Doritos BBQ Ranch Smash Burger

Craving the ultimate burger moment that brings smoky crunch and nostalgic flavor in every bite This Doritos BBQ Ranch Smash Burger with Cheddar Flood is my go to whenever I want to surprise my family or impress friends at cookouts The melted cheddar drapes each patty and the Doritos stay irresistibly crisp making every bite an event

The spirit of this burger lives in its messy creativity I whipped it up after craving both ranch burgers and crunchy chips—now it is the one recipe friends ask for on birthdays

Ingredients

• Ground beef: good quality beef gives the juiciest most flavorful patties look for 80 20 for balance
• BBQ sauce: provides smoky sweet depth choose your favorite bottle or try homemade for extra zing
• Ranch dressing: brings cool tangy contrast to the bold BBQ
• Doritos: crushed for crunch and intense cheesy corn flavor use Nacho Cheese or your favorite flavor
• Cheddar cheese: slices or cheddar cheese sauce for iconic melt and extra richness do not skimp on quality here sharp cheddar melts beautifully
• Hamburger buns: choose sturdy classic buns to stand up to the flood and stay soft inside
• Salt and black pepper: do not skip seasoning even with the bold sauces

Instructions

Make Burger Mix:

Combine ground beef BBQ sauce ranch dressing and crushed Doritos in a large bowl Use your hands to mix until just blended so the meat stays tender Gently season with salt and black pepper being careful not to overwork

Form Patties:

Divide the mixture into equal portions If you want double burgers shape into eight thin patties for singles make four thicker ones Pat each portion into a loose ball then gently flatten to around half an inch thick

Cook Patties:

Heat a cast iron skillet or grill over medium high until hot Place patties on and firmly smash down with a burger press or flat spatula This gives crisp caramelized edges Cook undisturbed for three to four minutes on the first side until the bottom turns deeply browned Flip carefully cook roughly three minutes more for the second side If doing doubles stack patties as you finish

Cheddar Flood:

For cheddar slices neatly layer them over hot patties in the skillet then cover briefly to help melt For cheddar sauce have it hot and ready then generously pour over your stacked patties right before assembling

Toast Buns:

Wipe out excess fat from the skillet place buns cut side down and toast for one to two minutes until golden and crisp This step gives essential crunch and prevents soggy bottoms

Assemble Burger:

Start with a toasted bottom bun pile on patties and cheddar then sprinkle extra Doritos for more flavor top with the final bun Press gently to hold everything in place

Serve:

This burger is best hot fresh and extra cheesy Serve with plenty of napkins and take that first bite with both hands

Cheddar cheese is hands down my favorite layer Melting it over hot patties brings a gooey charm that ties everything together For my family these burgers drop everyone into full happy silence at the table

Storage Tips

If you have leftovers wrap patties separately and keep in the fridge up to two days Reheat in a skillet to keep them crispy but always add fresh Doritos and buns right before serving as they lose texture if stored

Ingredient Substitutions

Turkey or chicken works beautifully for a lighter version You can swap cheddar for Monterey Jack or pepper Jack Or experiment with different Doritos flavors for your signature twist

Serving Suggestions

Load up on homemade pickles fresh lettuce and sliced tomatoes or offer a small side bowl of extra cheddar sauce for dipping Fries chips and a big slaw round out the meal perfectly

Burger Story

This burger is an ode to Americana and classic backyard cookouts It celebrates the fun of combining favorite snacks with burger night A burger like this reminds me of summer evenings with kids laughing and orange cheese smiles everywhere

Seasonal Adaptations

In summer throw burgers on the grill for smoky flavor During game day layer them with jalapenos for an extra kick For fall add caramelized onions and swap ranch for blue cheese dressing

Recipe Notes

Let patties come up to room temperature before smashing Use two spatulas for clean stacking and melty drape Never skip the bun toasting step to keep everything from going soggy

Success Stories

Friends have raved about this burger at block parties and it is always the first thing gone on my football Sundays The one time I forgot to toast the buns everyone noticed so now it is a non negotiable

Freezer Meal Conversion

Shape and freeze raw patties between parchment squares Thaw in the fridge then cook as usual but wait to assemble with fresh Doritos and sauce Cheddar sauce reheats well so make a batch and store separately

Bring a stack of napkins smile and savor every gooey crunchy bite of this epic burger moment

Recipe FAQs

→ How do I keep the Doritos crunchy in the burger?

Reserve some Doritos for topping during assembly, adding them just before serving to maintain maximum crunch.

→ Can I use cheddar cheese slices instead of sauce?

Yes, both cheddar slices and sauce work well. Melt slices on the patties, or pour the sauce over the stack for a gooey texture.

→ What’s the best way to smash the patties?

Use a spatula or burger press to flatten the beef on a hot skillet or grill, then cook for 3–4 minutes per side for crispy edges.

→ Should the buns be toasted?

Yes, toasting the buns creates a golden, crunchy surface that holds up well to the juicy patties and melty cheese.

→ Is ranch dressing added to the beef or just as a topping?

Ranch is mixed directly into the beef along with BBQ sauce and Doritos for a flavorful, moist patty in every bite.