Smash Burger Tacos (Printable version)
Crispy smashed beef tacos loaded with cheese, fresh toppings, and creamy burger sauce in just 30 minutes.
# What you'll need:
→ Beef & Seasoning
01 - 1.1 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend)
02 - 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
03 - 1 tsp black pepper
04 - ½ tsp garlic powder
→ Tacos
05 - 8 small flour tortillas
06 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
07 - 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
08 - 1 large tomato, diced
09 - ½ small red onion, finely diced
10 - ¼ cup dill pickles, thinly sliced
→ Burger Sauce
11 - ⅓ cup mayonnaise
12 - 2 tbsp ketchup
13 - 1 tbsp yellow mustard
14 - 1 tbsp finely diced pickles
15 - 1 tsp white vinegar
16 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
17 - Pinch of sugar
# Directions:
01 - In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, diced pickles, vinegar, smoked paprika, and sugar. Mix until fully incorporated and refrigerate until ready to use.
02 - Divide the ground beef into 8 equal portions and gently roll each into a loose ball without overworking the meat.
03 - Set a large non-stick skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and allow it to come to temperature.
04 - Place 2 beef balls on the hot skillet per batch. Lay a flour tortilla over each ball and press firmly with a sturdy spatula, smashing the beef thin so it spreads across the underside of the tortilla with the beef side in direct contact with the pan.
05 - Sprinkle salt, pepper, and garlic powder evenly over the exposed beef. Cook for 2 minutes, pressing down occasionally, until the edges turn crisp and deeply browned.
06 - Flip each taco so the tortilla side contacts the pan, then scatter shredded cheddar over the beef. Cook for 1 additional minute until the tortilla is golden and the cheese is fully melted.
07 - Cook the remaining beef balls and tortillas in batches following the same method.
08 - Top each taco with shredded lettuce, diced tomato, red onion, sliced dill pickles, and a generous drizzle of the prepared burger sauce.
09 - Plate the tacos right away while the tortillas are still crisp and the beef is hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The crispy beef edges that form against the hot pan give you that craveable smash burger crust without needing a grill
- Everything melts together in one layer so every single bite has beef, cheese, and sauce in perfect proportion
02 -
- A metal spatula gives you much better leverage for smashing than plastic or silicone, and it will not bend under pressure
- Do not try to cook more than two at a time because crowding the pan drops the temperature and you will not get that caramelized crust
03 -
- Press straight down and hold for a full three seconds when smashing rather than pushing and sliding, which tears the beef apart
- American cheese melts faster and creamier than cheddar if you want that true fast food burger vibe