Easy Smash Burger Tacos Recipe

Introduction

These Easy Smash Burger Tacos combine the juicy crispiness of smash burgers with the convenience of soft flour tortillas. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, they feature a flavorful burger sauce and classic toppings that elevate simple ingredients into something special.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (80/20 fat percentage)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 10 cracks fresh black pepper
• 6 (six-inch) flour tortillas
• 6 slices muenster or provolone cheese
• Shredded lettuce
• Chopped white onion (for topping)
• Dill pickle chips (for topping)
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• 2 tablespoons minced bread & butter pickles
• 1 tablespoon pickle brine
• 10 cracks fresh black pepper (for sauce)
• ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, mustard, minced bread & butter pickles, pickle brine, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce to make the burger sauce. Refrigerate until ready to use. This sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance.
2. Step 2: Mix the kosher salt and black pepper in a small bowl. Evenly sprinkle this seasoning over the top and bottom of the ground beef.
3. Step 3: Divide the beef into 2½ ounce balls, handling gently to avoid toughening the meat. Place the balls on a plate and refrigerate until your cooking surface is hot.
4. Step 4: Heat an ungreased flat top or skillet over high heat until extremely hot, hotter than you think is needed. This ensures a crispy, juicy burger crust.
5. Step 5: Place each beef ball on the hot surface and set a six-inch tortilla directly on top.
6. Step 6: Press down firmly on the tortilla using a smashing tool to flatten the meat as thin as possible. Let cook for 1 minute, then press down again to render fat for crispy edges. Cook undisturbed for 2–3 more minutes.
7. Step 7: Using a stiff steel spatula, check if the burger is browned and crispy underneath. If not, increase the heat. Once crispy, carefully flip the smash burger tacos onto their tortilla side. Let cook about 2 minutes to crisp the tortilla and melt the cheese placed on top.
8. Step 8: Remove from heat, add burger sauce and desired toppings such as shredded lettuce, chopped onion, and dill pickle chips. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use flour tortillas as they absorb the meat juices better and help the meat stick well.
• Pressing the burger twice helps render fat for crispy edges while keeping the center juicy.
• Swap muenster or provolone cheese with cheddar or pepper jack for a different flavor profile.
• For added heat, mix some hot sauce into the burger sauce.

Storage

Keep any leftover smash burger tacos wrapped tightly in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat to maintain crispness, or use a toaster oven. The tortillas and crispy edges are best enjoyed fresh, so avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a regular skillet instead of a flat top?

Yes, a heavy-bottomed skillet or cast iron pan works well. Just make sure it’s heated very hot before cooking to achieve the desired crispy crust.

Why are flour tortillas preferred over corn tortillas for this recipe?

Flour tortillas absorb the beef’s juices more effectively and help the meat stick during smashing. They also crisp up nicely when cooked directly on the flat top, enhancing texture and flavor.

Easy Smash Burger Tacos Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 75 reviews

These Easy Smash Burger Tacos combine crispy, juicy smashed beef patties with melty cheese, a tangy burger sauce, and fresh toppings all wrapped in soft flour tortillas. The burgers are seared on a very hot flat top grill, ensuring a deliciously caramelized crust, then topped with creamy sauce and crunchy toppings for a flavorful taco-style twist on a classic smash burger.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 smash burger tacos 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Burger

• 1 pound ground beef, 80/20 fat percentage
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 10 cracks fresh black pepper
• 6 (six-inch) flour tortillas
• 6 slices muenster or provolone cheese
• shredded lettuce, for topping
• chopped white onion, for topping
• dill pickle chips, for topping

Burger Sauce

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• 2 tablespoons minced bread & butter pickles
• 1 tablespoon pickle brine
• 10 cracks fresh black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

1. Prepare the Burger Sauce: Add all burger sauce ingredients to a bowl and whisk to combine thoroughly. Refrigerate until ready to use; it can be made up to 3 days in advance to allow flavors to meld.
2. Season and Portion the Beef: In a bowl, mix the kosher salt and fresh black pepper. Evenly distribute the seasoning over the entire surface of your ground beef chunk or log. Divide the beef into approximately 2 1/2 ounce balls, handling the meat gently to avoid toughness. Place each ball on a plate and refrigerate while preheating your flat top grill.
3. Preheat the Flat Top Grill: Turn the flat top grill to high heat without any oil or grease, letting it get extremely hot – hotter than you might initially think is necessary. This intense heat is key for achieving a crispy, caramelized crust on the burgers.
4. Place Beef Balls and Tortillas: Set each beef ball directly on the hot flat top and place a six-inch flour tortilla on top of each ball.
5. Smash the Burgers: Using a smashing tool, press down very firmly on the top of each tortilla to smash the beef flat until as thin as possible. Let the patties cook for 1 minute undisturbed, then press down firmly again on each tortilla to help render out fat and crisp the edges. Let cook undisturbed for another 2 to 3 minutes so the patties cook through completely.
6. Check for Crispy Browning and Flip: Use a stiff steel spatula to scrape underneath one of the patties to check for a browned, crispy crust. Be forceful if needed; some sticking is normal. If not crispy, increase heat slightly but maintain high temperature. Once the patties have the desired crisp, flip the smash burger tacos onto their tortilla side and cook an additional 2 minutes to crisp the tortillas. Top with cheese slices, allowing the cheese to melt as the tortillas crisp.
7. Serve: Remove the smash burger tacos from the flat top and top with prepared burger sauce, shredded lettuce, chopped white onion, and dill pickle chips. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

• Using flour tortillas works best because they absorb grease and help the meat stick to the tortilla better.
• Handle the ground beef gently and minimally to keep the patties tender.
• The key to a perfect smash burger is a very hot flat top grill for a crispy crust.
• Burger sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance and refrigerated.
• Smash burgers cook quickly due to their thinness; avoid overcooking by adhering to the recommended cooking times.
• Use a stiff steel spatula to flip and scrape burgers due to their thin, delicate nature.

Keywords: smash burger, smashed burger tacos, easy smash burgers, flat top burger, burger tacos, cheesy burger tacos