Food Myth Debunked: Why You Need to "Smash" Your Burger for Maximum Flavor

Many home cooks were taught never to press down on a burger as it cooks since that would ruin your all-beef patty by getting it to release the juices it needs to stay tender and moist. Turns out that is total hooey—a complete myth. In fact, wildly successful burger chains Shake Shack and Smashburger have predicated their success on the principle that you need to press, or smash, your hamburger patty onto the cooking surface to get the most flavor. Smashburger's signature menu item.. Why Does This Work So Well? The Maillard reaction is behind it all, as it is behind most yummy things. When... more

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