Best cheese and sauce for a smash burger

By DesiSmash by Chef Hass · Nov 2026 · 3 min read

The Oklahoma Onion smash burger with double cheese

For a classic smash burger, American cheese is the best choice because it melts smoothly over a thin patty. For more flavour, try pepper jack, sharp cheddar or Swiss, and pair it with a tangy sauce that cuts through the richness.

On a thin patty, cheese and sauce do a lot of the work. They bring melt, acidity and creaminess to balance the crisp, savoury crust. Here is how a chef thinks about choosing them.

The best cheeses for a smash burger

American cheese

The classic. American cheese contains emulsifying salts, which is why it melts into a smooth, glossy blanket instead of splitting into grease. It flows into the lacy edges of the patty and holds a stacked burger together. If you only try one, make it this. It is the cheese on The OG Smash and the double-cheese Oklahoma Onion.

Pepper jack

A semi-soft cheese flecked with chilli. It melts well and adds a gentle warmth without needing extra sauce. We use it on the Naga Firecracker and the Paneer Tikka Melt.

Aged or sharp cheddar

Brings a stronger, tangy flavour, and it works well with smoky or sweet sauces. Aged cheddar can turn a little oily or crumbly if it is melted too fast, so give it a moment on the hot patty under a lid. It features on the Smoked BBQ Pitmaster and the Tamarind & Bombay Street.

Swiss

Nutty and mellow, and it melts nicely. It pairs well with earthy toppings such as garlic and thyme mushrooms, which is how we serve it on the Truffle & Wild Mushroom.

How much cheese?

One slice per thin patty is the standard. For double-patty burgers, a slice on each patty means every layer is glued together. Put the cheese on the moment you flip the patty so it melts in the heat of the griddle.

What makes a good smash burger sauce

A thin crisp patty is rich and salty, so the best sauces add three things: acidity (pickles, mustard, a squeeze of lime or tamarind), creaminess (mayo, aioli) and sometimes heat or sweetness. Go too wet and the sauce will drown the crust. A spoonful on the bottom bun and a drizzle on the top is enough.

Sauces on our menu

OG house sauce: tangy, creamy and classic. Great with American cheese, pickles and onion.
Mustard mayo: sharp and savoury, ideal with smashed onions.
Naga chilli mayo: fiery and creamy. Use with care.
Roasted garlic aioli: smooth and punchy, a good match for chilli and mushrooms.
Mint-coriander chutney mayo: fresh and herby, the perfect cooler for spiced patties.
Smoky BBQ glaze: sweet and smoky, brilliant with sharp cheddar and crispy onion.

All are made in-house on Thursday, ready for the weekend. Our mayo-based sauces contain egg, so tell us about any allergies when you order.

Pickles and onions

Pickles and onion are not just garnish. Their sharpness resets your palate between bites. Diced white onion gives a fresh crunch, while onions smashed into the patty, as on the Oklahoma Onion, turn sweet and caramelised against the griddle.

A simple combination to start with

American cheese, OG sauce, pickles and diced onion on a butter-toasted brioche bun. It is the build behind The OG Smash and the benchmark for everything else. When you are ready to explore, try the spiced builds in our Desi burger guide, or make your own with the home method.

Want to taste them for yourself? Order from the DesiSmash menu for collection or delivery in Leicester and Glenfield.