Smashed Burger Tacos: The Ultimate Recipe for Busy Weeknights
If you’ve ever had a hard time choosing between burgers and tacos, this recipe is the answer. These Smashed Burger Tacos bring the best of both worlds together in one crispy, savory, handheld bite. Thin beef patties are smashed directly onto tortillas and cooked until golden, then topped with all your favorite burger fixings. They’re fast, fun, and seriously delicious.
Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for weeknights, casual get-togethers, or anytime you want something different but satisfying.
If you’re on food TikTok, chances are you’ve seen the smash burger tacos or even the Big Mac smashed burger tacos trend blowing up your feed. And for good reason: this smash burger taco recipe delivers the crispy, juicy goodness of a burger with the portability and fun of taco night.
What makes these tacos so irresistible? A thin patty of seasoned beef is pressed directly onto a tortilla and cooked on a hot griddle or cast iron skillet until golden brown. Top with melty cheese, crisp iceberg lettuce, dill pickles, and a drizzle of homemade burger sauce or even a tangy Big Mac-style sauce, and you’ve got a viral-worthy meal your whole family will devour.
This recipe is easy to customize—use lean ground beef, ground turkey, or your favorite meat mixture. Perfect for weeknights, cookouts, or when you’re craving something fun and full of maximum flavor.
Easy smash burger tacos recipe
Serves 8
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 recommended)
- 8 small flour tortillas
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon oil or nonstick spray
- Toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, pickles, shredded cheese, ketchup, mustard, mayo
Instructions
- Preheat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and lightly grease it with oil or nonstick spray.
- Divide the ground beef into 8 equal balls.
- Place a tortilla on a flat surface, set a beef ball in the center, and flatten it thinly onto the tortilla using your hands or the bottom of a plate.
- Season each smashed patty side with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Transfer each tortilla, beef side down, onto the hot skillet. Press down gently with a spatula and cook for 2-3 minutes until the beef is browned and crispy.
- Flip carefully and cook another 1-2 minutes to warm and lightly toast the tortilla.
- Remove from heat and top immediately with cheese, if using, so it melts slightly.
- Assemble with your favorite toppings and serve warm.
Smashed Burger Tacos
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and lightly grease it with oil or nonstick spray.
- Divide the ground beef into 8 equal balls.
- Place a tortilla on a flat surface, set a beef ball in the center, and flatten it thinly onto the tortilla using your hands or the bottom of a plate.
- Season each smashed patty side with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Transfer each tortilla, beef side down, onto the hot skillet. Press down gently with a spatula and cook for 2-3 minutes until the beef is browned and crispy.
- Flip carefully and cook another 1-2 minutes to warm and lightly toast the tortilla.
- Remove from heat and top immediately with cheese, if using, so it melts slightly.
- Assemble with your favorite toppings and serve warm.
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Homemade burger sauce (optional but delicious)
Combine the following in a small bowl:
- 2 tablespoons mayo
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon pickle juice or finely chopped pickles
- Dash of Worcestershire sauce
Stir to blend. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Recipe tips for best results
- Use lean ground beef for a healthier dish or switch to ground turkey for a lighter twist.
- Press patties thinly for those signature crispy tortilla edges.
- Try whole-wheat flour tortillas for added fiber.
- Want different flavors next time? Try chipotle mayo, BBQ sauce, mango guacamole or sliced avocado.
- Store leftover tacos in foil and reheat in a skillet for crispy texture.
Why this recipe works
It’s everything you love about a smashburger with the fun of a taco. The juicy beef patty, melted cheese, and crisp tortilla combine for a satisfying crunch in every bite. Whether you call them smash tacos, taco burgers, or Big Mac tacos, this recipe is one of the best things to hit your dinner table—and your social media feed.
So if it’s your first time trying smash burger tacos, welcome to your new obsession.
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