Are you craving the best of both worlds? Well, look no further! Smash burger tacos combine the juicy, mouthwatering flavors of a classic smashburger with the convenience and fun of tacos, creating one irresistible dish. Whether it’s game night, a casual gathering with friends, or just a quick dinner for the family, this recipe is guaranteed to become a favorite. It’s my go-to for satisfying burger cravings in a fresh and exciting way, and trust me, it never disappoints!
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Summary Recipe:
1. Searing the Beef
First, we smash seasoned ground beef directly onto a hot skillet, creating those irresistible crispy, caramelized edges.
2. Using Tortillas Instead of Buns
Then, instead of a traditional burger bun, we use warm, soft tortillas to hold all that deliciousness.
3. Adding the Toppings
To finish, we add melted cheese, fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles.
4. Drizzling with Sauce
Finally, drizzle it all with a tangy, creamy Big Mac-inspired sauce.
5. Enjoying the Flavor Explosion
Every bite is packed with bold flavors and textures that will leave you wanting more.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
1. Searing the Beef
First, we smash seasoned ground beef directly onto a hot skillet, creating those irresistible crispy, caramelized edges.
2. Using Tortillas Instead of Buns
Then, instead of a traditional burger bun, we use warm, soft tortillas to hold all that deliciousness
3. Adding the Toppings
To finish, we add melted cheese, fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles.
4. Drizzling with Sauce
Finally, drizzle it all with a tangy, creamy Big Mac-inspired sauce.
5. Enjoying the Flavor Explosion
Every bite is packed with bold flavors and textures that will leave you wanting more.
Smash burger Tacos Ingredients
Mini tortilla bread: These soft tortillas serve as the perfect base to hold all the juicy fillings.
American cheese slices: Choose your favorite cheese to melt beautifully over the beef.
Ground beef: Use fresh, high-quality beef to ensure flavorful, juicy patties.
Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the natural flavor of the beef.
Black pepper: Adds a subtle kick to the meat for a balanced taste.
Lettuce: Fresh, crisp lettuce adds a refreshing crunch to every bite
Tomatoes: Juicy slices of tomatoes bring a burst of sweetness and color
Onion: Thinly sliced onions provide a sharp, tangy flavor to complement the beef
Pickles: Add tangy, crunchy pickles for that classic burger taste
Big Mac Sauce Ingredients
Mayonnaise: The creamy base for the sauce that ties all the flavors together.
Ketchup: Adds a hint of sweetness and color to the sauce.
Mustard: A dash of mustard gives the sauce a tangy kick.
Minced pickles: These small bits of pickles bring in texture and zesty flavor.
Minced onion: Finely chopped onion blends perfectly into the sauce for extra zest.
Vinegar or pickle juice: A splash of acidity balances the richness of the mayo.
Salt: Just a touch to bring out all the flavors in the sauce.
Black pepper: A sprinkle to add depth and a slight kick
How to make Smash burger tacos
First, mix all the Big Mac sauce ingredients, then refrigerate to let the flavors meld and develop a tangy taste.
Next, season the ground beef with salt and black pepper, mixing well to evenly coat the meat for cooking.
Divide the seasoned ground beef into 6 equal-sized balls, or 5 for thicker patties, making sure they are compact and uniform for even cooking.
Now, heat a cast iron skillet or grill over medium-high heat. If your meat is lean, add a small amount of oil to the cast iron to prevent sticking. Once the pan is hot, place the meat balls in the skillet and immediately top each with a mini tortilla to help it cook evenly.
Next, use something heavy, like a spatula or another flat object, to smash the meat balls down, pressing firmly to create a flat, evenly cooked patty that will crisp up perfectly.
Let the smashed patties cook on medium heat for about 2 minutes, or until the meat is fully cooked through and has developed a nice sear on the bottom
Then, flip the patties over and immediately place a slice of American cheese, or any cheese of your choice, on top of the hot patty, allowing it to melt over the meat.
Allow the patty to cook for another minute, giving the cheese time to melt completely and the tortilla to crisp up around the edges, adding a nice crunch to the overall texture.
Finally, top the cooked patties with your favorite fresh vegetables and a generous drizzle of the Big Mac sauce, then enjoy this delicious burger-taco hybrid that’s bursting with flavor.
Top 4 Tips for Perfect Smash burger Tacos
If you want to make your smashburger tacos absolutely irresistible, then here are four essential tips I always follow. Believe me, these truly make all the difference!
1. Start with High-Quality Ground Beef:
First and foremost, begin by choosing ground beef with a good fat content (I recommend 80/20). In fact, I’ve found that the fat not only enhances the flavor, but also helps create those crispy, caramelized edges that make smashburgers so special.
2. Heat Your Skillet to the Perfect Temperature:
Before you even think about cooking, first make sure your skillet is properly preheated. I always wait until it’s hot enough to lightly smoke, which ensures the beef cooks quickly and gets that signature golden crust we all love.
