Smash Burger Tacos

Hey there, taco lovers! 🌮 Today, I’m bringing you a recipe mashup that’s gonna knock your socks off—Smash Burger Tacos! If you’re like me and can’t decide between a juicy burger and a crispy taco, why not have both? This recipe is all about quick, tasty, and fun food that’ll make any weeknight dinner feel like a mini fiesta. So, grab your skillet and let’s get smashing!

Try my Breakfast Taco recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Burger + Taco Combo: It’s the best of both worlds! Juicy burger patties smashed into crispy tortillas—what’s not to love?

Quick & Easy: From start to finish, you’re looking at just 20 minutes. Perfect for those busy weeknights.

Melty, Cheesy Goodness: Gooey cheese and a special sauce that’s super simple but oh-so-delicious.

Fun to Eat: These tacos are handheld happiness. Great for casual dinners, game nights, or whenever you need a little comfort food.

Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone’s going to love these, whether you’re serving family or friends.

Try my Chipotle Shrimp Tacos with Avocado-Mango Salsa recipe.

What you’ll need to make

We’re keeping it simple but flavorful. The star here is the ground beef—95% lean, so you get all the juicy goodness without too much grease. Then, we’ve got corn tortillas that get perfectly crispy when you press them onto the sizzling beef. Top it off with a couple of slices of melty cheese, because what’s a burger without cheese, right? 🧀

For the crunch, we’re adding some fresh shredded lettuce and diced onions. And let’s not forget the sauce—a super easy mix of mayo, ketchup, mustard, and a touch of hot sauce for that extra zing. Oh, and those dill pickles? They add just the right amount of tangy kick to bring it all together. Simple ingredients, big flavors, and a whole lot of yum!

Try my BBQ Tofu Tacos recipe.

What you’ll need to do

Time needed: 20 min

1| Grab a small bowl and toss in the mayo, ketchup, mustard, diced pickles, and a dash of hot sauce. Give it a good stir and set it aside for later—this is your secret sauce!

2| Heat up a skillet over medium-high heat. You want it nice and hot.

3| Season your ground beef with salt and pepper. Divide the beef into 4 portions and shape them into patties. Now, throw them onto the hot skillet and let them sizzle for about 2 minutes. Here comes the fun part—place a tortilla right on top of each patty and press down so the beef spreads out to match the tortilla’s shape.

4| Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the tortilla is golden and crispy. Flip the whole thing over, top each patty with a slice of cheese, and let it melt while the tortilla crisps up on the other side.

5| Once the cheese is all melty and the tortilla is looking good, sprinkle on some shredded lettuce and diced onions. Drizzle with that awesome sauce you made earlier, fold them up like tacos, and you’re done! Serve these beauties right away.

Try my Steak Street Tacos recipe.

Enjoy your Smash Burger Tacos!

Some possible substitution and improvisation ideas for the recipe

Here are some substitution and improvisation ideas to make these Smash Burger Tacos your own:

1. Protein Swap: Not a beef fan? Try ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option. For a vegetarian twist, go with a plant-based ground meat or even black bean patties.
2. Cheese Choices: While I love classic American cheese for its meltiness, you can switch it up with cheddar, pepper jack for a spicy kick, or even a gooey slice of mozzarella.
3. Tortilla Options: If you’re not into corn tortillas, flour tortillas work just as well. Want to go low-carb? Use lettuce wraps or low-carb tortillas instead.
4. Add Some Heat: Spice things up by adding jalapeños, sriracha, or a dash of cayenne pepper to the sauce. You can also mix some hot sauce directly into the beef for an extra punch.
5. Crunch Factor: If you love a bit more crunch, throw in some crispy fried onions or tortilla strips on top of the tacos.
6. Sauce Variations: Play around with the sauce! Swap out the ketchup for BBQ sauce, or add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for a creamier texture.
7. Topping Ideas: Get creative with your toppings—sliced avocado, tomatoes, pickled onions, or even a fried egg can take these tacos to the next level.

Try my Green Eggs and Ham Tortilla recipe.

These swaps and add-ins let you customize the recipe to fit your taste and dietary preferences, so feel free to get creative!

Some useful tips for the recipe

Here are some useful tips to help you nail those Smash Burger Tacos:

1. Chill the Beef: For easier handling, keep your ground beef chilled until you’re ready to form the patties. Cold beef is less sticky and holds its shape better when pressing it into the tortillas.
2. Preheat the Skillet: Make sure your skillet is hot before adding the beef. A properly heated skillet will give you that perfect sear on the patties and help the tortillas crisp up nicely.
3. Press with Care: When pressing the tortillas onto the beef, use a spatula or the bottom of a small pan to get an even smash. This helps the beef spread evenly and cooks it in the shape of the tortilla.
4. Don’t Overcook: Keep an eye on the cook time—overcooking the beef can make it dry. You want the patties juicy, with just enough time to crisp up the tortillas.
5. Melt the Cheese Just Right: After flipping the patty, add the cheese and cover the skillet for a minute or two. This traps the heat and helps the cheese melt faster and more evenly.
6. Customize the Sauce: Taste your sauce before drizzling it on the tacos. If you like more tang, add extra mustard or pickles; for more heat, increase the hot sauce.
7. Serve Immediately: These tacos are best enjoyed hot off the skillet, so have everything prepped and ready to go before you start cooking.

