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
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.
Absolutely! Ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives work great. Just ensure the meat is seasoned well and cooked thoroughly.
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.
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
What Goes Into Smashed Cheeseburger Tacos
Core Ingredients:Sauce Components:Toppings:Seasoning:Cooking Essentials:Tools for Taco Night Cheeseburgers
Making Smashed Cheeseburger Tacos at Home
Step 1: Whip Up Zesty Burger Sauce
Grab a mixing bowl and blend together: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: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
Exciting Variations on Cheeseburger Tacos
Ways to Serve Smashed Cheeseburger Tacos
How to Store Cheeseburger Taco Leftovers
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Smashed Cheeseburger Tacos Recipe
- 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
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
- Whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and relish in a small mixing bowl to create a zesty signature sauce.
- Heat a skillet or griddle to medium-high temperature, ensuring an even cooking surface.
- Divide ground beef into six equal portions, gently pressing each portion onto individual tortillas with uniform thickness, then generously season with preferred spice blend.
- Lightly brush cooking surface with oil to prevent sticking and enhance browning.
- Carefully place tortillas beef-side down onto hot surface, cooking for approximately 2 minutes until meat develops a golden-brown crust.
- Rotate tortillas, immediately layer cheddar cheese over beef, and continue cooking until cheese melts completely and tortilla edges turn crispy and golden.
- Garnish with fresh, crisp shredded lettuce, ripe tomato slices, and tangy pickle rounds.
- 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
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.