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The Easiest Smash Burger Taco Recipe

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Get the best of both worlds with this easy smash burger taco recipe! If tacos and burgers had a baby, this would be it – think juicy, crispy-edged beef patties and gooey, melty cheese smashed right into soft, golden tortillas, then topped with fresh veggies and a delicious creamy sauce. Easily adaptable to any diet, these tacos are the ultimate comfort food fix you didnโ€™t know you needed.

Two smash burger tacos filled with lettuce, beef, and a creamy sauce, are displayed in a white taco holder on a marble surface.

Tacos? Yes please! I love tacos a lot and if youโ€™ve been following my blog, you know Iโ€™ve shared a number of unique variations here like beef heart tacos, ground beef taco skillet, and slow cooker taco soup.

One of my absolute favorite recipes to date is smash burger taco. Itโ€™s like enjoying Taco Tuesday and burger night all in one delicious dish!

Itโ€™s easy as it is tasty, and I love how you can easily make it your own to adapt to your diet and lifestyle. Smash burger tacos are perfect for busy weeknights, game day spreads, weekend cravings, or whenever you need a low-effort, high-reward dish to impress family and friends. Once you try these, regular tacos and burgers just wonโ€™t cut it.

A hand holding a folded smash burger taco filled with ground beef, shredded lettuce, and sauce in a crispy taco shell.

Why Youโ€™ll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy: Ready with just a handful of basic, affordable ingredients you probably already have at home.
  • Comfort food win
  • Easy cleanup: These are made right on the stovetop – no grill or fryer needed – so cleanup is a breeze.
  • Adaptable: From tortillas to toppings, you can easily tweak this recipe to suit your mood, diet, or what you have on hand.
  • Made for a crowd: A batch serves a crowd, great for family dinners or a small group. Easily double the recipe to serve more!
  • Fun to serve: These are a conversation starter – perfect for casual entertaining or shaking up your meal routine.
Two smashed burger tacos filled with ground beef, shredded lettuce, chopped onions, and creamy sauce in a white taco holder on a marble surface.

How to Make Smash Burger Taco

Experience a fun twist on smash burgers with this easy from-scratch recipe! The process is pretty straightforward: just prep and cook the burger patties, whip up the sauce, assemble the tacos, and serve. Itโ€™s a crave-worthy, comforting dinner you can make in less than an hour!

Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.

Ingredients You Need

A smash burger taco labeled ingredients on a white marble surface.

For the smash burgers:

  • Ground beef: I like using 80/20 ground beef because the fat content gives you that perfect balance of crispy edges and juicy centers.
  • Salt and ground black pepper
  • Small tortillas: Use whatever tortillas you like or have on hand: corn, flour, or a low-carb option.
  • Mozzarella cheese: I recommend shredding the cheese yourself because it melts better compared to the pre-shredded kind.
  • Cooking oil

For the sauce:

  • Mayonnaise: Store-bought for ease, but you can also make classic homemade mayo by blending an egg yolk with a neutral oil for a fresher, more natural taste.
  • Dill pickle relish: Drain excess liquid to prevent a runny sauce.
  • Dijon mustard: Dijon works great on its own, but mixing in some coarse grain mustard adds extra depth of flavor and a nice bit of texture.
  • White vinegar
  • Spices and seasonings: We will use paprika powder, onion powder and garlic powder.

For toppings:

  • Iceberg lettuce: Iceberg is the classic choice for burgers, but feel free to use your favorite.
  • Onions

Step-By-Step Instructions

Making a hearty, trend-worthy dinner has never been this easy. Follow 5 simple steps and you can start enjoying these lip-smacking delicious smash burger tacos!

Step 1: Make the patties

Season the ground beef with salt and pepper. Then, divide it into 8 equal portions and shape them into balls. Arrange each meatball over a tortilla and use your fingers to flatten it out into a thin patty that covers most of the tortillaโ€™s surface.

Step 2: Cook the burgers

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and add a small amount of cooking oil to prevent sticking. Next, place a tortilla in the skillet with the meat side down. Cook the burger on one side for about 2 minutes until the beef begins to brown.

Step 3: Add the cheese

Flip the tortilla and burger over and immediately sprinkle a portion of shredded mozzarella cheese over the cooking beef patty. Cover with a lid and continue cooking for another 2 minutes or until the burger is cooked to your desired level of doneness and cheese is melted.

Remove the smash burger from the skillet and set it aside. Repeat this process with the remaining meat and tortilla pairs.

Step 4: Whip up the sauce

Combine all of the sauce ingredients in a bowl. Mix well, then set the sauce aside.

Step 5: Assemble and serve

Once all are cooked, assemble the tacos by layering onion, sauce, and lettuce over the cooked meat and cheese. Fold the tortilla in half, creating a taco shape and serve immediately.

Substitutions

This recipe requires pantry staples, but is still super easy to adapt to what you want or need, so no worries if youโ€™re missing an ingredient or two. Here are my recommended substitutions!

