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Smash Burger Tacos Recipe

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4 from 12 reviews

These Smash Burger Tacos combine the juicy, crispy goodness of classic smashed burgers with the convenience and fun of tacos. Featuring a tangy, flavorful mayo-based pickle sauce, melted cheddar cheese, and fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and dill pickles, these tacos are a perfect blend of American burger flavors wrapped in soft tortillas. The patties are smashed thin on a hot griddle or cast iron skillet for a crispy, caramelized crust while staying juicy inside, making them delicious and satisfying for a quick weeknight meal or casual gathering.

Ingredients

Sauce

  • ⅓ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons chopped dill pickles or bread and butter pickles
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon soy sauce
  • Pinch of black pepper
  • 2-3 teaspoons pickle juice (to thin to desired consistency)

Burger Tacos

  • Cooking spray (or avocado oil for griddle)
  • 1 lb. Laura’s 92% Lean Ground Beef
  • ¾ teaspoon fine salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 6 (6-inch) flour tortillas
  • 6 slices cheddar cheese (or use American cheese, muenster, provolone, or gouda)
  • 2 cups thinly sliced romaine or iceberg lettuce
  • ½ cup diced tomatoes
  • ¼ cup finely diced white onion
  • 12-18 dill pickle slices

Instructions

  1. Make the sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, chopped pickles, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, soy sauce, and black pepper. Stir well to combine. Gradually add pickle juice, 1 teaspoon at a time, stirring until the sauce reaches a pourable consistency. Chill in the refrigerator while preparing the rest.
  2. Prepare toppings: Thinly slice the lettuce, dice the tomatoes and finely dice the white onion. Set these aside along with the pickle slices.
  3. Preheat oven and baking sheet: Preheat the oven to 250℉ and place a large rimmed baking sheet inside to keep cooked tacos warm.
  4. Shape the beef: Divide ground beef into six equal portions and gently form each into a ball. Season each meatball with salt and pepper on two sides.
  5. Heat skillet or griddle: Place a large cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat until it starts to smoke, indicating it is hot enough.
  6. Cook the burgers: Mist the skillet with cooking spray. Place one meatball on the skillet and immediately top it with a tortilla. Using a burger press or heavy spatula, press down firmly until the beef is flattened to about ¼ inch thickness.
  7. First side cooking: Cook for 4 minutes without moving it, allowing a crispy crust to form.
  8. Flip and add cheese: Use a thin spatula to loosen the meat from the skillet, then flip it over so the tortilla is now on the bottom. Place a slice of cheese on top of the meat and cook an additional 2 minutes, or until the cheese melts and the tortilla crisps up.
  9. Keep warm: Transfer the cooked burger taco to the preheated baking sheet in the oven to keep warm while cooking the remaining tacos.
  10. Repeat cooking: Repeat steps 6 through 9 for the remaining meatballs and tortillas, cooking and keeping warm in the oven.
  11. Assemble the tacos: To serve, top each warm burger taco with 2-3 pickle slices, a handful of lettuce, diced tomatoes, and diced onions. Drizzle about 1 tablespoon of the prepared sauce on each taco.
  12. Serve: Fold the tortillas over the fillings and serve immediately, enjoying the textural contrast of crispy edges with juicy smashed beef and fresh toppings.

Notes

  • Using a heavy spatula or burger press is key to achieving the ultra-thin crispy edges on your smash burgers.
  • If a cast iron skillet is not available, a flat-top griddle or non-stick pan can be used.
  • Adjust the heat to prevent burning; the burger should sizzle but not char excessively.
  • Feel free to substitute the cheese with your preferred melting cheese such as American, muenster, provolone, or gouda.
  • The sauce can be made a day ahead to deepen the flavors.
  • For a gluten-free option, substitute flour tortillas with corn tortillas.
  • Pickle juice amount can be adjusted to taste; add gradually to avoid thinning sauce too much.

Find it online: https://yumntasty.com/smash-burger-tacos-recipe/