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Disclaimer: Always verify that every ingredient you use meets your personal halal standards as formulations can change.
Two of the biggest food trends on TikTok right now collided in my kitchen and I am not okay.
Smash burgers. Shawarma. Together. On one bun. With toum.
I know it sounds like something a food content creator made up for views and honestly maybe they did but it does not matter because this sandwich is extraordinary and I have made it three times in the last two weeks which tells you everything you need to know about how it turned out.
The concept is simple. You take a halal ground beef patty, smash it thin in a cast iron with shawarma spices in the crust, melt cheese over it, and serve it in a toasted bun with toum, pickles, and a drizzle of pomegranate molasses. The shawarma spices on the crispy seared edge of the smash burger create a flavor that is somewhere between a street food kebab and a proper smash burger and it is genuinely one of the best things I have eaten this year.
This one is for the TikTok food lovers who are tired of choosing between their two favorite things.
Why this recipe works
The smash burger technique forces maximum contact between the beef and the hot cast iron which creates the Maillard reaction — the deep browning that gives you those crispy, lacy edges that smash burger content is famous for. When you press shawarma spices into the patty right before smashing, those spices toast directly against the iron and bloom in a way they never would if you just mixed them into the beef. The result is a crust that tastes like shawarma and a burger that looks like the best smash burger you have ever made.
What you need (serves 4)
For the smash burger patties:
- 1.5 lbs halal ground beef, 80/20
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- 1/2 tsp coriander
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 4 slices American or provolone cheese
Toum sauce mix:
- 1/2 cup store-bought toum or homemade
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt to taste
Burger build setup:
- 4 brioche burger buns, toasted
- Sliced dill pickles
- Thinly sliced red onion soaked in cold water for 10 minutes
- Shredded iceberg lettuce
- Drizzle of pomegranate molasses
- Sriracha or hot sauce optional
Affiliate picks for this recipe:
- Lodge Cast Iron Skillet (Amazon) — non-negotiable for smash burgers, nothing else gets hot enough
- Halal Ground Beef (Amazon) — always use halal certified ground beef
- Toum Garlic Sauce (Amazon) — store-bought toum is completely fine here
- Pomegranate Molasses (Amazon) — the finishing drizzle that makes this different from every other smash burger
- Brioche Burger Buns (Amazon) — brioche is the right call here, soft and slightly sweet against the savory patty
How to make it
Step 1 — Mix your spice blend
Combine cumin, smoked paprika, allspice, coriander, garlic powder, cinnamon, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside. You will press this into the patties right before smashing rather than mixing it into the beef which keeps the meat loose and gives you better texture.
Step 2 — Prep your toppings
Soak your sliced red onion in cold water for 10 minutes. This removes the harsh raw bite and leaves you with onion that is pleasantly mild and slightly sweet. Drain and pat dry. Toast your buns in a dry pan until golden. Set everything out and ready because smash burgers move fast once you start cooking.
Step 3 — Heat your cast iron
This is the most important step. Heat your cast iron on high for at least 3 full minutes before anything touches it. You want it screaming hot. Drop a tiny piece of beef in and it should sear immediately on contact. If it sizzles gently the pan is not hot enough. Keep going.
Step 4 — Smash the burgers
Divide your beef into 4 equal loose balls. Do not pack them tight. Place one ball in the center of the hot cast iron and immediately press it flat with a heavy spatula, a burger press, or even the bottom of a heavy pot. Press hard and hold for 10 seconds. Sprinkle a generous pinch of your shawarma spice blend directly onto the top of the smashed patty. Cook for 90 seconds without touching it. The edges should be deeply browned and lacy. Flip once, immediately add cheese, and cook for another 30 seconds. Remove and repeat.
Step 5 — Build the burger
Spread a generous layer of toum on both sides of the toasted bun. Add shredded lettuce on the bottom. Place the cheesy smash patty on top. Add pickles and soaked red onion. Drizzle pomegranate molasses over the patty before closing the bun. Add hot sauce if you want heat.
Eat immediately. Smash burgers wait for no one.
The pomegranate molasses moment
I know it sounds unexpected on a burger. But the sweet, slightly tart, concentrated pomegranate flavor against the savory spiced beef and the creamy garlic sauce is the thing that makes this sandwich taste like something you would pay $18 for at a restaurant that knows what it is doing. Do not skip it. Do not substitute honey. Get the pomegranate molasses and use it.
Tips for perfect smash burgers
80/20 beef is not optional. Lean beef does not have enough fat to create the crispy lacy edges that make smash burgers what they are. Do not use anything leaner than 80/20.
Do not season the beef itself before smashing. Seasoning draws out moisture which makes the beef steam instead of sear. Season the top of the patty after smashing or mix spices into the exterior crust only.
The cast iron must be genuinely hot. Medium heat is not enough. High heat for 3 full minutes minimum before the beef touches the pan.
One flip only. Flip it once, add cheese, done. Flipping multiple times prevents the crust from forming properly.
Variations
Make it a double smash by using two smaller patties per burger instead of one. Two thin patties with cheese melted between them is the classic smash burger technique and it is excellent with this shawarma version.
Swap the beef for halal ground lamb for a richer, more Middle Eastern flavor profile. Lamb and shawarma spices are a natural combination and the smash technique works just as well with ground lamb.
Make a shawarma smash burger bowl by skipping the bun entirely and serving the smashed patties over garlic rice with toum drizzle, pickles, and pomegranate molasses. Lower carb and genuinely excellent.
Meal Prep Notes
Mix your shawarma spice blend in a larger batch and store it in a jar. It keeps for months and you will find yourself putting it on everything from roasted vegetables to grilled chicken. Having it ready means this burger goes from fridge to table in about 15 minutes on a weeknight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is toum and where do I find it?
Toum is a Lebanese garlic sauce made from garlic, lemon juice, oil, and salt blended until light and fluffy. It is the white sauce on shawarma. Middle Eastern grocery stores carry it refrigerated. Whole Foods sometimes stocks it. Amazon has several good brands. Once you have it you will put it on everything.
Can I use a regular pan instead of cast iron?
You can but cast iron is significantly better for smash burgers because it retains heat more consistently under the pressure of smashing. A stainless steel pan on high heat is the next best option. Non-stick pans are not suitable for smash burgers because they cannot handle the heat required.
What is the best halal ground beef for smash burgers?
80/20 ground beef from a halal butcher or halal certified brand. Midamar ships nationwide if you cannot find halal ground beef locally.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Smash burgers are best eaten immediately. The crispy edges soften quickly as the burger sits. You can prep all your toppings and spice blend ahead of time so the actual cooking takes only minutes when you are ready to eat.
Is pomegranate molasses halal?
Yes. Pomegranate molasses is made from concentrated pomegranate juice and is naturally halal. Always check the specific brand label to confirm no alcohol is used in production though most commercial brands are alcohol free.
That is everything you need to make this at home. If you try it and love it, amazing. If you tweak it and make it better, tell me how because I genuinely want to know. And when you are not cooking at home and just need to find somewhere halal to eat, we have got you covered too.
Find a verified halal restaurant near you →
— Halal Food Santi 🌙
