Cameron Diaz’s Favorite Burger Is the Perfect Mashup of 2 Summer Classics

When the sun is shining and the weather is warm, we can’t help but crave a juicy burger straight from the grill. Yes, a burger is great all year round, but give us one at a summer barbecue by a pool and the serotonin boost is immediate.

We know we’re not the only ones who feel that way. Everyone from home cooks to chefs and celebrities has a favorite burger recipe or method for when the craving strikes. 

Food Network’s Alton Brown deep fries his burger patties for a crunchy crust. Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey uses one of our favorite tricks of adding onion soup mix to the patty. And Super Bowl winner Travis Kelce can’t say no to an old-fashioned Burger King Whopper when he’s at the drive-thru.

Now, thanks to a recent appearance at the BottleRock festival, we’ve discovered how one of Charlie’s Angels enjoys her burger: as a mash-up of two summer favorites. In partnership with her wine brand Avaline and Williams Sonoma, Cameron Diaz took to the stage to make her go-to Cuban smash burgers at the Napa Valley summer festival.

Cameron Diaz's Go-To Burger

The quarter-pound burger is a combination of a classic smash burger, flattened to develop a flavorful crust, with a Cuban sandwich-inspired flair drawn from Diaz’s Cuban heritage. In addition to aioli and pickled onions, the burger includes classic Cuban sandwich ingredients, like pork, ham, pickles, and Swiss cheese.

Then, once fully assembled, Diaz throws the entire burger (bun and all) back into the pan and smashes it one more time to give it more of the panini-pressed essence of a Cuban sandwich. So, not only is the burger patty smashed for excellent browning, but the burger itself is, too.

Diaz’s full burger recipe can be found below, but, overall, it’s really simple to make. Her secret is using both ground beef and ground pork in the actual patty, seasoned with oregano; onion; cumin; and lemon, lime, and orange zest.

After the patty is smashed and cooked, but still over the heat, she tops it with pickles, ham, and cheese. Then, covers until the cheese is melted. The Cuban-inspired burger is finished with homemade aioli, pickled onions, and avocado, then toasted in the pan.

Diaz serves the burger with plantain chips, which sound tasty. However, we know she’s got some other delicious summer recipes, like corn salad and a lightly dressed “crunch” salad, that would pair nicely, too. 

Of course, Diaz recommends pairing the burger with her crisp Avaline Rosé, but whatever you’re drinking this summer works! That's the beauty of burgers, they're so versatile.

Cameron Diaz's Cuban Smash Burger Recipe

Yields: 8 burgers

Ingredients

• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 avocados
• 1 jar pickle chips and pickling liquid
• 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 1 lime
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 lemon
• 1 orange
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons granulated garlic
• 2 teaspoons granulated onion
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 pound ground beef (80% lean)
• 1 pound ground pork
• 1/2 pound Swiss cheese
• 1/2 pound Black Forest ham (thinly sliced)
• 16 slices Cuban bread or crusty French or 8 brioche buns

Directions

1. Make the Pickled Onions & Avocado: In a medium mixing bowl, combine sliced onion and avocado. Pour the pickling liquid from the pickles over top. Set aside in the fridge. 
2. Make the Golden Aioli: In a small mixing bowl, mix together mayo, yellow mustard, microplaned cloves of garlic, and sugar. Set aside. 
3. Prepare the burgers: In a small bowl, mix together the zest of 1 whole lime & lemon, zest of 1/2 an orange, dried oregano, granulated garlic, granulated onion, cumin, kosher salt, and black pepper. In a large mixing bowl, mix together ground beef and ground pork. Add the seasoning mixture and mix until thoroughly combined. Portion into 8 equal-sized balls (about 4 ounces each).
4. Preheat a large sauté pan or flat top over high heat. Once preheated, lightly oil cooking surface and add patties. (Make sure to not overcrowd the pan, the patties will require extra room for smashing!)
5. Cook for 1 minute undisturbed. Then, using a wide spatula or flat surface, flatten the patties until they are about 1/4 inch thick.
6. Season with salt and let the patties cook for about 2 more minutes to develop the crust before flipping over.
7. Once flipped, add 2-3 pickle chips, a slice of ham, and a slice of Swiss cheese to each burger. Cover with a lid or sheet pan and let the steam melt the cheese.
8. Meanwhile, generously spoon the Golden Aioli on both sides of the bread and lay the Pickled Onions & Avocado on the bottom side of the bread.
9. When the cheese is melted, the burger should be fully cooked. Move the burgers to the prepared bread.
10. Return the entire burger to the pan. Using a clean spatula, press the burgers to toast the exterior of the bread on both sides.
11. When the bread is golden brown and toasty, move to a sheet pan and keep warm in oven. Repeat the process with the other burgers, then serve.
    

This recipe was developed by Cameron Diaz in partnership with Chef Sara Good and Avaline.