The Smash Burger Trend is Serving Up Crispy Deliciousness in 2025

Burgers have long been a classic American food staple, but restaurants and home cooks are serving up something new these days thanks to the rise of the smash burger trend. What might have begun as a simple cooking technique has exploded into a large-scale cultural food movement that’s reshaping how consumers think about, prepare and consumer burgers in 2025.

What is a smash burger?

As the name would suggest, a smash burger is a kind of hamburger that is made by smashing a ball of ground beef onto a screaming hot grill or griddle. Unlike other burger preparations that rely on pre-formed patties, the smash burger technique delivers a final product that is thin, crispy and perfectly caramelized. Cooking burgers this way preserves the fat and flavor of a burger but adds an extra textural element for a full package that pairs perfectly with a variety of toppings, sauces and sides. 

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When did smash burgers become popular?

The illustrious hamburger first got its start in Hamburg, Germany but has been a U.S. staple for the better part of a century. While burgers have historically come in a variety of shapes and sizes, the smash burger craze officially kicked off in the late 2010s and really rocketed to widespread popularity throughout the early 2020s. Thanks to fast-casual restaurants, home cooking trends and viral social media content, smash burgers quickly became the next big thing in the comfort food space, with Tastewise reporting a 47% YoY growth in social media discussions about this tasty twist.

What are the biggest smash burger trends in 2025?

One of the most attractive things about the smash burger trend is its versatility. Smash burgers are accessible, delicious and totally customizable, making them the perfect vehicle for capitalizing on a variety of other food trends. Some smash burger trends that have carved out a place in the U.S. food landscape this year include: 

Global gourmet

Across the food and beverage space, global flavors are making major waves. Smash burgers provide an ideal backdrop for a variety of simple global flavor combinations, with chefs layering tasty toppings like kimchi, harissa, confit garlic and curry aioli on top of crispy, crusty smash burgers. 

Plant-based popularity

Plant-based burger alternatives have been steadily growing in popularity as more consumers embrace meat-free lifestyles. Veggie and other plant-based burger brands are jumping on the smash burger trend by developing thin and smashable meat alternatives that can carry the weight of other veggie burger trends. 

Cheese-crust creations

As artisanal and gourmet cheese offerings continue to make big waves in the food and beverage space, many chefs are offering smash burgers with cheese-encrusted buns for an elevated and delicious twist on current food trends. 

Double deliciousness 

Due to their thin and crispy composition, many kitchens are offering customers the option to double or even triple the number of patties on their smash burger for a culinary experience that is tailored to their appetite. 

Health-conscious hamburgers

Gone are the days of debating turkey burger vs. beef burger options – smash burgers can be made from a variety of healthier meats and meat alternatives for a more enjoyable, health-conscious burger experience. Some companies are also capitalizing on keto hamburger bun trends and offering reduced-fat options for customers looking to indulge guilt-free. 

Smash burger stats and facts: What the data says 

More and more, data suggests that the smash burger trend is more than just a passing fad. Here’s some of the consumer data informing the global smash burger market:

• Smash burgers account for roughly 70% of burger-related Instagram posts 
• The average American eats roughly 3 burgers each week 
• The number of smash burgers appearing on restaurant menus increased by 21.9% between the third quarters of 2023 and 2024
• The U.S. plant-based meat market was valued at roughly $3.2 billion in 2024 
• Almost 40% of U.S. restaurants have some kind of burger on their menus 

All of these data points highlight the fact that smash burgers are making major impressions in an already successful space. Brands looking to branch out and add some new flavor to their burger offerings would be well advised to take advantage of the latest smash burger trends in order to take their offerings to the next level. 

Potential challenges in the smash burger craze 

Despite their popularity, smash burgers may still face some hurdles in today’s competitive food and beverage market. Some of the most noteworthy challenges are operational and supply-chain oriented, as smash burgers must be prepared in specific ways and using specific meat products. Fast food and fast casual restaurants that rely on frozen burger patties may have trouble making the smash burger switch, as this crispy alternative is made by smashing a fresh ball of ground meat into a perfect patty. 

Additionally, as consumers continue to emphasize health and wellness in their purchasing decisions, traditional smash burgers may not easily fit into evolving lifestyles. Brands can counteract assumptions about smash burgers’ junk-food nature by offering keto buns, plant-based patties and reduced fat topping options. 

The future of smash burgers 

The smash burger trend shows no signs of slowing in 2025. Moving forward, we can expect to see ongoing development of global fusion flavors, expanded meat-free alternatives, a growing selection of make-at-home CPG options and luxury versions of this fast-casual fun food. The possibilities are endless for restaurants and home chefs looking to add smash burgers into their rotations. From gourmet ingredients to health-focused swaps, the sky is the limit for this new take on an old classic. 

Final thoughts

The recent smash burger trend just goes to show that today’s consumers are clamoring for products that balance tradition with innovation. While the smashburger concept is simple, the finished product is exciting, delicious and totally customizable. For restaurants and brands, keeping pace with this trend means not being afraid to take risks and finding new and exciting ways to help consumers engage with their long-time favorite foods.