3. Melt Cheese Directly on the Beef Patties:
As soon as I flip the patties, immediately add the cheese. This allows it to melt beautifully while the second side cooks, resulting in the perfect gooey topping that wraps around the crispy beef.
4. Warm Your Tortillas for Better Texture:
Never skip warming the tortillas! In fact, I like to heat them directly in the same skillet after cooking the beef. This way, the tortillas soften and absorb just a hint of that beefy flavor, making them the perfect base for your tacos.
Top 4 Frequently Asked Questions For Smash Burger Tacos
- Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes, absolutely! While I personally love the creamy melt of American cheese for this recipe, you can easily swap it out for cheddar, mozzarella, or any cheese that melts beautifully. Just be sure it’s a cheese that complements the flavors of the beef and the Big Mac sauce.
- What kind of ground beef works best?
For the best results, I highly recommend using ground beef with an 80/20 fat ratio. This strikes the perfect balance between flavor and juiciness, which is so important for these smashburger tacos. However, if you prefer leaner meat, it’s fine too, but you might miss out on some of that extra flavor.
- Can I make the Big Mac sauce ahead of time?
Yes, and in fact, I actually encourage it! Preparing the sauce ahead of time allows the flavors to meld together, which makes it even tastier. I suggest making it up to 3 days in advance and storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. Not only does this save you time when you’re ready to assemble everything, but it also enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
- Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour?
Of course, you can! Personally, I love using flour tortillas for their softness, but corn tortillas bring a unique flavor and texture to the dish. That said, just remember to warm them up before assembling your tacos, so they don’t crack or break. Trust me, it’s a simple step that makes a big difference!
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Smash burger tacos
Ingredients
- 6 mini tortilla bread
- 6 American cheese slices or any other cheese that you like
- 1/2 kilo ground beef
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Lettuce tomatoes, onion & pickles
- Big Mac sauce:
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp mustard
- 1 tbsp chopped very small or minced pickles
- 1 tbsp minced onion
- 1/2 tsp vinegar or pickles juice
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preparing the Big Mac Sauce
- First, mix all the ingredients for the Big Mac sauce in a bowl, ensuring they are well incorporated. Then, refrigerate the sauce to allow the flavors to combine and develop a rich, tangy taste.
- Seasoning the Ground Beef
- Next, take the ground beef and season it evenly with salt and black pepper, mixing well to ensure every part of the meat is flavored, preparing it for cooking.
- Forming the Patties
- Afterward, divide the seasoned ground beef into 6 equal-sized balls, or, if you prefer thicker patties, form the meat into 5 larger, equally-sized balls, making sure they are compact and uniform for even cooking.
- Heating the Pan and Preparing the Meat
- Now, heat a cast iron skillet or grill over medium-high heat. If your meat is lean, add a small amount of oil to the cast iron to prevent sticking. Once the pan is hot, place the meat balls in the skillet and immediately top each with a mini tortilla to help it cook evenly.
- Smashing the Patties
- Next, use something heavy, like a spatula or another flat object, to smash the meat balls down, pressing firmly to create a flat, evenly cooked patty that will crisp up perfectly.
- Cooking the Meat
- Let the smashed patties cook on medium heat for about 2 minutes, or until the meat is fully cooked through and has developed a nice sear on the bottom.
- Adding the Cheese
- Then, flip the patties over and immediately place a slice of American cheese, or any cheese of your choice, on top of the hot patty, allowing it to melt over the meat.
- Crisping the Tortilla
- Allow the patty to cook for another minute, giving the cheese time to melt completely and the tortilla to crisp up around the edges, adding a nice crunch to the overall texture.
- Topping and Serving
- Finally, top the cooked patties with your favorite fresh vegetables and a generous drizzle of the Big Mac sauce, then enjoy this delicious burger-taco hybrid that’s bursting with flavor.
Notes
1. Start with High-Quality Ground Beef:
First and foremost, choose ground beef with a good fat content (I recommend 80/20). I’ve found that the fat not only enhances the flavor but also helps create those crispy, caramelized edges that make smashburgers so special.
2. Heat Your Skillet to the Perfect Temperature:
Before you even think about cooking, make sure your skillet is properly preheated. I always wait until it’s hot enough to lightly smoke. This ensures the beef cooks quickly and gets that signature golden crust we all love.
3. Melt Cheese Directly on the Beef Patties:
As soon as I flip the patties, I add the cheese right away. This lets it melt beautifully while the second side cooks, creating the perfect gooey topping that wraps around the crispy beef.
4. Warm Your Tortillas for Better Texture:
Never skip warming the tortillas! I like to heat them directly in the same skillet after cooking the beef. This step softens the tortillas and adds just a hint of that beefy flavor, making them the perfect base for your tacos. With these four tips, I’m confident your smashburger tacos will turn out as mouthwatering as mine. Let me know if you try them!