Sweet Corn Medley Smash Burger

Prepare to experience burger perfection with our sensational Sweet Corn Smash Burger! This culinary masterpiece takes the classic smash burger to an exciting new level. Imagine two perfectly seared, juicy beef patties, each generously crowned with irresistibly melty American cheese. But the magic doesn’t stop there. These delectable patties are then lavishly topped with our extraordinary homemade sweet corn relish – a burst of fresh, vibrant flavor – and drizzled with a secret, tangy burger sauce. This isn’t just a burger; it’s an internet sensation, crafted to deliver the ultimate flavor and texture in every single bite.

If you’re in the Twin Cities area, you can savor this legendary burger in real life at our beloved food truck, Hodgepodge, proudly stationed at Forgotten Star Brewing Co. in Fridley, Minnesota. Come by and taste the difference that passion and quality ingredients make!

Experience the Hodgepodge Difference: Your Sweet Corn Smash Burger Destination

For those who haven’t yet heard the exciting news, this past spring marked the grand opening of our food truck, Hodgepodge, at our favorite brewery in Minnesota! Hodgepodge isn’t just a name; it embodies our philosophy of bringing together a “hodgepodge” of delightful flavors and ideas. As a Midwest mobile kitchen, we’re thrilled to offer a menu that’s a true collaboration with our wonderful friends at Forgotten Star Brewing Co. You’ll find us conveniently parked right outside the brewery in Fridley, ready to serve up some of the most exciting eats in the region.

Our menu is a celebration of Midwest-inspired cuisine, designed to be “food-for-all.” This commitment shines through in the diverse array of menu items, our careful selection of unique Midwestern ingredients, and an approachable price point that ensures everyone can enjoy a fantastic meal. Among our standout offerings, this irresistible Sweet Corn Smash Burger has quickly become our far-and-away best-seller on the truck. It perfectly encapsulates the innovative spirit and delicious quality that Hodgepodge brings to every dish. If you reside in the Twin Cities, you absolutely must experience this burger in all its glorious, fresh-off-the-grill splendor. And for those further afield, fear not! You can recreate this sensational burger in your very own kitchen using the detailed recipe provided below.

Crafting the Perfect Sweet Corn Smash Burger: Key Ingredients

The magic of our Sweet Corn Smash Burger lies in the harmonious blend of its core components. Each element is carefully chosen and prepared to contribute to a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave you craving more. Let’s dive into what makes this burger so special.

Signature Burger Sauce

Our renowned, homemade burger sauce is the secret weapon that ties all the incredible flavors of this smash burger together. Requiring only a handful of common ingredients, many of which you likely already have in your fridge and pantry, this sauce is a breeze to whip up. But don’t let its simplicity fool you; our burger sauce boasts a perfectly balanced tangy and creamy profile, with hints of savory depth that make it an unparalleled pairing for robust burgers like this sweet corn smashie. It cuts through the richness of the beef and complements the sweetness of the relish, adding that essential “je ne sais quoi” that elevates every bite.

Incredible Sweet Corn Relish

If you’ve had the pleasure of visiting Hodgepodge, then you already know that this sweet corn relish is an absolute showstopper. It’s not just a topping; it’s a star in its own right! People are consistently raving about it, adding it as a vibrant side to dip their crispy potato chips, generously topping their bratwursts, and, of course, proclaiming its perfection on this very sweet corn smash burger. Made with simple, fresh ingredients, this relish is incredibly flavorful, bursting with the natural sweetness of corn, a delightful tang, and a hint of herbal freshness that brings an unexpected brightness to the entire dish. It’s the unique element that truly sets our burger apart.

Perfectly Seared Smash Patties

The foundation of our phenomenal burger is, of course, the smash patty. We meticulously prepare 1/4 lb. smash patties, ensuring that each burger features a satisfying double stack. The “smash” technique is critical here: pressing the beef thin onto a scorching hot griddle creates maximum surface contact, resulting in an exquisitely crispy, caramelized crust – the hallmark of a truly great smash burger – while keeping the interior wonderfully juicy. To achieve that quintessential melty goodness, we top each patty with a slice of classic American cheese, which, in our humble opinion, is hands down the best burger cheese for its incomparable melt and creamy texture.

