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Easy Smash Burger Tacos 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.

Ingredients

Scale

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