Smash Burger Tacos (Printable version)
Crispy smashed beef tucked into warm tortillas with cheddar, fresh toppings, and tangy burger sauce.
# What you 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
# How to make it:
01 - In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, diced pickles, vinegar, smoked paprika, and sugar. Mix thoroughly 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 tortilla over each ball and press flat with a sturdy spatula until the beef spreads thin across the underside of the tortilla, with the beef side in direct contact with the pan.
05 - Distribute salt, pepper, and garlic powder evenly over the exposed beef surface.
06 - Cook for 2 minutes, pressing down occasionally, until the beef edges are crisp. Flip so the tortilla side contacts the pan, then scatter cheese over the beef. Cook 1 additional minute until the tortillas are 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 pickles, and a generous drizzle of burger sauce.
09 - Plate the tacos and serve right away while the shells are still hot and crispy.
# Expert tips:
01 -
- The crispy beef edges against soft warm tortillas create a texture contrast you will think about for days
- The homemade burger sauce pulls everything together in a way store bought condiments never could
- It feeds four people in the time it takes to watch one episode of anything
02 -
- A metal spatula gives you much better leverage for smashing than plastic or silicone ever will
- Do not try to cook more than two at a time because crowding drops the pan temperature and steams instead of sears
03 -
- Let the skillet reheat for 30 seconds between batches to maintain that searing temperature
- Season the beef after smashing not before because pre seasoning the balls makes them too salty when compressed thin