Smashed Cheeseburger Tacos Recipe

The Best Smashed Cheeseburger Tacos Recipe You’ll Ever Try

Tacos take an unexpected twist with this mouthwatering smashed cheeseburger tacos recipe that blends classic burger flavors into a handheld Mexican-inspired delight.

Crispy edges, melted cheese, and savory ground beef create a perfect fusion of two beloved comfort foods.

The technique of smashing the meat delivers incredible texture and caramelized bits that pack serious flavor.

Juicy beef meets soft tortillas in a creative culinary mashup that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Each bite combines the best elements of a cheeseburger with the casual, fun spirit of tacos.

This easy recipe transforms weeknight dinners into an exciting, crowd-pleasing experience.

You’ll want to add this unique dish to your regular meal rotation.

FAQs

  • How do I get the tortillas crispy?

Use medium-high heat and lightly oil the skillet. Press the beef-side down firmly and cook until the bottom becomes golden and crisp, which takes about two minutes.

  • Can I use different ground meat?

Absolutely! Ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives work great. Just ensure the meat is seasoned well and cooked thoroughly.

  • What's the best way to smash the beef on the tortilla?

Use your hands or the back of a spatula to evenly distribute the meat across the tortilla. Press gently but firmly to create a thin, even layer that will crisp up nicely.

  • How do I prevent the tortillas from burning?

Keep the heat at medium-high and watch closely. If the tortillas are browning too quickly, reduce the heat slightly and keep them moving in the pan to ensure even cooking.

Reasons to Love Smashed Cheeseburger Tacos

  • Combine the best of burgers and tacos in one mouthwatering dish that breaks traditional recipe boundaries.
  • Whip up a delicious meal with simple ingredients and straightforward steps that even beginner cooks can master confidently.
  • Deliver a fun twist on classic comfort food that will make both children and adults cheer at the dinner table.
  • Create a satisfying meal in minutes, perfect for busy families needing a fast and flavorful dinner option that doesn't compromise on taste.

What Goes Into Smashed Cheeseburger Tacos

Core Ingredients:
  • Ground Beef: A flavorful protein base that forms the foundation of these unique tacos.
  • Tortillas: Soft corn or flour base that transforms into a crispy taco shell during cooking.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully to create a rich, creamy layer over the beef.
Sauce Components:
  • Mayonnaise, Ketchup, Mustard, Relish: A tangy and creamy condiment mix that adds complexity and zest to the taco.
Toppings:
  • Shredded Lettuce, Tomato Slices, Pickles: Fresh ingredients that provide crunch, juiciness, and a tangy contrast to the warm beef and melted cheese.
Seasoning:
  • Preferred Seasoning Mix: A blend of spices that enhances the beef's natural flavor and adds depth to the taco.
Cooking Essentials:
  • Cooking Oil: Ensures the tortillas crisp up evenly and prevent sticking to the cooking surface.

Tools for Taco Night Cheeseburgers

  • Cast Iron Skillet or Griddle: Heavy-duty pan perfect for achieving crispy, golden-brown tortillas and evenly cooking beef.
  • Spatula: Essential for flipping tortillas and moving them around the cooking surface smoothly.
  • Mixing Bowl: Needed for combining sauce ingredients quickly and easily.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helpful for precise seasoning and sauce ingredient proportions.
  • Chef's Knife: Great for slicing tomatoes and pickles into neat, uniform pieces.
  • Cutting Board: Provides clean surface for chopping vegetables and preparing toppings.

Making Smashed Cheeseburger Tacos at Home

Step 1: Whip Up Zesty Burger Sauce

Grab a mixing bowl and blend together:
  • Creamy mayonnaise
  • Tangy ketchup
  • Zippy mustard
  • Sweet pickle relish

Stir until the ingredients create a smooth, delicious sauce that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 2: Fire Up the Cooking Surface

Heat your skillet or griddle to a sizzling medium-high temperature.

You want that surface hot and ready for some serious cooking action.

Step 3: Smash the Beef

Divide ground beef into six equal portions.

Press each portion onto a tortilla, creating a thin, even layer.

Sprinkle your favorite seasoning blend generously across the beef for maximum flavor explosion.

Step 4: Lubricate the Cooking Surface

Lightly brush the skillet with oil to prevent sticking and create a perfect golden-brown crust.

Step 5: Sear the Tortilla Patties

Carefully place the tortillas beef-side down onto the hot surface.

Let them sizzle and crisp up for about two minutes, developing a beautiful caramelized exterior.

Step 6: Cheese Melting Magic

Flip the tortillas over and immediately shower the beef with shredded cheddar cheese.

Continue cooking until the tortillas turn crispy and the cheese transforms into a gooey, melted blanket.

Step 7: Load Up with Fresh Toppings

Pile on the fresh ingredients:
  • Crisp shredded lettuce
  • Juicy tomato slices
  • Tangy pickle rounds

Step 8: Fold and Feast

Carefully fold the crispy tortillas into classic taco shapes.

Serve piping hot and get ready to devour these incredible smashed cheeseburger tacos!