  • Ground beef: Use ground turkey or chicken.
  • Small tortillas: Feel free to use store-bought low-carb or keto tortillas if thatโ€™s what you prefer. Cauliflower tortillas or keto-friendly flatbreads also work great and still deliver on flavor.
  • Mozzarella cheese: Substitute with low-fat mozzarella, cheddar, or Colby Jack.
  • Mayonnaise: Use Greek yogurt for a tangier, higher-protein alternative or chipotle mayo for a spicy kick!
  • Dill pickle relish: Replace with finely chopped pickles, cornichons, or fermented cucumber relish.
  • Dijon mustard: Use yellow mustard for a milder flavor or spicy brown mustard for more flavor.
  • White vinegar: Apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and rice vinegar are good swaps.
Two smash burger taco filled with ground beef, shredded lettuce, chopped onions, and a creamy sauce in a white taco holder.

Expert Tips

  • Smash while itโ€™s cold: Smash the beef before placing it on the pan while it’s still cold. This helps it hold its shape and ensures a thinner, crispier patty.
  • Use parchment for pressing: If you’re using a burger press or spatula, place parchment paper over the beef before smashing to prevent sticking and keep things neat.
  • Layer cheese strategically: Add the cheese just after flipping the patty so it melts perfectly. Covering the pan briefly helps speed up melting without drying out the beef.
  • Make your sauce early: This is optional, but making the sauce an hour (or a day) in advance lets the flavors meld for a more cohesive and tangy finish.
  • Donโ€™t overload toppings: Less is more. Too many toppings can overpower the beef and make the taco messy to eat. Stick to crisp lettuce, onions, and just enough sauce for balance.
Two smash burger tacos with lettuce, diced onions and sauce, placed in white taco holders on a marble surface.

How to Store This Recipe

To store leftover smash burger tacos, let everything cool completely, then separate the components for best texture. Keep the cooked burger patties and tortillas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

Store the sauce and toppings like lettuce and onions separately to keep them fresh and crisp. When ready to eat, reheat the patties and tortillas in a skillet or oven, then assemble with fresh toppings and sauce for the best taste and texture.

What to Serve with Smash Burger Taco

Pair with easy sides like crispy sweet potato fries, air-fried pickles, or a classic coleslaw for added crunch. For a fast food vibe, serve them with a side of oven-baked French fries or onion rings. And if you’re keeping it low-carb, go for roasted veggies or a portion of your favorite salad to round out the meal without weighing it down.

More Easy Lunch Recipes To Try

Two smash burger tacos filled with lettuce, beef, and a creamy sauce, are displayed in a white taco holder on a marble surface.

Smash Burger Tacos Recipe

Get the best of both worlds with this easy smash burger taco recipe! Made in just 40 minutes, this viral-worthy recipe isn’t just tasty – itโ€™s protein-packed, customizable, and lighter than traditional fast food burgers. Itโ€™s easy as it is flavorful, and I love how you can easily make it your own to adapt to your diet and lifestyle.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 8 tacos
Calories 367 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

For the Smash Burgers:

For the Sauce:

For Toppings:

  • 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
  • ยผ cup chopped onions

Instructions
 

  • Season the ground beef with salt and pepper. Then, divide it into 8 equal portions and shape them into balls. Arrange each meatball over a tortilla and use your fingers to flatten it out into a thin patty that covers most of the tortillaโ€™s surface.
  • Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and add a small amount of cooking oil to prevent sticking.
  • Place a tortilla in the skillet with the meat side down. Cook the burger on one side for about 2 minutes until the beef begins to brown.
  • Flip the tortilla and burger over and immediately sprinkle a portion of shredded mozzarella cheese over the cooking beef patty.
  • Cover with a lid and continue cooking for another 2 minutes or until the burger is cooked to your desired level of doneness and cheese is melted.
  • Remove the smash burger from the skillet and set it aside. Repeat this process with the remaining meat and tortilla pairs.
  • Combine all of the sauce ingredients in a bowl. Mix well, then set the sauce aside.
  • Once all are cooked, assemble the tacos by layering onion, sauce, and lettuce over the cooked meat and cheese. Fold the tortilla in half, creating a taco shape and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Smash the beef before placing it on the pan while it’s still cold to help hold its shape and ensure a thinner, crispier patty.
  • This is optional, but making the sauce an hour (or a day) in advance lets the flavors meld better.
  • Less is more. Too many toppings can overpower the beef and make the taco messy to eat. Stick to crisp lettuce, onions, and just enough sauce.
Serve: Pair with easy sides like crispy sweet potato fries, air-fried pickles, roasted veggies, your favorite salad, or a classic coleslaw. For a fast food vibe, serve them with a side of oven-baked French fries or onion rings.
Store: Cool completely, then separate the components in airtight containers and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the patties and tortillas in a skillet or oven, then assemble with fresh toppings and sauce.

Nutrition & Macros

Serving: 1tacoCalories: 367kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 14gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 663mgFiber: 2gNet Carbohydrates: 16g

To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, please calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients and amounts used, using your preferred nutrition calculator. Under no circumstances shall the this website and the author be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on the given nutritional information.

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