Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
There’s one thing my husband and I can always agree on… a really good burger.
Over the years, he’s come up with some pretty incredible burger combinations, and every once in a while one of them turns into a recipe that we both know has to be shared. This Texas Toast Double Smash Burger is one of those recipes.
Instead of using a regular hamburger bun, we decided to stack two thin, crispy smash burgers between thick slices of buttery Texas toast. Then we loaded it up with melty American cheese, crispy bacon, crunchy French fried onions, fresh tomato, crisp lettuce, and plenty of creamy garlic aioli.
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The first bite was everything we hoped it would be. The buttery toast held up perfectly, the crispy edges on the burgers added incredible texture, and every layer worked together without one ingredient overpowering another.
If you’re looking for a burger that’s a little over the top—but still easy enough to make on a weeknight—this one is absolutely ridiculicious.
Table of contents
Why You’ll Love This Texas Toast Double Smash Burger
There are plenty of burger recipes out there, but this one stands out for so many reasons.
- Thick buttery Texas toast replaces the traditional bun.
- Two crispy smash patties give you the perfect beef-to-bread ratio.
- Garlic aioli adds rich flavor without overpowering the burger.
- Crispy bacon and French fried onions create the perfect crunch.
- American cheese melts beautifully over each burger.
- It’s easy enough for weeknight dinners but impressive enough for cookouts.
- Every bite is packed with flavor from top to bottom.
Tools I Use
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👉 See my full list of favorite kitchen tools here.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you’ll need to make four hearty burgers.
For the Burgers
- 1½ pounds 80/20 ground beef, divided into eight 3-ounce balls
- 8 slices American cheese
- 8 slices Texas toast
- 8 slices cooked bacon
- 2 medium tomatoes, sliced
- 4 leaves iceberg or green leaf lettuce
- 1 cup crispy French fried onions
- 4 tablespoons softened butter
Garlic Aioli
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 3 cloves garlic, finely grated
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
If you’ve already made a batch of homemade garlic aioli like I did, you’re one step ahead!
Burger Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
How to Make Texas Toast Double Smash Burger
Step 1
Mix together the mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth. Cover and refrigerate while you prepare everything else so the flavors have time to blend.
Step 2
Cook the bacon until crispy, then transfer it to paper towels to drain.
Step 3
Spread softened butter on both sides of each slice of Texas toast. Toast them on a hot griddle or large skillet until they’re golden brown and lightly crisp. Set aside.
Step 4
Preheat your Blackstone, flat-top griddle, or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
Divide the ground beef into eight equal 3-ounce balls. Don’t pack them tightly—keeping them loose helps create those crispy edges everyone loves.
Step 5
Place the beef balls onto the hot cooking surface, leaving plenty of space between each one.
Using a burger press or heavy spatula with a piece of parchment paper, smash each ball as thin as possible.
Immediately season with the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
Cook for about 2 minutes, or until the edges become deep brown and crispy.
Step 6
Using a sturdy metal spatula, scrape underneath each burger to release all those flavorful crispy bits.
Flip the burgers and immediately place one slice of American cheese on each patty.
Cook for another minute, just until the cheese melts.
Step 7
Now comes the fun part.
Spread a generous layer of garlic aioli onto one slice of toasted Texas toast.
Add:
- Two cheesy smash patties
- Fresh tomato slices ( i put the tomato between the burger patties – it helps keep the toppings from sliding off)
- Crispy bacon
- Crispy French fried onions
- Leaf lettuce
Spread another layer of garlic aioli onto the top slice of Texas toast before placing it on the burger.
Serve immediately while everything is hot and the cheese is perfectly melted.
Nettie’s Best Tips
After making this burger, here are a few things I’d recommend.
- Use 80/20 ground beef for the best crispy edges and juicy burgers.
- Resist the urge to move the burgers around after smashing them. Let that crust develop before flipping.
- Toasting the Texas toast makes a huge difference. It keeps the bread from getting soggy while adding buttery flavor.
