When it comes to a cookout, smash burgers and grilled veggies make the perfect pair. We partnered with Lodge Cast Iron to create some recipes that put a decadent twist on this quintessential campfire dish. Hint: It’s all about the garlic butter. Enjoy and keep napkins nearby.
Craving more time around a campfire? Enter to win a two-night Getaway stay + Lodge’s Kickoff Grill, a portable cast iron grill that brings the fun to any gathering.
Smash Burgers With Garlic Butter Buns
Sink your teeth into this recipe for gourmet burgers. Why are they called smash burgers? Because you flatten the meat patty with a hot, cast iron burger press on the grill. It’s a lot of fun and guarantees a delightful sear on each side. When it comes to assembly, we recommend a generous hand with the garlic butter.
Ingredients
Burgers
- 2 pounds ground beef, 80/20
- 4 brioche hamburger buns
- salt
- garlic powder
- 8 cheese slices
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 1 white onion, sliced
- bib lettuce
- 16 hamburger dill pickle chips
Garlic Butter
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon chives
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- Mix garlic butter ingredients together. Set aside.
- Separate the ground beef into 4-ounce loose meatballs, careful not to overpack.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat for 10 minutes with the lid closed. Place the 20 x 10.5 Inch Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle inside the grill and preheat with the lid closed, 8-10 minutes.
- Quickly oil the griddle and place 4 meatballs on the hot cast iron. Be sure to leave smashing room around each burger. Place a piece of parchment paper on the meatball and smash the burger until the Burger Press touches the griddle. Repeat with the three remaining meatballs. Discard parchment paper. Season well with salt and garlic powder.
- Cook for 3 minutes. The edges should brown nicely. Flip the burgers and top with cheese. Cook for 1-2 additional minutes, or to desired doneness. Remove from heat.
- Repeat steps above with 4 additional burgers.
- Once all the burgers are done, scrape the griddle with a spatula to remove any excess cheese.
- Slather the inside of each bun with garlic butter and place on the hot griddle. Heat until golden brown, 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the smash burger stack: Bun, first burger, second burger, lettuce, onion, tomato, pickle, desired condiments. Enjoy burgers! (Keep napkins nearby.)
Marinated Grilled Veggies
With a drizzle of olive oil, a bit of garlic and herb, and the tang of lemon, these marinated vegetables are the perfect grilled side to any meal. The grill basket infuses your food with delicious charred flavor.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 red onion
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 1 zucchini
- 1 head broccoli, cut into florets
Marinade
- ⅓ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- garnish with sliced lemon
Instructions:
- Combine marinade ingredients in a resealable plastic bag.
- Cut veggies into 1-inch pieces. Trim florets into similarly sized pieces.
- Add veggies to marinade and shake well. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the grill over medium-high heat for 10 minutes with the lid closed. Add the grill basket to the grill and close to heat the basket for 5 minutes.
- After preheating, add the marinated veggies to the hot grill basket. Cook undisturbed for 5 minutes. Stir the veggies and continue to cook until they have charred evenly or have reached your desired level of doneness.
- Remove from heat and squeeze lemon over the veggies. Sprinkle with salt and serve.
Ready to cook over a campfire? Book your Getaway today.