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These easy Smash Burger Tacos are the best mash-up of a classic burger and a taco. This viral recipe combines crispy cooked smash burgers on a golden tortilla, topped with all the best burger toppings. These burger tacos are incredibly juicy and delicious, quick to make, and can easily be made gluten-free!
My kids love smash burgers and tacos so making these smash burger tacos was a no-brainer! Now that we have had them over and over again they have become a regular addition to our weekly menu. They are just so incredibly juicy and delicious and very fun and easy to make!
Similar to these burger bowls that are equally a favorite in our family!
The key to making this smash burger taco recipe is in the method. After testing it many times I finally landed on the best way to make them!
To make a smash burger taco, you simply season your meat (you can use ground beef or ground turkey), press portions of the meat into your favorite tortillas, then press them into a hot pan with some oil, cook until crispy, flip, add some cheese (if desired), top and enjoy!
We love to finish the tacos with some homemade BURGER SAUCE!
Why these smash burger tacos are so good?
- The mix of a perfect smashed burger pattie cooked to perfection, and a crispy tortilla, not much more to say, haha!
- All the toppings! Pile on all of your favorite burger toppings and it’s a party!
- You can customize the recipe by switching up the type of meat, tortillas, and toppings, which is wonderful!
- Eating a smash burger taco is an experience that you will savor in every single bite!
- Finally, it’s a perfect combo of a burger meets a taco!
What type of beef is best for smash burgers?
I love using 93/7 ground beef for making smash burger tacos because it is just the right ratio of fat that yields delicious crispy flavorful smash burgers. It is also important to note that the fattier the cut of beef, the greasier the tortilla will be. 85/10 is also fine but was a bit greaser.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Ground beef – I used 93/7 since you want to use leaner beef to reduce the amount of grease that resides on the tortilla. Ground turkey also works great and will have less grease.
- Tortillas – the tortillas you choose are important. I used a blend that was a combo of flour and corn, which was great. I found flour tortillas to be the best, corn tortillas will work but the edges tend to curl up as you cook them. You also want to use smaller tortillas like 6 inch size.
- Avocado oil – just a small amount to coat the pan and tortillas so they get nice and crispy. Olive oil also works!
- Cheese – I used cheddar cheese that I shredded myself but any type of cheese will work.
- Toppings – we love shredded lettuce, pickles, diced onion, and burger sauce but you can use any burger toppings you like.
Get the complete list of recipe ingredients, instructions, and nutrition in the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
Recommended Kitchen Tools
- Cast iron pan, griddle, or flat-top grill
- Spatula – stainless steel
- Burger press – optional but recommended
- Scale – to weigh the meat
How to make the best easy smash burger tacos
These smash burger tacos are not only delicious, they are very fun to make! Here is a summary of the steps for making them.
Season and portion the meat then press each portion into the tortillas leaving about a ¾-1 inch border around each tortilla. I like to place them onto a lined baking sheet.
Heat a cast iron pan, griddle, or flat-top grill to medium heat with some oil. Place the tortilla meat side down into the pan, and press down on it using a burger press, stainless steel spatula, or a heavy-bottomed pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes, flip, add some cheese, and cook for 2 more minutes until the edges of the burger and tortillas are crispy. Remove and then continue until you have cooked all of the tacos.
Top with your favorite burger toppings and enjoy!
Top Tip: I found that spreading the meat and pressing it into the tortillas before cooking them was the best method for making these smash burger tacos. You can also place the portioned meat into the pan, arrange the tortilla on top of it, and then smash it down if you prefer.
Expert Tips For The Best Results!
- Weigh the meat. I recommend using a food scale to weigh the portions of ground beef so you get nice even amounts for each taco. I used 2.66 ounces for each smash burger.
- Cook the tacos in a cast iron pan, on a griddle or flat top grill since these cooking surfaces yield the best juicy, crispy smash burgers. I tried cooking these tacos in a regular skillet and although it worked they were not as crispy and flavorful.
- Press the burger meat nice and thin into the tortillas so it cooks thoroughly and evenly.
- Smash THE TORTILLAS down in the pan well using a burger press or spatula so the edges of the burger become flavorful and crispy and so do the tortillas.
Topping ideas for smash burger tacos
- Shredded lettuce
- Chopped onion
- Chopped tomatoes
- Shredded cheese
- Pickles – I love to use pickle chips
- BURGER SAUCE!
Best way to smash the tacos
I tested smashing the tacos a lot and what I found was a stainless steel smash burger press was the best tool. It was worth the $14 since I make these smash burger tacos and smash burgers a lot. A smaller cast iron pan will work as well or a heavier spatula but the burger press, hands down was the best tool and method that yielded the best results!
Storing and reheating
Smash burger tacos are 100% the best right out of the pan, topped with your favorite toppings, and eaten right away. If you do have leftovers then they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in a cast iron pan with the tortillas side down until warm and crispy. Note: the tortillas will not get as crispy reheated but they are still delicious!
More Delicious Burger Recipes
Check out all of my main dish recipes on PMG!
Did you try these smash burger tacos? If you did then please leave a rating and comment below. I would love to hear how yours turned out!
Print
Best Healthy Smash Burger Tacos
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These easy smash burger tacos are the best mash-up of a classic burger and a taco. This viral recipe combines crispy cooked smash burgers on a crispy tortilla, topped with all the best burger toppings. These burgers are incredibly juicy and delicious, quick to make, and can easily be made gluten-free!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef -I used 93/7
- Salt and pepper – to taste
- 6 (6-inch) tortillas – I used a corn/flour blend
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Burger toppings: shredded lettuce, chopped onion, pickles, burger sauce
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add the ground beef to a mixing bowl and season it well with salt and pepper.
- Portion the meat into 6 servings. I weighed mine in 2.66-ounce portions using a food scale.
- Spread out the tortillas and press each portion of beef into each tortilla using your hands, leaving about a ¾-1 inch border around each tortilla, and place the assembled, uncooked tacos on the baking sheet.
- Heat a cast iron pan, skillet, griddle, or flat-top grill to medium-high heat and coat the surface in oil. Add the smashed burgers (1 at a time if using a smaller pan) to the pan, meat side down. Press the tortilla into the pan using a burger press, heavy pan, or stainless steel spatula. Spray or brush the tortilla with oil. Cook for 2-3 minutes, flip, add some cheese, and cook for 2 more minutes or until the meat is cooked through and the edges of the tortillas are crispy. Remove, and place onto a lined baking sheet. Continue until you have cooked all the tacos. Note: you can cover the tacos with a lid to help melt the cheese faster.
- Top with your favorite burger toppings and enjoy!
Notes
- Use leaner ground beef so the tortillas do not become as greasy. I used 93/7 but 85/10 also works.
- 6-inch tortillas were the perfect size to use for these smash burger tacos.
- Use a cast iron pan, griddle or flat-top grill for the best results.
- Spray or brush the tortillas with oil to get them even crispier.
- Smash burger tacos are best if enjoyed right away but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for p to 3 days. Reheat portions in the oven or in a pan on the stove until warmed and crispy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
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