Easy Smash Burger Tacos Recipe

Introduction

Easy Smash Burger Tacos are a delicious and quick way to enjoy classic smashed beef patties with a taco twist. Crispy edges, melty cheese, and flavorful toppings make this dish perfect for a casual meal that comes together in just 15 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (80/20 fat percentage)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 10 cracks fresh black pepper
• 6 (six-inch) flour tortillas (flour works best—they’re more absorbent and the meat sticks better)
• 6 slices muenster or provolone cheese
• Shredded lettuce, chopped white onion, and 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
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

1. Step 1: Add all burger sauce ingredients (mayonnaise, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, mustard, minced bread & butter pickles, pickle brine, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce) to a bowl and whisk to combine. Refrigerate until ready to use; sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance.
2. Step 2: Mix kosher salt and black pepper in a small bowl. Evenly distribute the seasoning over the top and bottom of the ground beef chunk or log. Divide the beef into six 2 1/2-ounce balls, handling the meat gently to avoid toughness. Place each ball on a plate and refrigerate until your cooking surface is preheated.
3. Step 3: Heat your flat top or griddle on high without oil until it is very hot—this is key for crispy, juicy beef.
4. Step 4: Place each beef ball on the hot surface and set a six-inch flour tortilla on top of each one.
5. Step 5: Using a smashing tool or spatula, press down firmly on each tortilla to smash the meat as thin as possible. Cook undisturbed for 1 minute, then press down firmly again on each tortilla to help render fat for crispy edges. Let cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 more minutes.
6. Step 6: Use a stiff spatula to carefully scrape under a patty and check for a browned, crispy crust. If not crispy, increase heat as needed. Once browned, flip each smash burger taco onto its tortilla side and cook for about 2 minutes to crisp the tortilla. Top each with a slice of cheese to melt as the tortilla crisps.
7. Step 7: Remove from the cooking surface and add burger sauce, shredded lettuce, chopped white onion, and dill pickle chips as toppings. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use flour tortillas for best results—they absorb the beef juices and crisp nicely.
• Try swapping muenster or provolone with cheddar or pepper jack for a different flavor.
• For extra heat, add sliced jalapeños or a drizzle of hot sauce with your toppings.
• Keep handling of the meat minimal to avoid dense burgers—gentle shaping is key.
• You can make the burger sauce ahead of time to let flavors meld and save prep time.

Storage

Store any leftover smash burger tacos unassembled in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm the patties and tortillas separately in a skillet over medium heat until heated through and crisp. Assemble with fresh toppings before serving for the best texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use another type of meat for these smash burger tacos?

Yes, ground turkey or chicken can be used, but since they are leaner, add a bit of oil or fat to keep the patties juicy and watch cooking time to avoid drying out.

Why do I need to smash the meat thinly?

Smashing creates a large, thin patty that crisps up beautifully, forming delicious caramelized edges and allowing the cheese and toppings to meld perfectly with every bite.

Easy Smash Burger Tacos Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 71 reviews

These Easy Smash Burger Tacos are a quick and flavorful twist on traditional tacos, featuring crispy, juicy smashed beef patties cooked right on the tortilla for unbeatable texture and taste. Perfect for a 15-minute meal, they’re topped with a tangy, homemade burger sauce, melted cheese, and fresh toppings like shredded lettuce, chopped onions, and pickle chips for that classic burger flavor in every bite.

• Author: Dylan
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Lunch
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Burger Patties

• 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

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

Toppings

• Shredded lettuce
• Chopped white onion
• Dill pickle chips

Instructions

1. Prepare Burger Sauce: Combine mayonnaise, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, mustard, minced bread & butter pickles, pickle brine, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl. Whisk until smooth and refrigerate until ready to use; this can be made up to 3 days in advance.
2. Season and Shape Beef: Mix kosher salt and black pepper in a bowl. Sprinkle evenly over both sides of the ground beef log. Divide the beef into 2 1/2 ounce balls, handling gently to avoid toughening the meat. Place the balls on a plate and refrigerate until the cooking surface is ready.
3. Preheat Flat Top Grill: Turn the flat top to high heat without oil and allow it to become extremely hot—hotter than you might expect. A scorching surface is key to achieving crispy, juicy beef patties.
4. Start Cooking Patties: Place each beef ball on the hot flat top and immediately set a six-inch flour tortilla on top.
5. Smash the Beef: Using a smashing tool, press down firmly on each tortilla to flatten the meat as thin as possible. Cook for 1 minute, then press down again to render fat from the edges. Continue cooking undisturbed for 2 to 3 more minutes to allow the patties to cook through completely.
6. Check and Flip Patties: Use a stiff steel spatula to scrape under a patty to check if it is browned and crispy. If not, increase the grill temperature. Once crispy and browned, flip each smash burger taco onto its tortilla side. Cook for another 2 minutes to crisp the tortilla while melting the cheese on top.
7. Assemble and Serve: Remove the tacos from the grill, add a slice of cheese to each, then top with prepared burger sauce, shredded lettuce, chopped white onion, and dill pickle chips. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

• For best results, use flour tortillas as they absorb the meat juices and help the beef stick better.
• Handle the beef gently to avoid tough meat; less handling leads to more tender patties.
• The flat top or griddle must be very hot to achieve deliciously crispy edges.
• You can make the burger sauce up to 3 days ahead and store it in the refrigerator.
• If you don’t have a smashing tool, use a sturdy spatula or the bottom of a flat pan to press down the patties.

Keywords: Smash Burger Tacos, Quick Tacos, Easy Burger Recipe, Flat Top Cooking, Crispy Burger, Taco Recipe