Easy Smash Burger Tacos Recipe

Introduction

These Easy Smash Burger Tacos combine the juicy, crispy goodness of smash burgers with the convenience and flavor of soft flour tortillas. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or casual gathering, they offer a delicious twist on classic tacos with melty cheese and tangy toppings.

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
• 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 the 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 sprinkle this seasoning over the top and bottom of the ground beef.
3. Step 3: 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 while preheating your flat top griddle or skillet.
4. Step 4: Heat your flat top on high heat without any oil until it is very hot—this helps achieve that crispy crust on the burgers.
5. Step 5: Place each beef ball on the hot surface and immediately set a six-inch flour tortilla on top of each one. Using a smashing tool (or a spatula), press down firmly on the tortilla to flatten the meat as thin as possible.
6. Step 6: Cook the smashed patties for 1 minute, then press down firmly again to render some fat and crisp the edges. Let cook undisturbed for another 2 to 3 minutes until the patties are cooked through and crispy on the bottom.
7. Step 7: Use a stiff spatula to check if the burgers are nicely browned and crispy. If not, increase the heat slightly and wait until they achieve the desired crust. Flip the smash burger tacos so the tortilla side cooks on the griddle for about 2 minutes to crisp up, then add a slice of cheese on top to melt as the tortilla crisps.
8. Step 8: Remove the burgers from the griddle, spread burger sauce on each, and top with shredded lettuce, chopped onion, and dill pickle chips. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use flour tortillas rather than corn; they absorb flavors better and help the meat stick, creating a perfect crispy base.
• For extra smoky flavor, consider adding a dash of smoked paprika to the burger seasoning.
• If you don’t have a flat top griddle, a heavy cast iron skillet works well at high heat.
• Swap muenster or provolone cheese for cheddar or American cheese depending on your preference.
• Try adding sliced jalapeños or hot sauce for a spicy kick.

Storage

Store any leftover smash burger patties, sauce, and toppings separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat patties in a hot skillet to regain crispness, and warm tortillas briefly before assembling. It’s best to build tacos fresh to maintain texture and flavor.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?

Flour tortillas work best for this recipe because they’re more absorbent and help the meat stick better, creating the signature crispy edges. However, you can use corn tortillas if preferred; just be aware they may not crisp up as well.

What’s the best way to smash the burgers without a tool?

If you don’t have a smashing tool, use a heavy spatula or the bottom of a small sturdy pan. Place a piece of parchment paper between the tortilla and the smashing surface for easier pressing and less sticking.

Easy Smash Burger Tacos Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 109 reviews

These Easy Smash Burger Tacos combine crispy, juicy smashed beef patties with melty cheese and tangy burger sauce, all wrapped in soft flour tortillas. Ready in just 15 minutes, they offer a fun twist on classic burgers perfect for a quick, satisfying meal.

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

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Smash Burger Patties

• 1 pound ground beef (80/20 fat ratio)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 10 cracks fresh black pepper (divided)

Taco Components

• 6 (six-inch) flour tortillas
• 6 slices Muenster or Provolone cheese
• Shredded lettuce, for topping
• Chopped white onion, for topping
• Dill pickle chips, for topping

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

Instructions

1. Prepare Burger Sauce: Combine mayonnaise, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, mustard, minced bread & butter pickles, pickle brine, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl. Whisk well until all ingredients are fully incorporated. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. This sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance.
2. Season Ground Beef: In a bowl, mix kosher salt and some black pepper. Evenly sprinkle seasoning on both sides of the ground beef chunk or log. Divide the meat into six 2 1/2 ounce balls by rolling gently to avoid over-handling, which keeps the beef tender. Place the balls on a plate and refrigerate while you preheat the flat top griddle.
3. Preheat Flat Top: Turn your flat top griddle on to high heat without any added grease. Allow it to get extremely hot — hotter than you might think is necessary — to achieve that signature crispy, caramelized beef crust.
4. Start Cooking Patties: 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 on each tortilla to flatten the meat as thin as possible. Let cook for 1 minute undisturbed. Then press firmly again on each tortilla to render fat that will help crisp the edges. Allow the patties to cook undisturbed for another 2 to 3 minutes. Because the patties are very thin, this cooking time is sufficient to cook through the beef.
6. Check for Crispiness and Flip: Use a sturdy steel spatula to scrape beneath a patty to check for a browned, crispy crust. Being forceful will help release the patty from the surface if it sticks. If not browned, increase the griddle temperature (it should be very hot). Once crispy, flip each smash burger taco onto its tortilla side to cook for another 2 minutes, allowing the tortilla to crisp up. Top each with a slice of cheese, which will melt during this time.
7. Serve: Remove the tacos from the griddle. Add the prepared burger sauce, shredded lettuce, chopped onions, and dill pickle chips on top. Serve immediately and enjoy your crispy, juicy smash burger tacos!

Notes

• Use flour tortillas as they absorb the meat juices better and hold up well during smashing and cooking.
• Do not overwork the beef when forming balls to keep the patties tender.
• High heat is critical to achieve the crispy edges and juicy center of the smash burger.
• Pressing the patties twice helps render fat and develop better crust.
• Burger sauce can be prepared in advance and stored refrigerated for up to 3 days.
• Adjust toppings to personal preference; additional pickles or hot sauce can be added.

Keywords: smash burger, burger tacos, quick dinner, ground beef recipe, crispy burger, tacos with cheese, easy meal