Description
These Easy Smash Burger Tacos combine the crispy, juicy goodness of classic smash burgers with the convenience and fun of tacos. Using a super-hot flat top griddle, ground beef patties are smashed thin on tortillas, cooked until crispy on the edges, and topped with melted cheese, a tangy homemade burger sauce, and fresh toppings like shredded lettuce and pickles. Ready in just 15 minutes, this recipe offers a delicious, quick meal perfect for any casual lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Burger
- 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
Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Chopped white onion
- Dill pickle chips
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
- Make the Burger Sauce: Combine the mayonnaise, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, mustard, minced pickles, pickle brine, fresh black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl. Whisk thoroughly to blend all ingredients into a smooth sauce. Refrigerate until ready to use; the sauce can be made up to three days in advance for enhanced flavors.
- Prepare the Beef Balls: In a small bowl, mix the kosher salt and black pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning evenly over all sides of the ground beef. Gently divide the meat into six portions, rolling each into a 2 1/2 ounce ball. Handle the meat minimally to avoid toughness. Place the balls on a plate and refrigerate them briefly while you preheat your flat top griddle.
- Preheat the Flat Top Griddle: Turn your flat top griddle to high heat and leave it ungreased. Allow the cooking surface to become extremely hot—hotter than you might expect—to ensure the beef crisps nicely when cooked.
- Start Cooking the Smash Burgers: Place each beef ball on the hot griddle. Immediately place a six-inch flour tortilla on top of each ball. Using a smashing tool or heavy spatula, press down very firmly through the tortilla to smash the meat until it is as thin as possible.
- Brown the Patties: Let the smashed patties cook for 1 minute undisturbed. Then press down firmly once more on each tortilla to expel fat and help cook the edges. Allow the patties to cook undisturbed for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Given their thinness, this cooking time ensures the patties are fully cooked through.
- Check for Crispiness and Flip: Using a stiff steel spatula, scrape under one patty to check for a browned, crisp crust. If not browned enough, increase the griddle temperature. Once crispy, flip the smash burger tacos onto the tortilla side and cook for about 2 more minutes. This crisps up the tortilla, while allowing you to top each with a slice of cheese, which will melt during this final cooking.
- Assemble and Serve: Remove the smash burger tacos from the griddle. Add a generous spoonful of the prepared burger sauce on each taco, then top with shredded lettuce, chopped white onion, and dill pickle chips. Serve immediately and enjoy the combination of crispy, cheesy, and flavorful elements in this quick and satisfying taco meal.
Notes
- Use flour tortillas because their absorbent texture helps the meat stick better and crisps nicely on the griddle.
- Handle the ground beef gently to maintain tenderness; overworking the meat can make burgers tough.
- The flat top griddle must be very hot to achieve the signature crispy edges and a juicy interior.
- The burger sauce can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated up to 3 days.
- If you don’t have a smashing tool, use a sturdy spatula or a heavy, flat object to press down the meat through the tortilla.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially if you prefer less salt or spiciness in the sauce or meat.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Smash burger, burger tacos, quick dinner, easy tacos, crispy burger, flat top cooking
