Description
Easy Smash Burger Tacos are the best of two worlds—juicy, crispy-edged burger patties smashed thin on a skillet, served street taco-style on warm tortillas with classic cheeseburger toppings. They’re quick to make, deeply flavorful, and perfect for a fun weeknight dinner or backyard gathering.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Burger Tacos
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
- 6 small flour or corn tortillas
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 6 slices cheddar or American cheese
For the Burger Sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon pickle brine
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Sliced pickles
- Diced red onion
Instructions
- Prep the Burger Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle brine, and smoked paprika until smooth. Set aside.
- Portion and Shape the Meat: Divide the ground beef into 6 equal balls (about 2.5 ounces each). Season with salt and pepper, but don’t overwork the meat. Let rest while you prep other ingredients.
- Heat the Skillet: Heat a large cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat until very hot, about 3 minutes. If desired, lightly oil the skillet.
- Press and Cook the Patties: Place a tortilla on the hot skillet. Set a beef ball on the tortilla and smash it down evenly using a spatula or burger press so the beef covers most of the tortilla surface. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until edges are crispy and browned.
- Cheese It Up: Flip the tortilla and beef together carefully. Top the cooked beef side with a slice of cheese and cook another minute, just until the cheese melts and the tortilla is slightly crisped and golden.
- Assemble and Serve: Transfer the taco to a plate. Top each with a spoonful of burger sauce, shredded lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onion. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and beef balls. Serve immediately for maximum crispiness!
Notes
- For best results, use ground beef with some fat (80/20) for juicy, crispy edges.
- Experiment with your favorite burger toppings—try grilled onions, chopped jalapeños, or even avocado.
- Cook the patties in batches if your skillet isn’t big enough to hold all at once.
- For extra crunch, lightly toast the tortillas before adding beef.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.7g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
