If you’ve ever stood at the crossroads of burger cravings and a love for tacos, let me introduce you to Smash Burger Tacos—a delectable twist on two iconic comfort foods. This dish fuses juicy, crispy-edged smashed burgers with soft tortillas, melty cheese, and classic burger fixings, all ready in under half an hour. The result is a hand-held meal that delivers everything you love about burgers—savory beef, gooey cheese, tangy pickles—with the irresistible portability of tacos. Get ready to fall in love with your new favorite, weeknight-friendly recipe!

Smash Burger Tacos Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Smash Burger Tacos is all about fresh, simple ingredients coming together for huge flavor. Each component adds something special to the experience, ensuring every bite is crave-worthy and satisfying.

Ground beef (80/20): This blend strikes the perfect balance between flavor and juiciness—essential for that classic burger taste and crispy edges.
Salt: Sprinkle it on the beef for simple seasoning that lets the meat’s robust flavor shine.
Black pepper: Adds just enough background heat to make things pop but not overpower the beef.
Small flour tortillas: Choose street taco-size for the ideal ratio of tortilla to meat; they crisp beautifully and hold everything together.
Diced onion: These bring crunch and a little zing, channeling all the old-school burger joint vibes.
American cheese or cheddar: Either melts like a dream over the hot beef, creating that classic, oozy effect.
Shredded lettuce: Adds a fresh and light crispness that contrasts the rich, warm filling.
Sliced pickles: For tang and snap that cuts through all the savory, cheesy goodness.
Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise: Use one, some, or all for nostalgic burger sauce flavor tailored to your taste.
Cooking spray or oil: A light coat helps tortillas crisp around the edges and keeps everything from sticking.

How to Make Smash Burger Tacos

Step 1: Portion and Prepare the Beef

Start by dividing your ground beef into 6 equal balls—about 2.5 ounces each. Gently flatten them so they’re ready for smashing, then sprinkle each with salt and pepper. This prep gives you evenly cooked patties with maximum surface area for those flavorful, lacy edges we love in Smash Burger Tacos.

Step 2: Heat the Skillet

Grab your trusty cast iron skillet or griddle and place it over medium-high heat. Lightly grease the surface with cooking spray or oil to ensure your tacos come off clean, and to help the tortillas crisp and brown to perfection.

Step 3: Smash and Cook the Tacos

Place a small flour tortilla directly on the hot skillet, then immediately top it with one beef ball. Using a heavy spatula (or the bottom of a small pan), smash the beef down firmly until it’s pressed thin and reaches the edge of the tortilla. Let it sear undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes to develop those irresistible crispy bits.

Step 4: Flip and Add Cheese

Flip the whole taco so that the beef is now facing down onto the skillet. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until the beef deepens in color and cooks through. Now’s the time for the cheese—pop a slice on top, let it melt just enough to become perfectly gooey, then pull your Smash Burger Taco from the skillet.

Step 5: Top and Serve Hot

Work quickly to assemble each taco with diced onion, shredded lettuce, sliced pickles, and a squiggle of your favorite sauces—ketchup, mustard, mayo, or even all three. Repeat with the remaining ingredients, and serve the Smash Burger Tacos immediately while they’re hot, cheesy, and ultra-satisfying.

How to Serve Smash Burger Tacos

Garnishes

Serve your Smash Burger Tacos piled high with a mix of crisp shredded lettuce, diced onion, and tangy sliced pickles—these fresh toppings cut through the richness and add classic burger flair. For an extra pop, a drizzle of ketchup, mustard, and mayo is a must!

Side Dishes

Pair these tacos with shoestring fries or crispy potato wedges for the ultimate burger-night spread. For a lighter side, go for a simple slaw or crunchy pickled veggies—the acidity will balance all that melty, beefy goodness.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re feeding a crowd, arrange Smash Burger Tacos on a platter lined with parchment and scatter extra toppings and sauces around for a build-your-own vibe. Mini flags or toothpicks add a fun touch for parties, and a side of dipping sauce lets guests get playful with their favorites.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have any tacos left, let them cool completely then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the toppings and sauces separate, so the tortillas don’t get soggy.

Freezing

While Smash Burger Tacos are at their best fresh, you can freeze them (just the beef-and-tortilla base) wrapped tightly in foil or freezer bags for up to 1 month. Add cheese and toppings after reheating for the best texture and flavor.

Reheating

Reheat tacos on a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes per side, which helps the tortilla regain its crispiness. You can also warm them in the oven at 350°F, wrapped loosely in foil, until hot—just add the toppings after reheating.

FAQs

Can I use other ground meats for Smash Burger Tacos?

Absolutely! Ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based alternatives all work well. Just keep an eye on cooking time, as leaner meats may cook faster or need a touch of extra oil for moisture.

What’s the best way to get super crispy edges?

The key is smashing the beef thin, almost to the edge of the tortilla, and letting it sear undisturbed for a couple of minutes. A heavy spatula or the bottom of a small pot makes this easier and ensures maximum crispiness.

Can I prep these Smash Burger Tacos ahead for a party?

You can shape the beef patties and prep the toppings a day in advance. Cook the tacos just before serving so they stay hot and melty. Consider setting up a DIY taco bar for guests to top their own!

What if I only have regular-sized tortillas?

You can still make Smash Burger Tacos with larger tortillas, but they’ll be more filling and might take a bit longer to heat through. Feel free to adjust the beef portion to fit the larger size and enjoy the extra surface area for more toppings.

Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Simply use a dairy-free cheese alternative or skip the cheese altogether. The beef and toppings will still deliver heaps of burger flavor in every bite.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a burger fanatic, taco devotee, or just love easy, crowd-pleasing meals, you’ve got to try making Smash Burger Tacos at home. It’s an absolute flavor fest that’s as fun to cook as it is to eat—go ahead, gather your favorite people and dig in!

Smash Burger Tacos Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 6 tacos 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

These Smash Burger Tacos are a delightful fusion of a classic smash burger and a taco, creating a flavorful and satisfying meal that’s perfect for a quick dinner. Juicy beef patties smashed onto tortillas with gooey cheese, then topped with classic burger fixings.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Beef Patties:

1 pound ground beef (80/20)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Tacos:

6 small flour tortillas
1/2 cup diced onion
6 slices American cheese or cheddar cheese
Shredded lettuce
Sliced pickles
Ketchup
Mustard
Mayonnaise
Cooking spray or oil for the skillet

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Instructions

Prepare the Beef Patties: Divide the ground beef into 6 balls, season with salt and pepper. Flatten each ball into a thin patty.
Cook the Tacos: Heat a skillet, place a tortilla, add a beef patty, and smash it down. Cook, flip, add cheese, then remove and repeat.
Assemble: Top each taco with onion, lettuce, pickles, and sauces. Serve hot.