If there is one category of food that belongs at every game day, it’s dip. So for this week’s Game Day Food Draft, I wanted to take something already synonymous with game day and turn it into a dip that still tasted like the original.
Enter: Smash Burger Dip.
This starts with 80/20 ground chuck smashed in a hot pan with thinly sliced onions until you get those deeply browned, crispy edges that make a smash burger so good. The beef gets folded into a creamy sharp cheddar dip, baked until hot and bubbly, then topped with more crispy beef, chopped dill pickles, sesame seeds and homemade burger sauce.
But my favorite part might be what we’re using to scoop it up. Instead of chips, sesame hamburger buns get buttered and baked until completely crisp, essentially turning them into burger bun crostini.
Every scoop has the creamy cheese, crispy beef, onion, pickles, burger sauce and toasted sesame bun. It really does eat like a smash burger turned into a game day dip.
Table of contents
Why You’ll Love This Smash Burger Dip
It actually tastes like a smash burger. Instead of simply browning ground beef and stirring it into cheese, the beef is smashed in batches so you get plenty of dark, crispy edges.
The dip is thick and scoopable. Cream cheese gives the base enough structure to hold all that beef and cheese without turning into a runny queso.
The burger bun crostini make it. Toasting actual sesame hamburger buns instead of serving this with tortilla chips makes every bite feel like a burger.
It’s made for game day. You can prep several components ahead of time, assemble the dip before your guests arrive and bake it when you’re ready to serve.
The Secret Is Actually Smashing the Beef
There’s a reason this is Smash Burger Dip and not just cheeseburger dip.
Rather than crumbling the ground beef as it cooks, divide it into a few loose portions and smash each one into a very hot skillet. Let the first side sit undisturbed long enough to develop a dark brown crust before flipping it.
Cooking the beef in batches is important here. If you overcrowd the skillet, the temperature drops and the beef releases moisture faster than it can evaporate. Instead of browning and crisping, it begins to steam.
Once cooked, roughly chop the patties into irregular pieces rather than breaking them into tiny crumbles. That keeps noticeable pieces of crispy smash burger throughout the dip.
Why Cream Cheese Works in This Smash Burger Dip
I originally considered making a cheddar cheese sauce for the base, but that takes the recipe much closer to queso.
Cream cheese gives this dip the thick, creamy consistency I wanted. Sour cream loosens it and adds some tang, while freshly shredded sharp cheddar brings the cheeseburger flavor.
The result is creamy without being runny. You should be able to scoop a generous amount onto a piece of toasted hamburger bun and have it stay there.
Don’t Skip the Sesame Bun Crostini
These might be my favorite part of the entire recipe.
Regular sesame hamburger buns are separated, cut into wedges, brushed with melted butter and slowly toasted until golden and crisp. You get the recognizable flavor of a burger bun, but with enough crunch and structure to scoop a thick baked dip.
Keeping some of the sesame-covered bun tops intact also makes the finished platter immediately look and feel like a burger.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Crowding the beef. Cook it in batches. A crowded pan traps moisture and makes it much harder to create those crispy smash burger edges.
Moving the beef too soon. Once you smash it, leave it alone. The crust needs uninterrupted contact with the hot pan to develop.
Using pre-shredded cheese. Freshly grate a block of sharp cheddar. Pre-shredded cheeses typically contain anti-caking ingredients that can affect how smoothly they melt.
Skipping the rest after baking. Give the dip about 5 minutes before serving. This lets the base settle slightly so you get thick, creamy scoops instead of something too loose.
Adding the pickles before baking. Keep them for the finish. This preserves their fresh crunch and prevents their extra moisture from getting into the dip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ground beef instead of ground chuck?
Yes. Look for 80/20 ground beef. Ground chuck happens to work particularly well because it has enough fat to develop great flavor and browning, but the 80/20 fat ratio is the important part.
Do I need a cast iron skillet?
No. A stainless steel or other heavy skillet works well. The important thing is getting the pan properly hot before adding the beef and avoiding overcrowding it.
Can I serve this with something other than hamburger buns?
Absolutely. Sturdy potato chips, toasted baguette slices, pretzel chips or crackers would all work. That said, the sesame bun crostini are what make every scoop really taste like a burger.
Is this spicy?
No. This version is savory, tangy and cheesy without heat. If you want it spicy, diced pickled jalapeños would be an easy addition.
Can I use a different cheese?
