The Ultimate Smash Burger Tacos Recipe: Crispy Meets Zesty

Crafting a mouthwatering smash burger taco demands culinary creativity that breaks traditional flavor boundaries.

Mexican street food meets classic American diner in this unexpected fusion.

Crispy edges and juicy meat promise an unbeatable combination.

Thin patties seared to golden perfection create irresistible textural magic.

Carefully selected toppings and zesty seasonings elevate each bite beyond ordinary expectations.

Quick to assemble and guaranteed to impress, you’ll want to master this recipe immediately.

Prepare to transform your next meal into a legendary experience that celebrates bold, innovative cooking.

Why Smash Burger Tacos Are the Best of Both Worlds

• Quickly Create Crowd-Pleasing Meal: These smash burger tacos combine two favorite foods into one delicious dish that guarantees smiles from everyone around the table.
• Master Simple Cooking Techniques: Press beef into super-thin patties to achieve crispy edges and maximum flavor, developing restaurant-quality skills right in your kitchen without complicated methods.
• Zero Complicated Ingredients: Grab basic pantry staples and ground beef to craft an incredible meal, making this recipe perfect for spontaneous dinner solutions that don't require special shopping trips.
• Customize for Every Palate: Swap cheese types, adjust sauce ingredients, or add extra toppings to make these tacos match individual taste preferences, ensuring everyone gets exactly what they want.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Smash Burger Tacos

• Ground Beef: Lean meat that creates the classic smash burger texture when pressed thin on the griddle.

• Cheddar Cheese: Melty dairy component that adds rich flavor to the burger patties.

• Corn Tortillas: Traditional Mexican flatbread that serves as the taco shell and foundation of the dish.

• Mayonnaise, Ketchup, Yellow Mustard: Creamy and tangy base for the special sauce that adds moisture and complex flavor.
• Pickle, Garlic Powder: Provides additional depth and zesty undertones to the sauce.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential minerals that enhance and balance the overall taste of the burger and sauce.

• Lettuce, Onions: Fresh vegetables that add crunch and sharp flavor to complete the taco.

• Cooking Oil: Helps prevent sticking and promotes even browning of the beef patties.

How to Make Smash Burger Tacos at Home

Step 1: Create Signature Sauce

• Mayonnaise
• Ketchup
• Yellow mustard
• Chopped pickles
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk all ingredients together until smooth and fully blended. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Set sauce aside for later use.

Step 2: Prepare Beef Patties

Divide ground beef into eight equal portions. Gently form each portion into loose balls without compressing the meat too tightly. This helps create crispy edges during cooking.

Step 3: Smash and Sear Patties

Heat a cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Add a light coating of oil to prevent sticking. Place beef balls onto the hot surface. Using a sturdy spatula, firmly press down on each ball to create thin, crispy-edged patties. Cook for 2-3 minutes until edges turn golden brown.

Step 4: Add Cheese and Finish Cooking

Flip patties carefully. Immediately place a slice of cheddar cheese on top of each patty. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until cheese melts completely. Season with salt and pepper during cooking.

Step 5: Warm Tortillas

In a separate pan, lightly toast corn tortillas until they become warm and pliable. This step ensures they’re flexible and ready for filling.

Step 6: Build Delicious Tacos

• Shredded lettuce
• Diced onions
• Generous drizzle of prepared special sauce

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Plate the tacos immediately while they’re hot. Provide extra sauce on the side for additional dipping. Serve and savor these mouthwatering Smash Burger Tacos!

Tips for Getting That Signature Smash

• Prevent Beef Overworking: Gently form beef balls without compressing too tightly to keep the meat tender and juicy.
• Control Skillet Temperature: Ensure medium-high heat for perfect crispy edges without burning the meat patties.
• Toast Tortillas Carefully: Warm corn tortillas briefly to maintain flexibility without making them too crisp or brittle.
• Balance Sauce Flavors: Taste and adjust special sauce ingredients for a perfect blend of tangy and creamy notes.
• Serve Immediately Hot: Assemble and serve tacos right after cooking to maintain the burger's crispy texture and melted cheese.

