Easy Smash Burger Tacos Recipe

Introduction

These Easy Smash Burger Tacos bring together the juicy, crispy goodness of smash burgers with the convenience of a handheld taco. Ready in just 15 minutes, they’re a perfect crowd-pleaser that combines melty cheese, tangy pickles, and a flavorful homemade sauce wrapped in soft flour tortillas.

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 (for topping)
• Chopped white onion (for topping)
• Dill pickle chips (for topping)
• 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 (for sauce)
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

1. Step 1: Combine mayonnaise, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, mustard, minced pickles, pickle brine, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl. Whisk well and refrigerate until ready to use. The sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance.
2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, mix kosher salt and black pepper. Evenly sprinkle this seasoning over all sides of the ground beef. Divide the beef into six 2 1/2-ounce balls, handling gently to avoid toughness. Place the balls on a plate and refrigerate while preheating your cooking surface.
3. Step 3: Preheat a flat top or heavy skillet on high heat without oil until it is very hot—hotter than you might expect. This intense heat is essential for crispy, juicy burgers.
4. Step 4: Place each beef ball on the hot flat top and immediately put a six-inch flour tortilla on top.
5. Step 5: Using a smashing tool or spatula, press down firmly on the tortilla to smash the beef as thin as possible. Cook for 1 minute, then press down again to release fat and crisp the edges. Let cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes more until fully cooked through.
6. Step 6: Use a stiff steel spatula to check that the bottom of the burger is browned and crispy. If not, increase heat. Once cooked, flip the smashed burger onto its tortilla side and cook for another 2 minutes to crisp the tortilla. Top each with a slice of cheese, allowing it to melt.
7. Step 7: Remove the burgers from the heat. Add the prepared burger sauce and your choice of shredded lettuce, chopped onion, and dill pickle chips as toppings. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use flour tortillas instead of corn for the best absorption and to help the meat stick better.
• Handle the beef gently to keep the burgers tender; overworking can make them tough.
• If you don’t have a flat top, use a heavy cast iron skillet to get a good sear and crisp.
• Feel free to swap muenster or provolone for cheddar or pepper jack for a different flavor profile.
• For a spicy kick, add a dash of hot sauce to the burger sauce or sprinkle some sliced jalapeños on top.

Storage

These smash burger tacos are best enjoyed fresh for maximum crispness. If needed, store assembled tacos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. To reheat, use a skillet over medium heat to crisp the tortilla again and warm the burger without making it soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?

Flour tortillas work best because they absorb the meat juices better and help the burger stick, giving you a crispier and more cohesive taco. Corn tortillas tend to be less absorbent and might not hold up as well in this recipe.

How do I get the perfect crispy edges on the smash burger?

Preheat your cooking surface until it’s very hot, then press the meat down firmly twice—once to flatten it and again after a minute to squeeze out fat. This process creates that coveted crispy, caramelized edge while keeping the burger juicy inside.

Easy Smash Burger Tacos Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 61 reviews

These Easy Smash Burger Tacos combine the juicy, crispy texture of smash burgers with flavorful taco toppings for a quick and satisfying meal. With a homemade tangy burger sauce and melty provolone or muenster cheese, these tacos deliver a delicious twist on a classic burger perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

• Author: Sophie
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Frying
• 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

Toppings:

• Shredded lettuce
• Chopped white onion
• Dill pickle chips

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—mayonnaise, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, mustard, minced bread & butter pickles, pickle brine, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce—to a bowl and whisk until combined. Refrigerate until ready to use; the sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance.
2. Season and Form the Beef Balls: In a small bowl, mix kosher salt and fresh black pepper. Sprinkle evenly over the top and bottom of the ground beef log or chunk. Divide the meat into six 2 1/2 ounce balls, handling gently to avoid toughening the beef. Place balls on a plate and refrigerate until the cooking surface is hot.
3. Preheat the Flat Top Grill: Turn your flat top grill to high heat without oil or grease. Allow it to become extremely hot—hotter than you might expect—as this is key to achieving a crispy, juicy crust on the beef.
4. Place Beef Balls and Tortillas: Place each beef ball onto the hot flat top grill, then immediately place a six-inch flour tortilla directly on top of each ball.
5. Smash the Beef: Using a smashing tool or heavy spatula, press down firmly on each tortilla to flatten the beef as thin as possible. Let the patties cook for 1 minute undisturbed. Smash them firmly again to release some fat, allowing the edges to cook in it. Cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes without moving.
6. Check and Flip for Crispiness: Use a stiff steel spatula to scrape under a burger to check for a browned, crispy crust. If not crispy enough, increase grill temperature but it should already be very hot. Once crispy, flip the smash burger tacos onto their tortilla side and cook about 2 more minutes so the tortilla crisps up. Top each with a slice of cheese to melt during this time.
7. Assemble and Serve: Remove the tacos from the grill. Add a generous spoonful of burger sauce, then top with shredded lettuce, chopped onion, and dill pickle chips. Serve immediately and enjoy your crispy, flavorful smash burger tacos!

Notes

• Use flour tortillas for best results as they absorb the beef juices and help the meat stick.
• Handle the beef gently when forming balls to avoid tough burgers.
• The flat top must be extremely hot to get proper crispiness on the smash burger.
• You can prepare the burger sauce a few days in advance to save time.
• Cheese melts nicely on the warm, crispy tortilla—use muenster or provolone for best flavor.
• Freshly cracked black pepper adds essential seasoning, don’t skimp on it.

Keywords: smash burger tacos, quick dinner, easy tacos, ground beef tacos, crispy burger tacos