Zesty Smash Burger Tacos Recipe: Fresh Twist on Two Classics

Crafting a mind-blowing smash burger tacos fusion brings pure culinary excitement to your kitchen adventure.

Crispy edges and juicy meat create an irresistible combination that sparks instant hunger.

Backyard gatherings just became way more delicious with this unexpected twist on classic comfort food.

Minimal ingredients and quick preparation mean you can whip up these mouthwatering treats in no time.

Restaurant-quality flavors emerge from simple techniques that anyone can master at home.

Seasoned chefs and kitchen newbies alike will fall in love with this innovative recipe that promises to become your new obsession.

Grab a skillet and prepare for a taste experience that will revolutionize taco night forever.

Smash Burger Tacos Recap

• Tacos that combine the best of burgers and Mexican cuisine into one mouthwatering dish, perfect for satisfying everyone's cravings.
• Takes only 20 minutes from start to finish, making it an ideal weeknight dinner solution that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
• Flexible recipe allows personal touches like adding different cheeses, switching up protein, or including unique toppings to match individual preferences.
• Delivers an incredible contrast between crispy smashed beef, golden tortilla edges, and melted cheese that creates an addictive eating experience.

Smash Burger Tacos: Ingredient Rundown

• Ground Beef: Core protein for creating crispy, flavorful taco base with rich meaty texture.
• Corn Tortillas: Traditional base providing authentic taco structure and authentic Mexican touch.

• American Cheese Slices: Melty topping adding creamy richness and classic burger flavor.
• Mayonnaise: Smooth, tangy base for burger sauce with rich consistency.

• Ketchup, Mustard, Relish: Flavor-building components creating classic burger sauce profile.
• Hot Sauce: Adds subtle heat and depth to overall sauce complexity.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings enhancing meat's natural flavor.

• Shredded Lettuce: Fresh, crisp element providing textural contrast.
• Diced Onion: Sharp, pungent topping adding bright flavor punch.
• Pickle Chips: Tangy, crunchy addition bringing traditional burger element.

• Butter or Oil: Ensures smooth cooking surface and prevents sticking.

How to Assemble Smash Burger Tacos

Step 1: Whip Up the Secret Sauce

• Tangy mayonnaise
• Zesty ketchup
• Spicy mustard
• Chopped pickle relish
• Fiery hot sauce

Stir until smooth and set aside for later.

Step 2: Fire Up the Cooking Surface

Heat a cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high flame. Lightly grease the surface with a touch of butter or cooking oil to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Prepare Beef Balls

Divide ground beef into six equal portions. Gently roll each portion into loose, soft balls that will easily spread when smashed.

Step 4: Create Tortilla Patties

Place a soft tortilla on a flat surface. Position a beef ball directly in the center. Using a sturdy spatula or burger press, smash the beef down firmly and evenly across the tortilla. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Step 5: Sizzle and Crisp

Carefully transfer the tortilla with smashed beef onto the hot cooking surface. Press down firmly and cook for 2-3 minutes until the beef develops a crispy, golden-brown crust. Flip and cook the tortilla side for 30-60 seconds until lightly golden.

Step 6: Add Melty Cheese

Flip the taco beef-side up and crown with a slice of cheese. Remove from heat once the cheese becomes wonderfully melted and gooey.

Step 7: Build Your Flavor Masterpiece

• Crisp shredded lettuce
• Finely diced onions
• Crunchy pickle chips
• Generous drizzle of prepared burger sauce

Step 8: Serve and Devour

Plate the sizzling smash burger tacos while hot. Get ready to experience a mind-blowing fusion of crispy, juicy deliciousness!

Tips Before Making Smash Burger Tacos

• Perfect Crispiness Technique: Press the beef ball firmly into the tortilla using a heavy spatula or burger press to ensure maximum surface contact for an extra crispy exterior.
• Cheese Melting Hack: Remove the skillet from heat immediately after adding cheese to prevent overcooking while allowing perfect melting.
• Meat Selection Matters: Choose ground beef with 80/20 fat content for juicier, more flavorful smash burger tacos that won't dry out during cooking.
• Temperature Control Tip: Use medium-high heat to achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust without burning the tortilla or meat.
• Sauce Balance Strategy: Adjust burger sauce ingredients to your taste preference, adding more hot sauce for kick or extra relish for tanginess.

