Here’s a fun, crave-worthy Smashburger Taco recipe—crispy-edged beef, melty cheese, and all your favorite toppings wrapped in a grilled tortilla shell. Think of it as a juicy burger’s rebellious cousin that rolled up in taco form.
Smashburger Tacos Recipe
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Total Time: 30 min
What you need
For the Smashburger Tacos:
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for juicy results)
- 8 flour tortillas (fajita size)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 8 slices American cheese (or cheddar, if you prefer)
- Cooking spray or neutral oil (like canola)
Optional Toppings:
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Diced pickles or pickle chips
- Diced onions or caramelized onions
- Burger sauce (recipe below)
- Ketchup or mustard
Burger Sauce (optional but highly recommended):
- ¼ cup mayo
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp pickle juice
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
Mix all ingredients in a small bowl and chill until serving.
What you do:
- Portion the Beef:
Divide the ground beef into 8 equal balls (about 2 oz each). - Preheat the Pan:
Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Lightly oil it or spray with cooking spray. - Smash & Sear:
Place a tortilla on the hot pan. Immediately press a ball of beef onto the center of the tortilla and smash it thin with a spatula or burger press so it spreads out toward the tortilla edges. - Season & Cook:
Season with onion powder, salt, and pepper. Let it cook for about 1–3 minutes until the beef is nicely browned and the edges are crispy. - Flip & Melt Cheese:
Carefully flip the tortilla so the beef side is now down on the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until the beef is cooked through, then flip. Top the beef with a slice of cheese. Cook for another 30–60 seconds just to melt the cheese and crisp up the tortilla bottom slightly. - Build Your Tacos:
Remove from heat and add toppings—lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, and a drizzle of burger sauce. - Serve & Enjoy:
Fold in half like a taco and serve hot with fries or chips on the side.
Want to kick it up? Try using chipotle mayo, pepper jack cheese, or even a slice of grilled jalapeño for some heat 🔥