The All-Important Burger Bun

A truly exceptional burger demands an equally exceptional bun. Never underestimate its power! A dry or overly bready bun can unfortunately ruin an otherwise perfect creation. That’s why we highly recommend using a premium brioche or a soft, squishy burger bun. The ideal bun should be pillowy and tender, offering a delightful textural contrast, yet robust enough to maintain its integrity when it meets the juicy patties, luscious sauce, and flavorful relish. It’s the unsung hero that holds all the delicious components together for a truly satisfying eating experience.

Try This Recipe!

Homemade Burger Sauce

These sweet corn smash burgers come slathered in our amazing homemade burger sauce. It’s the perfect, easy-to-make companion to any burger, far superior to store-bought options.

Get Sauce Recipe

Top Tips for the Perfect Sweet Corn Smashie at Home

Mastering the art of the smash burger, especially one as nuanced as our Sweet Corn Smashie, requires attention to a few key details. Follow these expert tips to ensure your homemade creation rivals the Hodgepodge original:

• Don’t Overlook the Quality of Your Beef: The foundation of any great burger is its beef. For optimal flavor and a truly juicy patty, we strongly recommend using high-quality ground beef, ideally with an 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio. This fat content is crucial for tenderness and flavor, and it renders beautifully to create that crispy exterior.
• Don’t Oil the Pan Before Smashing: This might seem counterintuitive, but for achieving those irresistibly crispy, caramelized edges that define a true smash burger, avoid adding any moisture or oil to the pan before searing. The fat from the ground beef will render out, creating its own oil as it cooks, which is exactly what you need for that perfect crust (the Maillard reaction at its best!).
• Don’t Crowd the Pan with Patties: Patience is a virtue when making smash burgers. We consistently cook only 2 patties at a time to prevent crowding the pan. Overcrowding significantly drops the pan’s temperature, leading to steamed patties rather than beautifully seared, crispy ones. Feel free to smash more at once only if your pan or griddle is large enough to accommodate them without reducing the heat.
• Extra Sweet Corn Relish = Perfect Leftovers: You’ll likely find yourself with some extra sweet corn relish – and that’s a good thing! This versatile condiment is too delicious to waste. Save it to add more to subsequent burgers, serve it as a vibrant side salad, or use it as an incredible dipper for potato chips, crackers, or even grilled chicken. Its fresh, tangy-sweet flavor makes it a fantastic accompaniment to many dishes.

Elevate Your Burger: Additional Toppings Suggestions

While our Sweet Corn Smash Burger is absolutely phenomenal served as-is, we understand the joy of customizing your culinary creation. Feel free to add any of the following delicious burger toppings to jazz it up even more and make it uniquely yours:

• Caramelized Onions: These sweet, deeply savory onions add a rich, umami depth that beautifully complements the beef and the tangy relish.
• Sautéed Mushrooms: Earthy and tender, sautéed mushrooms bring another layer of savory goodness and a delightful texture.
• Sliced White Onion: For those who love a pungent, crisp bite, thin slices of fresh white onion offer a sharp contrast.
• Pickles: Even more pickles! Extra dill pickle slices provide an additional burst of briny tang and crunch.
• Relish: A classic sweet pickle relish can offer a different flavor profile if you desire more sweetness and acidity.
• Ketchup: Sometimes, you just can’t beat the classic tomato sweetness of a good ketchup.
• Crisp Lettuce: For a refreshing crunch and added texture, a leaf of crisp iceberg or butter lettuce is always a welcome addition.
• Fried Egg: Transform your dinner burger into a breakfast-for-dinner masterpiece with a perfectly cooked fried egg, adding a rich, runny yolk that creates an extra luxurious sauce.

Storage Best Practices

To ensure your delicious Sweet Corn Smash Burger components remain fresh and flavorful for future enjoyment, proper storage is key. Store any leftover cooked smash patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. It’s crucial to always store the patties separately from the burger buns, burger sauce, and sweet corn relish. Keeping these components apart prevents the buns from becoming soggy and allows each element to retain its distinct texture and freshness. When ready to enjoy again, simply reheat the patties and assemble your burger with fresh components for an almost-as-good-as-fresh experience.

Perfect Pairings: Serving Suggestions for Your Smash Burger

Transform your Sweet Corn Smash Burger into a complete and unforgettable meal by pairing it with one of these delightful side dishes. Many of these can be easily prepared right on the grill alongside your smash burgers, making for an effortless and delicious outdoor cooking experience.

