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Viral Smashburger Taco

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.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

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
  • Cooking spray or neutral oil (like canola)
Optional Toppings
  • 8 slices American cheese (or cheddar, if you prefer)
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Diced pickles or pickle chips
  • Diced onions or caramelized onions
  • Burger sauce (recipe below)
  • Ketchup or mustard
Burger Sauce
  • 1/4 cup mayo
  • 1 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tsp pickle juice
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • Mix all ingredients in a small bowl and chill until serving.

Method
 

What you do:

  1. Portion the Beef:Divide the ground beef into 8 equal balls (about 2 oz each).
  2. Preheat the Pan: Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Lightly oil it or spray with cooking spray.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Build Your Tacos:Remove from heat and add toppings - lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, and a drizzle of burger sauce.
  7. Serve & Enjoy:Fold in half like a taco and serve hot with fries or chips on the side.

Notes

Want to kick it up? Try using chipotle mayo, pepper jack cheese, or even a slice of grilled jalapeño for some heat