Keeping Smash Burger Tacos Tasty Later

• Store smash burger tacos in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Warm tacos in a hot skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, flipping once to restore crispiness and prevent sogginess.
• Quickly reheat tacos in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, placing a damp paper towel over them to maintain moisture and prevent dryness.
• Enjoy reheated tacos immediately after warming to preserve texture and flavor, as repeated reheating can compromise taste and quality.

Smash Burger Tacos Pairing Partners

• Classic cola perfectly complements the rich, savory beef with its sweet carbonation cutting through the burger's greasiness.
• Hoppy IPA provides a bold flavor contrast that matches the crispy, seasoned meat and zesty burger sauce.
• Mexican-style lager with a lime wedge cleanses the palate and offers a light, crisp balance to the heavy taco.
• Spicy michelada adds an extra kick that echoes the taco's robust flavor profile and complements the burger sauce's tang.

Unique Versions of Smash Burger Tacos

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace ground beef with plant-based burger crumbles or black beans seasoned with taco spices for a meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use corn tortillas and ensure all sauce ingredients are gluten-free certified for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Swap tortillas with large lettuce leaves or low-carb cauliflower tortillas to reduce carbohydrate intake while maintaining the smash burger flavor profile.
• Spicy Lovers' Upgrade: Add jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, and extra hot sauce to increase heat and create a fiery version of the original recipe.

FAQs for Smash Burger Tacos Fans

• What makes the beef crispy and browned when smashing onto the tortilla?

The direct contact with the hot skillet and pressing down firmly creates a perfect caramelized crust. The high heat and direct pressure help develop deep golden-brown edges and lock in the beef’s flavor.

• Can I use a different type of meat for this recipe?

Ground beef works best, but you can experiment with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based alternatives. Just ensure the meat has enough fat content to create that signature crispy texture when smashed.

• Do I need a special tool to smash the beef onto the tortilla?

No special equipment is required. A heavy spatula, burger press, or even the bottom of a flat-bottomed pan works perfectly. The key is applying firm, even pressure to create a thin, crispy patty.

• How do I prevent the tortilla from tearing when smashing the beef?

Use room temperature, soft corn or flour tortillas. Avoid cold or stiff tortillas. Gently press the beef, starting from the center and moving outward with consistent pressure to distribute the meat evenly without tearing.

Smash Burger Tacos Recipe

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4.5 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy, sizzling smash burger tacos blend American grilling techniques with Mexican street food flair. Quick and irresistible flavors melt together, creating a mouthwatering experience you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef (80/20 blend)
• 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon (½ tsp) black pepper

Tortillas and Cheese:

• 6 small flour tortillas (6-inch)
• 6 slices American cheese
• 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) butter or neutral oil (for cooking)

Toppings and Sauce:

• 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
• ¼ cup diced white onion
• 18 dill pickle chips
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) ketchup
• 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) sweet pickle relish
• ½ teaspoon (½ tsp) hot sauce (adjust to taste)

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Instructions

1. Whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle relish, and hot sauce in a small mixing vessel to create a vibrant burger sauce. Reserve for later garnishing.
2. Warm a heavy cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high temperature, applying a delicate coating of butter or cooking oil to prevent sticking.
3. Separate ground beef into six roughly equal spherical portions, loosely compacting each into a gentle ball shape.
4. Position a soft tortilla on a flat surface and center a beef ball precisely in its middle. Utilizing a robust spatula or burger press, decisively compress the meat uniformly across the tortilla’s surface. Season generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
5. Carefully transfer the taco to the heated skillet, positioning the meat-covered side downward. Apply firm pressure and allow the beef to caramelize and develop a crisp, golden exterior for approximately 2-3 minutes.
6. Gently flip the taco and toast the tortilla side for 30-60 seconds until achieving a light golden hue and satisfactory crispness.
7. Rotate the taco back to meat-side up and drape a cheese slice over the hot surface. Allow the cheese to melt completely before removing from heat.
8. Adorn each taco with crisp shredded lettuce, finely diced red onion, tangy pickle chips, and a generous zigzag of prepared burger sauce.
9. Present immediately while piping hot, celebrating the marriage of burger and taco in this innovative culinary creation.

Notes

• Customize meat selection by using lean ground beef for healthier option or mixing beef with ground turkey for lighter protein.
• Ensure skillet is properly heated to achieve signature crispy, caramelized beef edges that create incredible texture and flavor.
• Experiment with tortilla types like corn for authentic taste or flour for softer wrap, depending on personal preference and dietary needs.
• Control cheese melting by using pre-shredded varieties or thin cheese slices for consistent, quick melting across taco surface.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American-Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg