Smash Burger Tacos
The viral smash burger taco mashup that took social media by storm — seasoned ground beef smashed thin and crispy on a skillet, then folded into a flour tortilla with melty American cheese, shredded lettuce, pickles, and a tangy special sauce. All the flavors of a classic smash burger, wrapped up in a handheld taco. Quick, fun, and absolutely addictive.
4 servings · Prep 15 min · Cook 20 min · Total 35 min
American · Tex Mex · Main Course · Lunch
Ingredients
Open in recipe scaler →Main
1 lb ground beef 80/20 fat ratio for best flavor and crispiness
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
0.75 tsp kosher salt
0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
4 slices American cheese
4 piece small flour tortillas 6-inch size
Special Sauce
0.33 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp yellow mustard
2 tbsp dill pickle relish
0.5 tsp white vinegar
Toppings
1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce finely shredded
0.5 cup dill pickle chips or sliced dill pickles
0.5 small white onion finely diced
Equipment
Stovetop
Mixing Bowl
Skillet
Cast Iron Skillet
Whisk
Plates
Spatula
Pan
Mixing Bowl (4 Quarts)
Cast Iron Skillet (10 Inch)
Instructions
- In a small #[Mixing Bowl], whisk together the @[Mayonnaise], @[Ketchup], @[Yellow Mustard], @[Dill Pickle Relish], and @[White Vinegar] until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Divide the @[Ground Beef] into 4 equal balls (about 4 oz each). Season each ball generously with @[Garlic Powder], @[Onion Powder], @[Salt], and @[Black Pepper] on all sides. Do not overwork the meat — keep the balls loose.
- Heat a large #[Cast Iron Skillet] over ^[high heat] until it is very hot and just beginning to smoke. Place one @[Flour Tortilla] flat in the pan, then immediately place a @[Ground Beef] ball in the center of the tortilla. Using a sturdy #[Spatula] or the bottom of a heavy pan, press and smash the @[Ground Beef] ball firmly and evenly across the tortilla until it covers most of the surface. Cook for ~[2–3 minutes] until the edges are deeply browned and crispy.
- Flip the tortilla-and-patty together in one motion. Immediately lay a slice of @[American Cheese] on top of the @[Ground Beef]. Cook for another ~[1–2 minutes] until the cheese is fully melted and the tortilla is lightly golden and slightly crisp on the bottom. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining @[Ground Beef] balls and @[Flour Tortillas].
- Spread a generous spoonful of special sauce over the melted cheese side of each smash burger taco. Top with a handful of shredded @[Iceberg Lettuce], a few @[Dill Pickle Chips], and diced @[White Onion] if using. Fold the taco in half like a traditional taco and serve immediately while hot and crispy.