Tips for Flavor-Packed Smashed Tacos

  • Use 80/20 ground beef for juicier, more flavorful smashed cheeseburger tacos that prevent dry results.
  • Press beef portions extremely thin on tortillas using a spatula or burger press for crispy, even cooking.
  • Allow cheese to fully melt and slightly crisp at edges for maximum flavor and textural contrast between meat and tortilla.
  • Use cast iron skillet or griddle for best heat distribution and achieving that signature crispy tortilla base.
  • Assemble and serve immediately after cooking to maintain crispness and prevent soggy tortillas from losing their delicious crunch.

Exciting Variations on Cheeseburger Tacos

  • Vegetarian Patty Swap: Replace ground beef with black bean patties or plant-based meat alternatives for a meatless version that maintains the same crispy texture and flavor profile.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use corn tortillas and ensure all condiments are gluten-free certified, making the recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
  • Low-Carb Keto Adaptation: Substitute tortillas with large lettuce wraps or low-carb cheese wraps, keeping the smashed beef and melted cheese intact.
  • Spicy Mexican Remix: Add jalapeños to the beef mixture, swap regular cheddar for pepper jack cheese, and include fresh cilantro and hot sauce for an extra kick of heat.

Ways to Serve Smashed Cheeseburger Tacos

  • Burger Lover's Delight: Serve these tacos on a rustic wooden board for a trendy, Instagram-worthy presentation that'll make mouths water instantly.
  • Backyard BBQ Style: Pair with crispy potato wedges, cold coleslaw, and ice-cold sodas to create the ultimate casual dining experience that screams summer fun.
  • Gourmet Taco Night: Offer multiple sauce options like spicy sriracha mayo, tangy ranch, or zesty chipotle to let guests customize their flavor adventure.
  • Family-Friendly Feast: Create a build-your-own taco station with extra toppings like diced onions, jalapeños, sour cream, and fresh cilantro for interactive mealtime excitement.

How to Store Cheeseburger Taco Leftovers

  • Store leftover Smashed Cheeseburger Tacos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping toppings separate to prevent sogginess.
  • Wrap individual tacos tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag, storing for up to 1 month. Avoid freezing with fresh toppings.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F, place tacos on a baking sheet, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 10-12 minutes until heated through.
  • Warm a skillet over medium heat, add tacos carefully, cook for 2-3 minutes on each side to restore crispiness and heat evenly.
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Smashed Cheeseburger Tacos Recipe

Smashed Cheeseburger Tacos Recipe


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4.5 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Classic smashed cheeseburger tacos merge American grilling techniques with Mexican street food flair. Crispy beef edges, melted cheese, and zesty toppings create an irresistible fusion you’ll crave at your next meal.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
  • 6 pickle slices

Tortillas and Cheese:

  • 6 small flour tortillas
  • 1 cup (113 grams) cheddar cheese, shredded

Seasonings and Condiments:

  • 1 packet seasoning mix
  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) cooking oil
  • 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) mustard
  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) pickle relish

Toppings:

  • 1 cup (100 grams) shredded lettuce
  • 1 large tomato, sliced

Instructions

  1. Whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and relish in a small mixing bowl to create a zesty signature sauce.
  2. Heat a skillet or griddle to medium-high temperature, ensuring an even cooking surface.
  3. Divide ground beef into six equal portions, gently pressing each portion onto individual tortillas with uniform thickness, then generously season with preferred spice blend.
  4. Lightly brush cooking surface with oil to prevent sticking and enhance browning.
  5. Carefully place tortillas beef-side down onto hot surface, cooking for approximately 2 minutes until meat develops a golden-brown crust.
  6. Rotate tortillas, immediately layer cheddar cheese over beef, and continue cooking until cheese melts completely and tortilla edges turn crispy and golden.
  7. Garnish with fresh, crisp shredded lettuce, ripe tomato slices, and tangy pickle rounds.
  8. Fold tortillas into classic taco shape, creating a delectable handheld meal, and serve piping hot for maximum flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Master the perfect sauce blend by adjusting ratios to suit your taste preferences, experimenting with different condiment combinations.
  • Choose high-fat ground beef like 80/20 for maximum flavor and crispy edges when smashing onto tortillas.
  • Ensure skillet is properly heated before adding tortillas to achieve that signature golden-brown, crispy texture without burning.
  • Consider gluten-free tortillas or lettuce wraps for low-carb alternatives that maintain the delicious burger-taco fusion concept.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Fat: 25g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 20g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg
Marcus Reed

Marcus Reed

Founder & Food Content Creator

Expertise

Single-recipe development, Seasonal and local ingredient utilization, Food photography and styling, Culinary writing and content creation​

Education

Culinary Arts Certificate, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, WV
Focus: Fundamentals of culinary techniques, emphasizing hands-on experience in small-scale kitchen settings.


Marcus’s story begins in Asheville, where good food and family kitchens shaped his earliest memories. After hands-on culinary training and a lot of trial (and a little error), he realized that real cooking isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection.
At Pan and Oven, Marcus crafts recipes that are easy to follow, packed with flavor, and built for real kitchens.

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