Smash burger tacos
This recipe is all about taking your favorite burger flavors and giving them a fun, taco-inspired twist. First, we smash seasoned ground beef directly onto a hot skillet, creating those irresistible crispy, caramelized edges. Then, instead of a traditional burger bun, we use warm, soft tortillas to hold all that deliciousness. To finish, we add melted cheese, fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles, and finally drizzle it all with a tangy, creamy Big Mac-inspired sauce. Every bite is packed with bold flavors and textures that will leave you wanting more.
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
If you want to make your smashburger tacos absolutely irresistible, here are four essential tips I always follow. Trust me, these make all the difference!
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!
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!