Smash Burger Tacos (Printable Version)
Smashed beef pressed into toasted tortillas with melty cheddar, crisp edges and classic fixings for a playful weeknight meal.
# 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 freshly ground black pepper
→ Tacos
04 - 8 small flour tortillas
05 - 4 slices cheddar 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 ripe tomato, sliced
10 - 1/2 cup dill pickles, sliced
11 - 1/4 cup burger sauce or mayonnaise
12 - Ketchup, to taste
13 - Mustard, to taste
# How-To:
01 - Preheat a large cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat until hot.
02 - Divide ground beef into 8 equal portions and roll each into a ball, approximately 2 ounces each.
03 - On a work surface, place one tortilla flat and position one beef ball in the center. Press to flatten the meat into a thin layer, covering most of the tortilla using your hand or a spatula.
04 - Place the tortilla with beef side down onto the hot skillet. Press firmly with a large flat spatula to spread the beef. Season with a pinch of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
05 - Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until beef develops a deep brown crust and crispy edges. Flip so the tortilla is against the skillet; immediately top the beef with half a cheese slice. Allow cheese to melt as tortilla toasts, about 1 minute.
06 - Repeat the process with remaining tortilla and beef portions, adding butter to the skillet for enhanced flavor if desired.
07 - Top each taco with shredded lettuce, sliced red onion, tomato slices, pickles, and a drizzle of burger sauce, ketchup, or mustard as preferred. Fold and serve immediately.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- It’s the secret weeknight meal that makes everyone gather in the kitchen, wide-eyed from the irresistible smell.
- You get the best of both worlds: juicy, crispy burger edges and soft, warm tortillas layered with all your favorite toppings.
02 -
- One time I pressed the beef too hard and made holes—gentleness keeps the tortilla intact and catches all those juices.
- Melting cheese straight onto the hot beef is the game changer that fuses everything and holds the taco together.
03 -
- The first side needs to cook long enough for a deep crust but not too long to avoid overdone meat—watch the edges color for your cue.
- A single layer of cheese melts faster and gives the perfect creamy bite without overwhelming everything else.