Smash Burger Tacos (Printable Version)
Smashed beef pressed into tortillas, topped with cheddar, pickles, and crisp lettuce for a flavorful handheld dinner.
# What You Need:
→ Burger Patties
01 - 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or 85/15 blend)
02 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Tacos
04 - 8 small flour tortillas
05 - 4 slices cheddar cheese or American cheese, halved
06 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional, for toasting)
→ Toppings
07 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
08 - 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
09 - 1 large tomato, thinly sliced
10 - 1/2 cup sliced pickles
11 - 1/4 cup burger sauce or mayonnaise
12 - Ketchup, to taste
13 - Yellow mustard, to taste
# How To Make It:
01 - Set a large cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and allow it to fully preheat.
02 - Divide the ground beef evenly into 8 balls, each weighing approximately 2 ounces. Shape loosely and set aside.
03 - Lay each tortilla flat and place one beef ball at the center. Using your palm or a spatula, flatten the beef evenly across most of the tortilla surface.
04 - Place the tortilla with the beef facing down onto the hot skillet. Firmly press the beef into a thin layer using a wide flat spatula. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
05 - Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the beef is deeply browned and crisp on the edges. Flip each portion so the tortilla is now in contact with the skillet. Immediately place a half-slice of cheddar cheese on top of the cooked beef.
06 - Cook for an additional minute to melt the cheese and lightly toast the tortilla. Remove from the skillet once the tortilla is golden and the cheese is melted.
07 - Continue cooking in batches until all tortilla-burger shells are complete, optionally adding more butter as needed for toasting.
08 - Layer each taco with shredded lettuce, sliced red onion, tomato, pickles, and your choice of burger sauce, ketchup, and mustard. Fold and serve immediately while hot.
# Helpful Hints:
01 -
- It transforms burger night into something handheld and extra satisfying—just wait for that first cheesy bite.
- If you like both burgers and tacos, every single topping is a choose-your-own adventure that never gets boring.
02 -
- If the skillet isn't truly hot before you start, your beef won't get those signature crispy bits—it'll just steam.
- Piling on too many toppings will turn your taco into a balancing act; keep it just loaded enough for one perfect bite.
03 -
- Let the beef come to room temperature before shaping for extra juicy patties that cook evenly.
- A metal spatula (not plastic) is key for smashing and flipping—anything flexible just won’t cut it.