Smash Burger Tacos

I’m not someone who abides by strict food rules. I love scooping chunky salsa with saltine crackers just as much as tortilla chips (it’s a great combination). And I believe the best way to top a graham cracker is with a thin smear of salted butter. So, when I saw the viral smash burger tacos recipe, I appreciated the slightly out-of-the-box construction that bridges taco night recipes and burger recipes and knew it would be a delicious mash-up.

In a classic smash burger, a small ball of ground beef is firmly pressed and quickly seared until thin and well-browned with uneven, delightfully craggy edges. But it’s easy for the patty to get overwhelmed in a big soft bun, and a lettuce-wrap burger doesn’t always satisfy the same way. In this recipe, a small flour tortilla does more than replace the bun—it’s smashed and cooked with the meat, soaking up the flavorful juices of the burger, so the toasted tortilla and meat unify, even when folded into a taco. Set out a bowl of the accompanying burger sauce and all the toppings, and try smash burger tacos on your next Taco Tuesday or any night of the week.

Ingredients for Smash Burger Tacos

• Sauce: To enhance the burger part of this smash burger taco recipe, the meat is topped with a tangy, creamy sauce made from mayonnaise, ketchup, chopped dill pickle and yellow mustard, and seasoned with garlic and onion powder, salt and pepper. It’s not quite In-N-Out sauce, but close.
• Mini flour tortillas: For the best smash burger taco, the flattened meat should be about the same size as the tortilla to promote uniform cooking and easy flipping. This recipe uses street taco-size tortillas, which are about 6 inches in diameter. They are easy to find at grocery stores, nestled among the other tortilla varieties, or you can make homemade tortillas, rolling them to the same diameter.
• Ground beef: The percentage on a package of ground beef refers to the ratio of lean meat to beef fat. Different ground beef recipes benefit from a blend with more fat, like 80% lean, or less fat, like the 90% ground beef in this recipe. Because the tortillas cook on top of the beef and absorb the juices and rendered fat, using leaner meat creates juicy but not greasy smash burger tacos.
• Salt and pepper: The beef is seasoned simply with salt and pepper, like many top burger recipes, so the flavor of the well-browned meat stands out while being versatile enough to pair with a range of toppings.
• American cheese: American cheese may not technically be real cheese because it’s processed, but it also creates a creamy, hard-to-beat, meltable slice that blankets the beef patty.
• Toppings: Whether you consider this more of a burger or a taco, you can’t forget about toppings. This recipe suggests classic burger additions like shredded lettuce, sliced sweet pickles and finely chopped onion and tomatoes.

Directions

Step 1: Make the sauce

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In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, dill pickle, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Editor’s Tip: This sauce tastes even better as it sits, so feel free to make it earlier in the day or even the day before.

Step 2: Prepare the beef patties

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Season the ground beef with salt and pepper.

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Divide the ground beef into eight equal-sized balls.

Editor’s Tip: No need to roll the meat into an even round, like a meatball, because loosely shaped meat will flatten more easily and create those signature smash burger crispy edges.

Step 3: Cook the tacos

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Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, place one portion of ground beef in the skillet. Immediately top with a tortilla and press down with a burger press or flat spatula until the beef is 1/4-inch-thick. Cook until the beef gets brown and crisp, one to two minutes.

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Flip the tortilla and top with one slice of cheese. Cover and cook until the tortilla is browned, about one minute longer. Repeat with the remaining tacos.

Step 4: Add the sauce and toppings

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Serve the tacos immediately with the prepared sauce. Top with lettuce, pickles, onion, and if desired, tomatoes.

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Smash Burger Tacos Variations

• Spice up the beef: For a bolder flavor, sprinkle the meat with homemade taco seasoning or a steak seasoning blend before adding it to the skillet.
• Try a different cheese: If American isn’t your favorite, choose another good melting cheese, either grated or sliced, so it covers the meat and won’t fall out when the tortilla is folded.
• Make it a bacon burger taco: Crumble some crispy bacon over the melted cheese for an extra hearty taco. Cooking bacon in the oven is an easy, hands-off method, and if you pop it in before starting the tacos, it will be ready by the time the tacos are cooked.
• Have fun with different toppings: This recipe suggests a few classic burger toppings, but feel free to branch out into other favorites like caramelized onions and sauteed mushrooms. You can also make it more of a taco smash burger and add pickled jalapenos, salsa or guacamole.

How to Store Smash Burger Tacos

This smash burger taco recipe is best when hot and fresh with a crisp tortilla and juicy meat. But if you have leftovers, store them in the refrigerator wrapped in aluminum foil or sealed in a food storage container or resealable bag.

How long do smash burger tacos last?

Once a smash burger taco has been sauced and topped, eat it that day, but the different components last for varying lengths of time if you keep them separate. In general, leftovers last for three to four days in the refrigerator, which includes the burger sauce, cooked tacos, and extra shredded lettuce and chopped onion. Once cut, store fresh tomatoes in the fridge for one to two days.

How do you reheat smash burger tacos?

To bring back the crisp exterior of the tortilla, reheat a smash burger taco in an oven, skillet or air fryer. Use medium heat on the stovetop or a moderate oven temperature, around 350ºF, so the beef heats through without drying out and the tortilla doesn’t burn, flipping occasionally to crisp both sides.

Smash Burger Taco Tips

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What’s the best tool to flatten smash burgers?

Flattening the meat into a very thin, even patty requires firm pressing, so use a sturdy, thick metal spatula or burger press rather than a flexible silicone one that will bend back when you apply pressure. Using two metal spatulas crossed over each other like an ‘x’ makes the task even faster and easier since you press with both hands instead of just one.

What should you serve with smash burger tacos?

Like any good burger, it’s hard to go wrong with a big plate of homemade French fries alongside smash burger tacos. But other delicious burger sides that aren’t fries, like a fresh salad or grilled vegetables, will keep the meal lighter. Try Mexican side dishes like cilantro-flecked rice, cheesy corn, beans or fresh salsa and chips to lean into the taco side of this mash-up.

Why aren’t my smash burger tacos crisp?

In any smash burger tacos recipe, you can expect some juicy drips and the need for a few napkins, but that doesn’t mean the taco should be soggy or wet. Before adding the meat, thoroughly preheat the skillet so that the burger sears and browns rather than steams, which releases excessive liquid for the tortilla to absorb. After flipping, cook the tortilla until nicely toasted but not burnt, using a spatula to lift an edge and check underneath. Everyone’s equipment is different, so don’t hesitate to adjust the heat and timing to achieve the correct textures.

Can I use a corn tortilla instead of a flour tortilla?

If you prefer corn tortillas or need a gluten-free option, you can use a white or yellow corn tortilla in this recipe. Though not as sturdy or absorbent as a flour tortilla, the cooking process will be the same. However, toasted corn tortillas are more likely to fall apart, so be ready to eat them as soon as possible.