Sizzling Lessons on the Grill: Smash Burger Sliders and Secret Sauce

This year, a sizzling lesson on the outdoor grill was smash burger sliders. To add to the excitement, each kitchen group created their secret sauce. The kicker- each kitchen was going to serve every guest judge- and in the classroom this time.

Grilling in the FACS Classroom

My district has an educational foundation and encourages grant proposals each spring. Last year on a whim, after writing to a big-name grilling company to see if they would donate grills, I decided to write a grant because that seemed more likely.

Before being approved for the grant, the district lawyer also had to approve the decision.

My classroom has a courtyard door. The courtyard is used by the Horticulture class with raised garden beds, but there was enough space to place 4 grills along the wall outside my classroom.

My students are grilling on four Pit Boss Sierra flat top grills. I have been impressed with the ease to put the grills together as well as how easy they are to clean after grilling. I needed to contact Pit Boss customer service because of an issue with a leg and I was very pleased with them.

Smash Burger Sliders

Each kitchen had one pound of ground beef and added Worcestershire Sauce, garlic powder, and pepper when forming the meatballs. Making the smash burgers wasn’t challenging, but two groups didn’t turn down the grill and the inside of their burgers were rather pink.

Since each kitchen group would be serving 8-10 guest judges, we used Hawaiian Rolls to make them slider-size. Each group made two to three guest judge burgers and cut a Hawaiian Roll in fourths. The slider was dressed as they had planned. Each group was given complete freedom to create an outstanding smash burger.

Some groups added lettuce, some sauteed mushrooms or onions, others, added various types of cheese. One group created what I dubbed, “Christmas Onions”. They used broth and brown sugar to sautee onions, something I’ve never done before. I normally use butter.

Smash Burger Secret Sauce

I think one way this food lab took it up a notch was by allowing each group to add their secret sauce. Most had a mayo base. They listed the ingredients they planned to use and I made sure we had those ingredients when it was time to cook.

When we started the lab, a few asked how much of each ingredient, but I let them decide and give it some trial and error.

Some judge favorites were a honey-based sauce, but probably better for chicken or fries. Most loved the Freddy or Cane’s style sauces. A few really liked jalapeno, cilantro, adobo sauce, and the most well-liked was mayo, sweet Thai chili sauce, paprika, garlic power, and garlic salt.

Guest Judges

Normally each kitchen has a mystery guest judge and they don’t know who they are serving until the food is plated, on a tray, and ready to walk out the door.

This time, I wanted each guest judge to try a bite from each kitchen. For this to happen, I chose guest judges on their plan time during that hour and asked for them to show up for the last 20ish minutes of the class period. When mentioning tasting food, I don’t normally have too much trouble finding judges.

This also allowed the guest judges an opportunity to see groups in action. Food lab days are tiring and chaotic, but they sure are magic to watch as well. It is pretty amazing to see the teamwork. Not every lab, every time is seamless, but this was certainly a great one.

If you are looking for a time-saving resource, you can purchase the Smash Burger Cooking Lab. This resource already has everything you need for the lab.