- Freshly shredded lettuce stays crisp longer than bagged shredded lettuce.
- Spread the garlic aioli on both slices of toast for the best flavor in every bite.
- Finally, don’t skimp on the crispy French fried onions. They add the perfect crunch and really make this burger stand out.
What to Serve with a Texas Toast Double Smash Burger
This burger is hearty enough to be the star of the meal, but it pairs perfectly with a few classic sides.
Some of our favorites include:
- Crispy French fries
- Onion rings
- Potato wedges
- Macaroni salad
- Gram’s Sweet-Tangy Potato Salad
- Bacon Pea Salad
- Creamy coleslaw
- Dill pickle spears
If you’re feeding a crowd, add a pitcher of fresh lemonade or sweet tea, and you’ve got the perfect backyard meal.
Storing & Reheating
These burgers are definitely at their best fresh off the griddle. However, if you have leftovers, store the burger patties separately from the toast and toppings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, warm the patties in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. Toast fresh slices of Texas toast, then rebuild the burgers with fresh lettuce, tomato, crispy onions, and garlic aioli for the best texture.
Easy Variations
One of my favorite things about this Texas Toast Double Smash Burger is how easy it is to make it your own. While I absolutely love this combination, there are plenty of delicious ways to switch it up.
Add Pickles
If you love a little tang, add a few dill pickle slices. They cut through the richness of the beef, bacon, and garlic aioli beautifully.
Try Pepper Jack Cheese
Want a little heat? Swap the American cheese for Pepper Jack or even smoked cheddar.
Make It a Patty Melt
Replace the lettuce and tomato with sautéed onions and Swiss cheese for a fun patty melt twist.
Add Mushrooms
Sautéed mushrooms make a great addition if you’re looking for a steakhouse-style burger.
Turn Up the Heat
Add sliced jalapeños or your favorite hot sauce for a spicy kick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the burger patties ahead of time?
Yes! Divide the beef into 3-ounce balls up to a day in advance. Keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to smash and cook them.
Why use Texas toast instead of hamburger buns?
Texas toast is thicker and sturdier than a traditional bun. It holds up well to juicy smash burgers and all the toppings while adding buttery flavor and a satisfying crunch.
Can I cook these indoors?
Absolutely! A cast-iron skillet works wonderfully and creates a beautiful crust if you don’t have a flat-top griddle.
What’s the best beef for smash burgers?
An 80/20 ground beef blend is my favorite because the extra fat helps create those crispy edges while keeping the burgers juicy.
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Texas Toast Double Smash Burger
Ingredients
Burgers
- 1½ pounds Ground Beef 80/20
- 8 slices American cheese
- 8 slices Texas toast
- 4 tablespoons butter softened
- 8 slices Bacon cooked
- 2 medium tomatoes sliced
- 4 lettuce leaves
- 1 cup crispy French fried onions
Garlic Aioli
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 3 cloves garlic finely grated
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Burger Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika optional
Instructions
- Stir together the garlic aioli ingredients until smooth. Refrigerate while preparing the burgers.
- Cook the bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels.
- Butter both sides of the Texas toast and toast until golden brown. Set aside.
- Preheat a griddle or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Divide the beef into eight 3-ounce balls.
- Place the beef on the hot griddle and smash each ball thin using parchment paper and a burger press.
- Season immediately with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
- Cook for about 2 minutes until a deep crust forms.
- Scrape underneath the patties, flip, and top each with a slice of American cheese.
- Cook another minute until the cheese melts.
- Spread garlic aioli on one slice of toasted Texas toast.
- Stack two cheeseburger patties on the toast.
- Top with tomato slices, crispy bacon, French fried onions, and lettuce.
- Spread garlic aioli on the remaining slice of toast and place it on top.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Notes
- Use freshly ground 80/20 beef for the juiciest burgers.
- Smash only once for the crispiest crust.
- Toasting the bread helps prevent sogginess.
- Assemble just before serving for the best texture.