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- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend for juiciness) - 8 small corn tortillas - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese - 1/2 cup lettuce, shredded - 1 tomato, diced - 1/4 cup pickles, sliced - 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped The main star is the ground beef. I love using an 80/20 blend. This gives a juicy bite. The corn tortillas add a nice crunch. They hold all the goodness inside. Cheddar cheese melts beautifully on the patty. Fresh toppings like lettuce and tomato bring balance. Pickles and onions add a nice kick. - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise - 2 tablespoons ketchup - 1 tablespoon mustard Condiments are key to a great taste. I mix mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard for my sauce. It’s creamy and tangy. This sauce pairs well with the beef. It also adds moisture to the tacos. - Salt and pepper to taste - Cooking oil (for frying) Seasoning is essential for flavor. I use simple salt and pepper for the beef. They enhance the taste without overpowering it. A little cooking oil is needed to fry the patties. It helps create a nice crust when smashing the beef. {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by getting your toppings ready. Shred the lettuce into thin strips. Dice the tomato into small pieces. Slice the pickles into rounds. Finally, chop the onion finely. Set all these aside in small bowls. This way, you can grab them easily when you build your tacos. Next, let’s make the burger sauce. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, and 1 tablespoon of mustard. Mix them well until they blend into a smooth sauce. This sauce adds a nice tangy flavor to your tacos. Now, heat a skillet or griddle over high heat. Add a small amount of cooking oil to the pan. Take about a handful of ground beef and shape it into a loose ball, about 4 ounces. When the pan is hot, place the beef ball in the skillet. Use a spatula to press it down firmly to flatten it. Season the beef with salt and pepper. Cook for about 2-3 minutes until a crust forms on the bottom. Once your beef patties are ready, it’s time to assemble the tacos. Place each cooked patty on a warmed corn tortilla. Start layering your toppings. Add shredded lettuce, diced tomato, onion, and pickles on top of the beef. Finally, drizzle the burger sauce over everything. Fold the tortillas over the fillings carefully, and your smash burger tacos are ready to enjoy! To get the best smash burger, you need high heat. Heat your skillet until it’s really hot. This helps create a nice crust. Use a little cooking oil to prevent sticking. When you form the beef into a ball, make sure it is loose. This keeps the burger juicy. Smash the ball down firmly with a spatula. Press down hard to flatten it. Season with salt and pepper right away. Cook for 2-3 minutes without moving it. Wait for that golden crust to form. Flip it and add cheese immediately. That way, it melts perfectly. You can add more flavor to your burger. Try using garlic powder or onion powder. A little paprika can give it a nice kick. If you like heat, add cayenne pepper. These spices mix well with the beef. You can also season the beef before cooking. Just remember to use salt and pepper too. Make your tacos look great on the plate. Serve them on a wooden platter for a rustic feel. Add extra sauce on the side for dipping. This makes it fun for everyone. A sprinkle of fresh cilantro can add color. Lime wedges are great too. They add freshness and zest. Pro Tips Use High-Quality Beef: Choosing an 80/20 blend of ground beef ensures your burgers are juicy and flavorful. Avoid leaner blends to maintain the desired moisture. Perfectly Smash: When smashing the burger, apply firm and even pressure to create a nice crust. This enhances the flavor through the Maillard reaction. Cheese Melting Tip: Covering the skillet after flipping the burger helps the cheese melt perfectly, resulting in a gooey, delicious topping. Warm Tortillas: Warming the tortillas before assembling the tacos makes them more pliable and prevents them from tearing, ensuring a better taco experience. {{image_2}} You can switch up the meat in your smash burger tacos. Ground turkey is a great choice if you want something leaner. It keeps the dish light but still tasty. If you're looking for plant-based options, try using lentils or black beans. Both can give you a hearty and satisfying bite. Just mash them well and season as you would meat. Cheese makes everything better, right? While cheddar is classic, you can get creative! Try pepper jack for a spicy kick. You could also use mozzarella for a milder taste. Another fun option is crumbled blue cheese for a bold flavor. Each cheese adds its own special twist to your tacos. Toppings can make your tacos shine! Jalapeños add heat and crunch. Avocado brings creaminess that balances flavors. You can also throw in some corn for sweetness or fresh cilantro for a herby touch. Don’t forget about salsa or guacamole for extra flavor. Mix and match until you find your perfect combo! Store your leftover smash burger tacos in an airtight container. This keeps them fresh. Place the tacos in the fridge. They can last for 2 to 3 days. If you have cooked beef patties, store them separately. This helps keep the tortillas from getting soggy. To reheat tacos, use an oven or skillet. This method helps keep the texture. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the tacos in foil and heat for 10 minutes. If using a skillet, add a little oil and heat over medium. Warm each side for about 2 minutes. Check to make sure they are hot inside. You can freeze both cooked fillings and raw patties. For cooked fillings, let them cool first. Place them in a freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. They can last for up to 3 months. For raw patties, form them and freeze on a baking sheet. Once firm, transfer them to a bag. This method keeps them from sticking together. For smash burger tacos, I recommend using an 80/20 blend of ground beef. This blend has 80% lean meat and 20% fat. The fat gives the beef great flavor and juiciness. When you smash the beef in the pan, the fat helps form a tasty crust. You can also try blends like 85/15, but keep the fat content high for the best taste. Yes, you can prepare some parts ahead of time. You can cook the beef patties and store them in the fridge. Just keep them in an airtight container. You can also chop the toppings, like lettuce and tomatoes, a few hours before. Just store them in the fridge. When you are ready to eat, warm the beef and tortillas, and assemble your tacos. The best toppings for smash burger tacos include: - Shredded lettuce - Diced tomatoes - Sliced pickles - Chopped onions You can also add other fun toppings, like jalapeños for heat or avocado for creaminess. Some people love to add hot sauce or extra cheese for more flavor. Feel free to mix and match your favorites! This guide covered the key ingredients and steps for making smash burger tacos. You learned about necessary condiments, seasonings, and helpful tips. Variations on meat, cheese, and toppings let you get creative. Don't forget the best practices for storage and reheating. Now, you can enjoy these tasty tacos any time. Dive in and experiment with flavors that excite you.

Smash Burger Tacos

Delicious tacos filled with juicy smash burgers and fresh toppings.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 500 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend for juiciness)
  • 8 small corn tortillas
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup lettuce, shredded
  • 1 whole tomato, diced
  • 1/4 cup pickles, sliced
  • 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon mustard
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • as needed cooking oil (for frying)

Instructions
 

  • Prepare Your Toppings: Begin by gathering your toppings: shred the lettuce, dice the tomato, slice pickles, and finely chop the onion. Set these aside.
  • Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard until well combined. Set aside.
  • Cook the Beef: Heat a skillet or griddle over high heat. Add a little cooking oil to the pan. Take about a handful of the ground beef and form it into a loose ball (around 4 oz).
  • Smash the Burger: When the pan is hot, place the beef ball in the skillet and firmly press down with a spatula to flatten it. Season with salt and pepper. Let it cook for about 2-3 minutes until a nice crust forms.
  • Flip and Add Cheese: Flip the patty, allowing it to cook for another 1-2 minutes. Immediately sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top and cover the skillet for a minute to melt the cheese.
  • Warm the Tortillas: While the burgers cook, warm the corn tortillas on a separate skillet for about 30 seconds on each side until pliable.
  • Assemble the Tacos: Once the beef patties are ready, place each one on a warmed tortilla. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomato, onion, and pickles. Drizzle the sauce over the top.
  • Serve: Fold the tortillas over the fillings to create your tacos. Serve immediately while still warm.

Notes

Serve the tacos on a wooden platter with extra sauce on the side for dipping, and garnish with fresh cilantro or lime wedges for a pop of color.
Keyword burgers, easy recipe, tacos