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Smashed burger tacos resting in taco holder with crisp tortillas, seasoned beef, melted cheese, and classic toppings.
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5 from 3 votes

Smashed Burger Tacos

Smashed Burger Tacos are crispy, juicy, and loaded with classic burger flavors. Ground beef is smashed onto tortillas, cooked until golden, then topped with cheese, fresh toppings, and a Big Mac style sauce.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Keyword: smashed burger tacos, tacos recipe
Servings: 8
Calories: 423kcal
Author: Joanna Cismaru

Ingredients

For the Burger Filling

  • 1 pound ground beef 80/20 works best
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

For the Tacos

  • 8 small flour tortillas street-size
  • 1½ cups cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil divided

For the Toppings

  • 2 cups iceberg lettuce shredded
  • 1 cup tomatoes diced
  • 3 green onions sliced

For the Big Mac–Style Sauce

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a bowl, stir together ½ cup of mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 2 tablespoons of relish, 1 tablespoon of mustard, 1 teaspoon of vinegar, ½ teaspoon of paprika, ½ teaspoon of onion powder, and ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
    process shots showing how to make smashed burger tacos.
  • In a bowl, combine 1 pound of ground beef with 1 teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of black pepper, and ½ teaspoon of garlic powder. Mix gently and divide into 8 equal portions.
    process shots showing how to make smashed burger tacos.
  • Place the tortillas on a work surface. Press one portion of beef onto one side of each tortilla, spreading it thin and right to the edges.
    process shots showing how to make smashed burger tacos.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the tacos meat-side down and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, pressing gently with a spatula, until the beef is cooked through and deeply browned.
    process shots showing how to make smashed burger tacos.
  • Flip the tacos so the tortilla side is down. Sprinkle each taco with shredded cheddar cheese. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the tortilla is crisp and the cheese is fully melted.
    process shots showing how to make smashed burger tacos.
  • Remove from the skillet, and repeat with remaining tacos, adding the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil as needed.
  • Fill each taco with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and green onions. Drizzle generously with the Big Mac–style sauce and serve immediately.
    process shots showing how to make smashed burger tacos.

Video

Notes

  1. Ground beef with a bit of fat works best here. It cooks up juicier and gives you those nice crispy edges.
  2. Press the beef thin and all the way to the edges of the tortilla so everything cooks evenly.
  3. Don’t crowd the pan. Cooking in batches helps the beef brown instead of steaming.
  4. The sauce is even better if it sits for a bit in the fridge, but it’s still good if you’re in a hurry.
  5. These are best eaten right away while the tortillas are crispy and the cheese is melted.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 423kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 865mg | Potassium: 344mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 640IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 213mg | Iron: 3mg
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