Ready to take your taco night to a whole new level? Meet my scrumptious creation: Smash Burger Tacos! This delightful fusion combines the best of both worlds—juicy smash-style beef patties with all your favorite taco trimmings—to create a mouthwatering experience guaranteed to make you and your family swoon!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavor Fusion: This dish is a marriage of two classics—burgers and tacos—that creates a unique and flavorful experience.
- Quick & Easy: With just 20 minutes needed from start to finish, it’s ideal for a weeknight dinner.
- Customizable: Whether you love them spicy or prefer milder flavors, these tacos can be easily adapted to suit your taste.
- A Crowd-Pleaser: These tacos bring excitement to meal time and are sure to be a hit with both adults and kids alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for Smash Burger Tacos is a breeze! You’ll be amazed how each component—from the rich burger sauce to the crispy tortillas—build a medley of textures and tastes.
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base of our burger sauce, bringing richness to every bite.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a mild kick and depth that complements the beef beautifully.
- Lean Ground Beef: The star of the show, juicy and flavorful when cooked to perfection.
- Flour Tortillas: The perfect vehicle for our burger toppings, delivering a soft but firm texture.
- American Cheese: Melts effortlessly, adding a delightful gooeyness to the tacos.
Variations
These Smash Burger Tacos are immensely versatile, allowing you to mix and match ingredients to cater to your culinary cravings or dietary requirements. Let’s explore a few variations you might enjoy!
- Spicy Kick: Add a few slices of jalapeño or a dash of hot sauce to the burger sauce for some extra heat.
- Veggie Delight: Replace the ground beef with plant-based patties for a vegetarian-friendly option.
- Cheese Lovers: Experiment with different cheeses like cheddar or pepper jack for additional flavor.
How to Make Smash Burger Tacos
Step 1: Shape the Patties
Begin by dividing your ground beef into four equal portions. Take each portion and spread it evenly over one side of a tortilla. This ensures the beef remains thin and cooks completely, forming a crispy layer.
Step 2: Season and Cook
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a touch of oil. Place the tortilla meat-side down and press gently with a spatula. Cook each patty for 2-3 minutes until the beef develops a golden crust, then flip it and add a slice of cheese.
Step 3: Assemble Your Tacos
Spread a dollop of burger sauce over each toasted tortilla, then top with fresh lettuce, diced onions, and dill pickle chips. The crunchy contrast pairs beautifully with the juicy beef.
Pro Tips for Making Smash Burger Tacos
- Griddle Magic: If possible, use a griddle for cooking, as it allows you to make several tacos at once, ensuring they’re all perfectly timed.
- Press Gently: When smashing the beef over the tortilla, apply gentle pressure to avoid tearing while still achieving that glorious crust.
- Sauce Preparation: Prepare the burger sauce at least 30 minutes in advance to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Cheese Choice: Experiment with your favorite cheese types for a personalized spin on classic cheeseburger flavors!
How to Serve Smash Burger Tacos
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh cilantro or a dash of lime zest can elevate the already rich flavor of these tacos, bringing a touch of freshness that perfectly balances the heartiness of the dish.
Side Dishes
These Smash Burger Tacos pair perfectly with crisp coleslaw or a vibrant corn salad. For something a bit indulgent, serve with lightly salted chips and guacamole.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your tacos on a platter with a small bowl of sauce in the center for dipping. Layer them delicately, creating a taco tower, which brings a playful and impressive centerpiece to your dinner table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To store any leftover tacos, wrap them individually in aluminum foil and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. This helps to retain their freshness.
Freezing
Wrap the cooked meat in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. It’ll keep well in the freezer for up to 2 months. Just remember to defrost thoroughly before reheating.
Reheating
When ready to enjoy the leftovers, reheat the smash burger tacos on a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. This will gently warm them without drying out the meat or tortillas.
FAQs
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Can I make the smash burger patties in advance?
Absolutely! Prepare the beef patties a day before, cover them tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until you’re ready to cook.
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What is the best beef to use for smash burger tacos?
Opt for lean ground beef, as it reduces excess grease while still providing rich, beefy flavors essential for making these tacos delicious.
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Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour?
Sure thing! Corn tortillas provide a more traditional taco flavor. Keep an eye on them as they tend to get crispier and may require slightly less cooking time.
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Is there an alternative to American cheese?
Yes, you can swap American cheese with cheddar, gouda, or any other cheese that melts well. Each provides a unique flavor aspect to the dish.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to jazz up your usual taco night, these Smash Burger Tacos are the way to go! The recipe is not only simple and quick but incredibly satisfying. I invite you to try this delectable fusion and watch as your loved ones reach for seconds—and maybe even thirds!
Print
Smash Burger Tacos Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
Smash Burger Tacos combine the juicy, crispy-world of smash burgers with the handheld convenience of tacos. Featuring seasoned ground beef smashed on a hot skillet, topped with melty cheese, fresh vegetables, and a flavorful burger sauce, these tacos are perfect for a fun, savory meal that blends two favorite comfort foods into one irresistible dish.
Ingredients
Burger Sauce / Big Mac Sauce:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 4 tablespoons pickle relish
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Tacos:
- 4 Flour tortillas, 6 inches in size
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- Salt and pepper, both to taste
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil (vegetable, canola, or avocado)
- 4 slices American Cheese (or cheese of your choice)
- 1 small onion, diced
- Dill pickle chips, to taste
- Shredded iceberg lettuce, for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, pickle relish, Dijon mustard, sugar, white vinegar, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix well and refrigerate for at least 30-60 minutes to meld flavors.
- Portion the beef: Divide the ground beef into 4 equal parts to form the basis of each taco.
- Assemble the tortillas: Lay a tortilla on your work surface. Evenly spread one portion of ground beef over the entire surface, pressing slightly to form a thin layer.
- Season the beef: Sprinkle salt and pepper over the seasoned side of the beef layer.
- Heat the skillet: Place a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and lightly coat with oil.
- Cook the smash burger: Gently place the tortilla with the beef side down onto the hot skillet. Use a spatula to apply slight pressure for a few seconds, encouraging the beef to form a crispy, thin patty. Cook for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
- Flip and add cheese: Carefully flip the patty and immediately top it with a slice of cheese. Continue cooking for another 1-3 minutes until the cheese melts and the tortilla is crispy to your preference.
- Repeat: Remove the cooked taco from the skillet. Repeat the process for remaining tacos.
- Assemble tacos: Spread a generous layer of burger sauce onto each taco, then top with shredded lettuce, diced onions, dill pickle chips, and additional sauce if desired.
- Serve: Enjoy your smash burger tacos immediately while crispy and hot.
Notes
- The burger sauce can be made ahead of time; at least 30-60 minutes improves flavor as ingredients meld.
- Use fajita-sized tortillas (6 inches) for standard tacos, or street taco-sized tortillas for smaller tacos—expect around 8 tacos with smaller size.
- Adjust toppings to taste, adding extra pickles, onions, or lettuce as preferred.
- For easier cooking, a griddle works best to cook all at once; in a skillet, cook 1-2 tacos at a time.
- Leftover sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, covered.
- Feel free to replace American cheese with your favorite melting cheese, like cheddar or pepper jack.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco (about 150 grams)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