You can, but I love sharp cheddar here because it gives the dip a recognizable cheeseburger flavor. If you substitute, choose another cheese that melts well and has enough flavor to stand up to the beef.
How to Store Smash Burger Dip
Store leftover Smash Burger Dip covered in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Reheat individual portions in the microwave, or cover the baking dish with foil and warm it in a 325°F oven until heated through.
Store leftover sesame bun crostini separately in an airtight container at room temperature so they stay crisp.
Make Ahead
You can prepare almost every component ahead of time.
Make the burger sauce and refrigerate it in an airtight container. Cook and chop the smash burger beef and onions, reserving the crispiest pieces separately. Prepare the creamy dip base and assemble it in the baking dish, then cover and refrigerate.
When you’re ready to serve, bake until hot and bubbly. If you’re baking the dip directly from the refrigerator, expect it to need a few additional minutes in the oven.
For the best texture, wait until after baking to add the chopped pickles, burger sauce and sesame seeds.
The sesame bun crostini can also be made earlier in the day and stored at room temperature once completely cool.
More recipes to try…
Smash Burger Dip with Sesame Bun Crostini
Equipment
- 9-inch pie dish or similar baking dish
- Large heavy skillet
- Cheese grater
Ingredients
Smash Burger Beef
- 1 pound 80/20 ground chuck or 80/20 ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion very thinly sliced
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Creamy Cheddar Dip
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup full-fat sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Kosher salt to taste if needed
Burger Sauce
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped dill pickles
- 2 teaspoons dill pickle juice
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
For Finishing
- 1/3 cup finely diced dill pickles well drained
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- Reserved crispy smash burger beef and onions
- Prepared burger sauce
Sesame Bun Crostini
- 6 sesame-seed hamburger buns
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- Kosher salt to taste
Instructions
Make the Sesame Bun Crostini
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Separate the tops and bottoms of each hamburger bun and cut each half into 3 wedges.
- Arrange the bun pieces in a single layer on a sheet pan. Lightly brush both sides with melted butter and season with kosher salt.
- Bake on the middle rack for 13 minutes. Flip each piece and continue baking for approximately 10 minutes, or until deeply golden and crisp.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool. They will continue to crisp slightly as they cool. Keep the oven at 375°F.
Make the Burger Sauce
- In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, chopped dill pickles, 1 teaspoon pickle juice, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper.
- Stir until smooth. Add the remaining teaspoon of pickle juice if needed for additional acidity or a thinner drizzling consistency. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Make the Smash Burger Beef
- Heat a large heavy skillet over medium-high to high heat until very hot.
- Loosely divide the ground chuck into 4 portions. Do not tightly form them into patties.
- Working in batches, place one portion of beef into the hot skillet and immediately smash it into a very thin layer using a sturdy spatula. Scatter some of the sliced onion over and around the beef. Season lightly with the kosher salt and pepper.
- Leave the beef undisturbed until the underside develops a deep brown crust. Flip and cook the second side until the beef is cooked through and the onions are browned and softened.
- Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining beef and onions, making sure not to overcrowd the skillet.
- Let the cooked beef rest briefly, then roughly chop it into small, irregular pieces. Toss with 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.
- Reserve approximately 1/4 of the crispiest beef and onion pieces for topping the dip.
Make the Dip
- Lightly grease a 9-inch pie dish.
- In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, 1 cup of the shredded sharp cheddar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper.
- Mix until smooth and evenly combined. Taste and add kosher salt only if needed.
- Fold the remaining 3/4 of the chopped smash burger beef and onions into the creamy cheese mixture.
- Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared pie dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup sharp cheddar over the top.
- Bake at 375°F for 12 minutes.
- Scatter the reserved crispy beef and onions over the top. Return to the oven for another 5–8 minutes, until the dip is hot throughout, the cheddar is melted and the edges are bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and let the dip rest for 5 minutes.
Finish and Serve
- Top the warm dip with the finely diced dill pickles.
- Drizzle with burger sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Serve immediately with the sesame bun crostini and additional burger sauce on the side.
Notes
Nutrition
Key Takeaways
- Smash Burger Dip combines crispy smashed beef with creamy cheddar dip for a game day favorite.
- Use toasted sesame hamburger buns as crostini for a unique dipping experience instead of chips.
- The dip’s structure comes from cream cheese, ensuring it’s thick and scoopable while packed with flavor.
- Key tips include cooking beef in batches to achieve crispiness and adding pickles only after baking.
- You can prepare most components ahead of time, making it easy to serve fresh and hot on game day.
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