• Grilled Carrots: These offer a natural sweetness and a tender-crisp texture that provides a wonderful balance to the rich burger.
• Grilled Zucchini: Light, slightly smoky, and tender, grilled zucchini is a healthy and flavorful accompaniment that won’t overpower the main event.
• Easy Grilled Peppers and Onions: A medley of sweet peppers and savory onions, caramelized beautifully on the grill, adds a fantastic aroma and taste.
• Easy Grilled Asparagus in Foil: Asparagus cooked in foil packets on the grill is incredibly tender and infused with flavor, a simple yet elegant side.
• Baked Potatoes in Foil: A classic for a reason! Fluffy on the inside and subtly smoky, a foil-baked potato is a hearty and satisfying side.
• Balsamic Grilled Brussels Sprouts: These impart a wonderful char and a sweet-tangy flavor from the balsamic glaze, elevating a humble vegetable to a star.
• Foil Pack Red Potatoes: Simple, savory, and perfectly cooked, these potatoes are a fantastic, no-fuss side that complements any grilled meal.

5 out of 5 stars from 2 votes

Hodgepodge Sweet Corn Smash Burger

You’ll love this sweet corn smash burger! Two smash patties with American cheese are topped with an incredible sweet corn relish and a homemade burger sauce.

By:
Emily Richter

Prep:
20 mins

Cook:
5 mins

Total:
25 mins

Servings:
4

Ingredients

Sweet Corn Relish

• ½ white onion, sliced
• 1.5 teaspoons white wine vinegar
• ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 10 oz. corn kernels
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• ¼ cup chopped fresh dill

Special Sauce

• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup full-fat Greek yogurt
• ½ cup ketchup
• ¼ yellow onion, finely minced
• 4 small dill pickles, grated
• 3 teaspoons pickle juice
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar

Other Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 8 slices American cheese
• 12 pickle rounds
• 4 burger buns

Instructions

1. Prepare the corn relish. Add the white onion, vinegar, salt, and sugar to a bowl and toss to coat thoroughly. Then, add the corn kernels, mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, and chopped dill. Toss everything together until well combined. Set this vibrant relish aside to let the flavors meld.
2. Next, prepare the special sauce. In a separate bowl, combine all the ingredients for the sauce: mayonnaise, full-fat Greek yogurt, ketchup, finely minced yellow onion, grated dill pickles, pickle juice, and granulated sugar. Mix vigorously until all components are thoroughly blended and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Set aside.
   
3. Heat your cooking surface. Place a cast iron pan over high heat or heat a flat-top griddle to at least 450ºF (232ºC). Ensure the surface is piping hot before adding the beef to achieve the perfect smash.
4. Prepare the ground beef for smashing. Add the ground beef and salt to a large bowl. Gently mix these ingredients together just enough to combine, being careful not to overwork the meat. Separate the seasoned beef into 2 oz. balls; using a food scale is easiest for consistent sizing. Set these beef balls aside, ready for smashing.
5. Begin cooking the patties. Place two beef balls onto the hot pan or griddle. Immediately use a stiff metal spatula to firmly press each burger down to about ¼-inch thick, creating a wide, thin patty. Cook for precisely 30 seconds to develop a deep crust. Flip the burger swiftly. Immediately after flipping, place a slice of American cheese on top of each patty. Cook for another 30 seconds, allowing the cheese to melt perfectly. Promptly remove the cooked patties from the pan.
   
6. Continue cooking the remaining patties. Repeat step #4 until all of your ground beef has been transformed into perfectly seared, cheesy smash burger patties.
   
7. Assemble your magnificent burgers. Take a burger bun and place one cooked burger patty onto the bottom half. Top this patty with three flavorful pickle slices. Then, add the second burger patty on top of the pickles. Generously spoon 1-2 tablespoons of your homemade burger sauce onto the top patty, followed by 2-3 tablespoons of the sweet corn relish. Place the top bun to complete your masterpiece and enjoy your incredible Sweet Corn Smash Burger immediately!
   

Tips & Notes

• For optimal flavor and juiciness, always use high-quality ground beef, ideally with an 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio.
• To achieve the crispiest edges, do not add any extra moisture or oil to the pan before searing your smash burger patties.
• Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook 2 patties at a time to maintain high heat and ensure proper searing.
• Any extra sweet corn relish is delicious! Save it for additional burgers, a side salad, or as a tasty dip for chips.

Nutrition Information (per serving)

Calories: 685 kcal

Carbohydrates: 46 g

Protein: 28 g

Fat: 44 g

Fiber: 3 g

Sugar: 16 g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation only.