traditional burger patty is shaped and then grilled or pan-fried, often keeping it thick and juicy. This differs from the smash burger approach, where patties are thinner, and the flavour comes from the sear rather than retaining moisture in the centre.

Flavour and Texture differences

Traditional burgers focus more on a balanced interior, offering a softer and often thicker bite. Thicker patties at Honest are also cooked medium-pink as standard, allowing for a more tender bite.

The Honest menu includes Cheese, Bacon, BBQ, Hot and ‘Tribute’ smash burgers, each homemade with beef from our butchery. You can also enjoy a cereal-fried chicken burger with BBQ mayo or a Plant burger. We’ve also got loaded rosemary salted chips topped with cheese sauce, bacon bits, crispy onions and sweet onions, as well as crispy Chicken tenders and Milkshakes.

Smash Burger vs Regular Burger: Which one is right for you?

If you’re after a juicy, thick patty with a classic texture, the traditional burger might be your go-to. But if you crave that crispy, flavour-packed exterior, a smash burger is where it’s at. Even then, if it is the beef you crave in your burger, try our double smash burger, and you can get the delicacy of the crisp Maillard crust twice over. Both the smashed burger and the classic beef patty offer a unique eating experience.

Try Honest Smashed Burgers Today

At Honest, we’ve been famous for the thick British beef patty, with accreditation to cook this safely medium pink. We also serve smashed burgers, which have taken off since we launched and have become one of the most popular burgers on our menu.

Ready to taste the difference? Visit your nearest Honest today, order online through click & collect or Uber Eats to experience the perfect burger. Whatever the burger, at Honest we’re all about quality, flavour, and that unforgettable juicy bite.