Crispy Beef Blackstone Smash Taco (Printable Version)
Juicy smashed beef patties with crisp shells and melted cheese on a Blackstone griddle.
# What You Need:
→ Beef Patties
01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 fat ratio recommended)
02 - 1 tsp salt
03 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
04 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
→ Cheese Blend
06 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
07 - 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
→ Taco Shells
08 - 8 small flour or corn tortillas
→ Fresh Toppings
09 - 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
10 - 1/2 cup chopped lettuce
11 - 1/4 cup diced red onion
12 - 1/4 cup sour cream
13 - 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
14 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
→ Cooking Fat
15 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil or melted butter
# How-To:
01 - Preheat Blackstone griddle or large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the surface to prevent sticking.
02 - Divide ground beef into 8 equal balls, approximately 2 oz each, ensuring uniform sizing for even cooking.
03 - Season each beef ball generously with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder, coating all sides.
04 - Place tortilla on hot griddle. Immediately mound shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack blend in center of tortilla.
05 - Place seasoned beef ball atop cheese mound. Using sturdy metal spatula or burger press, smash firmly to spread beef thinly over melted cheese and tortilla surface.
06 - Cook for 2-3 minutes until beef develops crispy caramelized edges and cheese becomes golden and bubbling beneath.
07 - Quickly flip entire assembly using spatula. Cook tortilla side for 1-2 minutes until crispy and golden brown.
08 - Transfer completed tacos to serving platter, allowing brief cooling period to set cheese structure.
09 - Top each taco immediately with chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño slices, fresh cilantro, and sour cream dollop.
10 - Serve tacos hot while cheese remains melted and tortilla maintains optimal crispness.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The contrast between crispy smashed beef and warm gooey cheese creates texture in every single bite
- Cooking everything on one griddle means less cleanup and more time eating with people you love
02 -
- Press the beef firmly but not so hard that it tears through the tortilla underneath
- The cheese needs to hit the griddle directly against the tortilla so it melts into a crispy layer
03 -
- Let the beef come to room temperature for 10 minutes before cooking so it spreads evenly when smashed
- Sprinkle a pinch of cheese directly onto the griddle before placing each tortilla for extra crispy edges