Preheat your Blackstone griddle to medium-high heat (about 400°F/200°C). Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions (about 4 oz each) and gently roll them into loose balls. Do not overwork the meat.
Spread a little butter or oil onto the griddle to lightly coat the surface. Place the brioche buns cut-side down to toast them for about 1-2 minutes until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
Place the beef balls onto the hot griddle, leaving enough space between them. Immediately place a piece of parchment paper over a ball, take a heavy burger press or a sturdy spatula, and press down firmly until the patty is flat and thin. Repeat for all patties. Discard the parchment paper.
Season the smashed patties generously with salt and pepper. Let them cook undisturbed for about 2-3 minutes. This uninterrupted cooking time is what builds that signature crispy, caramelized Blackstone crust.
Scrape under the patties with a sharp spatula (make sure to scrape hard to keep all that beautiful crust attached to the meat) and flip them. Immediately place a slice of American cheese on each patty. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the cheese is perfectly melted.
Assemble your burgers! Spread the burger sauce on the bottom buns, add the cheesy smash patties, top with pickles, and finish with the top bun. Serve hot and enjoy the ultimate Blackstone bite!