Twists on Classic Smash Burger Tacos

• Spicy Southwest Burger Tacos: Replace ground beef with spicy chorizo, add jalapeños to the special sauce, and use pepper jack cheese for an extra kick.
• Vegetarian Black Bean Smash Tacos: Swap beef for mashed black beans mixed with taco seasoning, use plant-based cheese, and add roasted corn kernels for texture.
• Low-Carb Lettuce Wrap Version: Skip tortillas entirely and wrap smashed patties in large lettuce leaves, use a keto-friendly sauce with avocado mayo and hot sauce.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Lamb Tacos: Substitute ground beef with seasoned ground lamb, add crumbled feta cheese, tzatziki sauce instead of special sauce, and sprinkle with fresh mint.

What Goes Great with Burger Tacos

• Crisp Beer Blast: Select a cold, light lager or hoppy pale ale that cuts through the richness of the beef and complements the tangy special sauce. Mexican beers like Modelo or Corona work perfectly.
• Fresh Citrus Salad Sidekick: Prepare a zesty lime and cilantro salad with diced cucumber and red onion. The bright, refreshing flavors will balance the savory, heavy burger taco and cleanse the palate between bites.
• Cool Ranch Slaw Companion: Whip up a creamy ranch-style coleslaw with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a hint of jalapeño. This crunchy side dish adds texture and a cool contrast to the hot, melted cheese burger tacos.

Storing Smash Burger Tacos the Right Way

• Store leftover patties and taco components separately in sealed containers for up to 3-4 days. Keep the special sauce in a separate small jar.
• Wrap burger patties and tortillas separately in freezer-safe bags. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw in refrigerator overnight before reheating.
• Warm patties on medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes, flipping once to restore crispiness. Avoid microwave to prevent soggy texture. Add fresh cheese if desired.
• When ready to eat, quickly toast tortillas, place reheated patties, and top with fresh lettuce and onions. Drizzle new special sauce for best flavor and texture.

FAQs for Smash Burger Tacos

• What type of ground beef works best for this recipe?

Use ground beef with 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio for the juiciest and most flavorful smash burger tacos. The higher fat content helps create crispy edges and better taste.

Use a sturdy metal spatula and press down firmly and quickly on each beef ball when it first hits the hot skillet. Apply even pressure to create thin, crispy edges that develop a delicious browned crust.

• Can I make these tacos gluten-free?

Yes, simply use gluten-free corn tortillas and ensure your condiments are gluten-free. Most standard ingredients like ground beef, cheese, and vegetables are naturally gluten-free.

Smash Burger Tacos Recipe

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4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crafting Smash Burger Tacos brings Mexican-American fusion to a whole new level of deliciousness. Crispy beef patties nestled in warm tortillas create an irresistible culinary experience that satisfies your deepest comfort food cravings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef (80/20 blend)

Dairy and Cheese:

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Base and Wrap:

• 8 small corn tortillas

Vegetable Ingredients:

• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 1/2 cup diced onions
• 1 pickle, finely chopped

Seasoning and Spices:

• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Cooking Ingredients:

• Oil for cooking

Special Sauce Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard

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Instructions

1. Craft a zesty special sauce by blending mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, chopped pickle, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small mixing bowl until smooth and well-combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, then set aside.
2. Preheat a skillet or griddle to medium-high heat, adding a light coating of oil. Divide ground beef into 8 loose, gentle balls without compressing the meat too tightly.
3. Position beef balls onto the hot cooking surface, using a spatula to firmly press each into a thin, crispy-edged patty. Cook for 2-3 minutes until edges turn golden brown and crisp.
4. Flip patties and immediately top each with a slice of cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Cook an additional 1-2 minutes until cheese melts completely.
5. Simultaneously, warm corn tortillas in a separate pan until pliable and lightly toasted.
6. Construct tacos by layering two smashed beef patties onto each tortilla, then generously top with shredded lettuce and diced onions.
7. Drizzle each taco with the prepared special sauce, ensuring rich flavor in every bite. Serve immediately while hot, with extra sauce available for dipping.

Notes

• Achieve perfectly crispy edges by using a cast-iron skillet or flat griddle for maximum heat retention and even browning.
• Prevent beef from becoming tough by handling the meat minimally and avoiding over-mixing when forming patties.
• Choose lean ground beef with 80/20 fat content to ensure juicy, flavorful patties that won’t dry out during cooking.
• Customize the recipe for dietary needs by using lettuce wraps instead of tortillas or substituting plant-based meat alternatives for a vegetarian version.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 650
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg