Easy Smash Burger Tacos Recipe

Introduction

These Easy Smash Burger Tacos combine the juicy, crispy goodness of smash burgers with the convenience of soft flour tortillas. Ready in just 15 minutes, they make a perfect quick meal for family and friends, packed with flavorful toppings and a tangy burger sauce.

Ingredients

• 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
• Shredded lettuce
• Chopped white onion (optional)
• 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 (for sauce)
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, mustard, minced pickles, pickle brine, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce to make the burger sauce. Refrigerate until ready to use. The sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance.
2. Step 2: Mix the kosher salt and black pepper in a small bowl. Evenly distribute the seasoning over all sides of the ground beef. Divide the beef into six 2 1/2 ounce balls, handling the meat gently to avoid toughness. Place the balls on a plate and refrigerate until ready to cook.
3. Step 3: Preheat a flat top or heavy skillet over high heat without oil until it is very hot—hot enough to produce a good sear and crispy edges.
4. Step 4: Place a beef ball on the hot surface and immediately set a six-inch flour tortilla on top of it.
5. Step 5: Using a heavy spatula or smashing tool, press firmly down on the tortilla to smash the beef as thin as possible. Cook for 1 minute, then press down again to release some fat for crispiness. Let cook undisturbed for another 2 to 3 minutes until the patty is cooked through and crispy around the edges.
6. Step 6: Use a stiff spatula to check for a browned, crispy crust underneath the burger. If not, increase the heat. Once crispy, flip the smash burger taco so it rests on its tortilla side. Cook for about 2 minutes to crisp the tortilla and melt the cheese placed on top.
7. Step 7: Remove from heat, add burger sauce and desired toppings such as shredded lettuce, chopped onion, and dill pickle chips. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use flour tortillas as they absorb the meat juices better and hold together well when smashed.
• For extra flavor, add a dash of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to the beef seasoning.
• Swap muenster or provolone cheese with cheddar or pepper jack for different cheese flavors.
• Less handling of the meat balls helps keep the burgers tender and juicy.
• If you don’t have a flat top, use a cast iron skillet heated over high heat for similar results.

Storage

Store leftover burger patties and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat patties gently in a skillet over medium heat to maintain crispiness. Tortillas are best served fresh but can be warmed briefly in a pan or microwave. Assemble tacos just before serving to keep the tortillas from sogging.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different meat for smash burger tacos?

Yes, ground turkey or chicken can be used, but they will be less juicy and may require careful cooking to avoid drying out. Beef with 80/20 fat ratio works best for flavor and texture.

How do I prevent the patties from sticking to the cooking surface?

Make sure your flat top or skillet is very hot before adding the meat and avoid moving the patties during the initial cooking phase. A well-seasoned or lightly oiled surface can also help reduce sticking.

Easy Smash Burger Tacos Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 64 reviews

Easy Smash Burger Tacos are a quick and delicious twist on classic tacos, featuring thin, crispy smashed beef patties cooked on a piping hot flat top grill, topped with melty cheese, fresh toppings, and a tangy homemade burger sauce. Perfect for a speedy weeknight dinner or casual gathering, these tacos combine the juicy flavor of smash burgers with the convenience of handheld tacos.

• Author: Ella
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Burger

• 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: Add all burger sauce ingredients to a bowl and whisk together until fully combined. Refrigerate the sauce until ready to use; it can be made up to 3 days in advance.
2. Season and Shape Beef: Mix the kosher salt and black pepper in a small bowl. Evenly distribute this seasoning over the top and bottom of the ground beef. Divide the beef into six 2 1/2 ounce balls, rolling gently to avoid toughening the meat. Place each ball on a plate and refrigerate until the flat top grill is preheated.
3. Preheat Flat Top Grill: Turn the flat top grill to high heat without adding grease, and allow it to become very hot—hotter than you expect. This high temperature is crucial for achieving crispy, juicy beef patties.
4. Place Beef and Tortillas: Place each beef ball on the hot flat top and immediately set a six-inch flour tortilla on top of each ball.
5. Smash the Patties: Using a smashing tool, press down very firmly onto each tortilla to smash the meat as thinly as possible. Let the patties cook for 1 minute, then press down again to squeeze out some fat, allowing the edges to cook in the rendered fat. Let them cook undisturbed for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Because the patties are very thin, this cooking time ensures they are cooked through.
6. Check and Flip Patties: Use a stiff steel spatula to scrape underneath a burger and check for a brown and crispy crust. If not crispy, increase the grill temperature. When browned and crispy, flip each smash burger taco onto its tortilla side, and let cook for about 2 minutes to crisp the tortilla. Top with a slice of cheese so it melts during this time.
7. Assemble and Serve: Remove the cooked smash burger tacos from the grill. Add a generous amount of the prepared burger sauce and top with shredded lettuce, chopped white onion, and dill pickle chips. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

• Use flour tortillas rather than corn tortillas, as flour tortillas absorb the meat’s juices better and help the meat stick.
• Handle the ground beef gently and avoid overworking it to keep patties tender.
• Make sure the flat top grill is extremely hot to achieve the signature crispy edges and bottom crust of a smash burger.
• The smashing tool and stiff steel spatula are key tools for proper forming and flipping of the patties.
• The burger sauce can be made ahead and stored refrigerated for up to three days.

Keywords: smash burger tacos, quick tacos, easy dinner, smashed beef patties, homemade burger sauce, flat top grill tacos