These tips should help make the process smoother and your Smash Burger Tacos even more delicious!

Try my Quinoa Spinach Tortilla recipe.

Some serving suggestions

Here are some serving ideas to elevate your Smash Burger Tacos:

1. Taco Bar: Set up a taco bar with all the fixings—lettuce, tomatoes, onions, shredded cheese, salsa, and guacamole—so everyone can build their own tacos to their liking.
2. Side Dishes: Serve with classic sides like crispy fries, sweet potato wedges, or a fresh side salad. For a healthier twist, try some roasted veggies or a light coleslaw.
3. Dipping Sauces: Offer a variety of dipping sauces on the side, like extra hot sauce, ranch, or a tangy BBQ sauce, for added flavor.
4. Garnishes: Top your tacos with fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, or a squeeze of lime juice for an extra pop of flavor.
5. Drinks: Pair with refreshing drinks like iced tea, lemonade, or a cold beer. For something a bit different, try a fruity mocktail or a fizzy soda.
6. Appetizers: Start the meal with some light appetizers like chips and salsa, quesadillas, or stuffed jalapeños.
7. Presentation: Serve your tacos on a colorful platter or wooden board for a rustic touch. Arrange them with garnishes and sauces for a visually appealing spread.

These ideas should make your Smash Burger Tacos even more enjoyable and create a memorable meal experience!

Try my Mediterranean Falafel Pita Burgers recipe.

Some storage suggestions

Here are some storage options for your Smash Burger Tacos:

Refrigeration:

• Assembled Tacos: If you have leftovers, you can store the assembled tacos in an airtight container in the fridge. To prevent sogginess, store the tortillas and toppings separately from the beef patties.
• Beef Patties: Store any leftover cooked beef patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezing:

• Cooked Patties: Wrap individual cooked patties in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or a skillet before serving.
• Uncooked Patties: Form the patties and freeze them on a baking sheet until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be cooked directly from frozen or thawed in the fridge before cooking.

Sauce Storage:

• Homemade Sauce: Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze it in ice cube trays for longer storage.

Toppings:

• Shredded Lettuce and Diced Onions: Keep these in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days to maintain their freshness and crunch.
• Cheese: Store any leftover cheese in the fridge in its original packaging or an airtight container for up to a week.

Tortillas:

• Corn Tortillas: Store tortillas in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze them in a bag or container, then thaw at room temperature before using.

When reheating, you might need to refresh the tortillas by briefly heating them in a skillet to restore their crispiness.

Check out my less than 30 minutes quick meals, here.

And there you have it—Smash Burger Tacos that are as fun to make as they are to eat! These babies are packed with all the good stuff: juicy beef, crispy tortillas, melty cheese, and that killer sauce. I guarantee these tacos will become a regular in your dinner rotation. So, what are you waiting for? Go on, dig in, and enjoy every bite! 🌮🍔

Glycemic Index: 50 (low) Glycemic Load: 12 (moderate)

Recipe Card

Smash Burger Tacos

Get the best of both worlds with these Smash Burger Tacos! 🌮🍔 Juicy beef, crispy tortillas, and all the classic burger flavors you love, all wrapped up in one delicious taco.

Cuisine: American Courses: Dinner, Lunch, Snack Recipe Keys: High Protein Low Carb M Meal Prep

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe BEEF

Prep Time 5 mins Cook Time 15 mins Total Time 20 mins Difficulty: Intermediate Servings: 4 Estimated Cost: 10 Calories: 411

Ingredients

Servings

• 4 tbsp mayonnaise

• 1 tbsp tomato ketchup

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• 2 dill pickles, diced

• ¹⁄₂ tsp hot sauce

• 1 lb 95% ground beef (450g)

• 1 tsp sea salt

• ¹⁄₂ tsp ground black pepper

• 4 corn tortillas ((6”/15cm))

• 2 slices cheese, cut in half lengthwise

• 2.7 oz shredded lettuce (75g)

• 1.2 oz onions, diced (35g)

Instructions

1. Step 1:

   Place the mayonnaise, tomato ketchup, mustard, dill pickles and hot sauce in a small bowl, stir to combine and set aside.

2. Step 2:

   Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.

3. Step 3:

   Season the beef with salt and pepper and divide into 4 even-sized portions. Form burgers with your hands, then place on the hot pan and cook for 2 minutes. Place a tortilla on top of each beef burger and press down to flatten the beef into the shape and size of the tortilla.

4. Step 4:

   Cook for a further 2-3 minutes, until the tortilla is golden brown. Flip each patty over and top with cheese. Once the cheese has melted, and tortilla has lightly browned, top with lettuce and onions.

5. Step 5:

   Drizzle with the sauce, then remove from the skillet and fold in half like a taco. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 411kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 27g42%

Total Carbohydrate 14g5%

Protein 28g57%

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* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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