These easy Smash Burger Tacos are loaded with juicy seasoned beef, cheese, crisp lettuce, pickles, and Thousand Island dressing, giving you all the best parts of a dinner-style burger wrapped in a golden tortilla! I love anything with pickles and melty cheese, so this burger-taco mashup was an immediate YES for me. The simple burger filling is pressed onto flour tortillas and cooked meat side down in a hot pan, so the edges turn golden brown and flavorful while the tortilla gets crispy. It’s easy, economical, ready in about 30 minutes, and the best compromise when you can’t decide between burgers or tacos for dinner!
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Contents
Smashed Cheese Burger Tacos
These smash burger tacos give me all the crispy, golden edges of our classic smash burgers, but folded into a crispy tortilla like a beef taco! I keep the seasoning simple with chopped onion, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt and pepper so the beef still tastes like a classic burger, then I finish each taco with American cheese until it’s all melted and delicious.
You TO DO You have to cook these hamburger tacos in batches, but each one only takes about 4 minutes total, and once they hit the pan, they require no intervention until you need to flip them. I can set the table or serve my sides while they cook. You’ll know they’re ready to flip when the beef is browned, sizzling around the edges, and releases easily from the pan. Then I keep my toppings simple and affordable with lettuce, pickles, and Thousand Island dressing. But you can absolutely go all out with your favorite burger toppings. There’s no wrong way to enjoy these flavorful and juicy cheesy burger tacos!
- I like 80/20 beef for these smash burger tacos. It has enough fat to stay juicy and flavorful, but not so much that the tortilla becomes too wet or greasy. I wouldn’t go fatter than that, as too much rendered fat could separate the beef from the tortilla when flipped.
- Do not overmix the beef. I just mix the ground beef and seasonings until combined. Overworking the meat can make the burger filling dense instead of juicy and tender.
- Spread the beef in a thin layer. This helps the beef cook quickly and come into contact with the hot pan, creating those crispy, flavorful edges that make smash burgers so good!
- Preheat and lightly oil the pan. Leave the pan hot before adding the tortilla. Also make sure there is a thin layer of oil in the pan. If the beef sticks when you try to turn it, give it another 30 seconds or so to form a crust and release naturally.
- Don’t worry if the beef separates. If the cake do step away from the tortilla when you flip it, just put it back on top and continue. It has already done its job of flavoring the tortilla and creating a golden crust. Once the taco is folded with cheese, sauce, lettuce and pickles, no one will know (I promise!)
- Keep finished tacos warm in the oven (optional). You can place the cooked taco burgers on a baking sheet in a 200°F oven while you finish the rest, if you like. Add the toppings just before serving to keep them crisp and fresh.
- Have fun with the toppings. You can definitely swap out the toppings I use, or add even more! Try sliced tomatoes, caramelized onions, diced red onions, fryer bacon, jalapeños, different melty cheeses, or even a little hot sauce.
Smash Burger Tacos
Cost Recipe at $8.77 / serving at $1.46
These Smash Burger Tacos feature juicy beef, melty cheese, pickles, lettuce and Thousand Island dressing in a crispy golden tortilla. Ready in about 30 minutes!
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Gather all your ingredients.
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Combine ground beef, chopped onion, Worcestershire, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper in a large bowl. Divide into 6 equal balls and press each ball onto the tortillas.
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Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Place a tortilla in the pan, meat side down, pressing down with a spatula to cook. Cook for 2-3 minutes while pressing and turn once golden and crisp.
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Flip the tortilla, top with a slice of cheese and cook for another 2 minutes until the cheese melts.
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Repeat with remaining tortillas.
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Top your burger smash tacos with shredded lettuce, pickle chips and Thousand Island dressing. Serve and enjoy!
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**Any burger or “special” sauce works well instead of Thousand Island Dressing! Ranch, barbecue sauce, mayonnaise, ketchup or mustard are also good options.
Portion: 1tacoCalories: 430kilocalories (22%)Carbohydrates: 19g (6%)Protein: 20g (40%)Fat: 30g (46%)Sodium: 1028mg (45%)Fiber: 2g (8%)
how to make Smash Burger Tacos step by step photos
Gather all your ingredients.
Prepare the burger filling: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb. ground beef, ¼ cup chopped yellow onion, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, and ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Mix until well combined, taking care not to overwork the meat so it remains tender. Divide the beef mixture into 6 equal portions, then roll each portion into a loose ball.
Add to tortillas: Place a beef patty in the center of each of 6 small flour tortillas, then press and spread the meat into a thin, even layer, leaving a border around the edge. A thinner layer helps the beef cook quickly and evenly.
Cook the smashburger tacos: Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, place a tortilla in the pan, meat side down. Press firmly with a spatula so the beef is in contact with the pan, then cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the beef is brown (no pink) and slightly crisp around the edges.
Flip the tortilla so the crispy side of the beef is facing up. Add 1 slice of American cheese to the hot beef, then cook for about 2 more minutes, or until the tortilla is golden brown on the bottom and the cheese is soft and melted.
Transfer the taco to a plate and repeat with the remaining tortillas, adding a little more oil if the pan starts to look dry. Keep the heat on medium so that the beef browns well without burning the tortillas.
Add toppings and serve: Top each taco smash burger with shredded iceberg lettuce, a few pickle chips and Thousand Island dressing. Serve hot while the tortillas are crispy, the cheese is melty and the burger topping is juicy! Appreciate.
Presentation suggestions
I love serving these smash burger tacos with classic burger night sides. Air fryer fries are an easy choice because they’re crispy, economical, and perfect for dipping in any additional Thousand Island dressing. A pile of onion rings also makes the whole meal feel diner-style, and I LOVE a side of creamy slaw for a crunchy contrast to the rich beef and melty cheese. For something friendly to make ahead, our Three Bean Salad is such a zesty and easy side dish that doesn’t require extra space in the oven or pan to prepare!
Storage and reheating
Store leftover smash burger tacos (without toppings) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze fully cooked tacos before adding the toppings. Wrap each taco individually in foil or plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze them for up to 2 months. Reheat on the stovetop, in the oven, or in the air fryer at 375°F until hot and crispy again, then add toppings just before serving.
Then try these delicious taco ideas:
- My Plate Tacos are a fun weekday shortcut when you want crunchy tacos without standing over the stove!
- Hummus Breakfast Tacos are a quick 15 minute breakfast with tortillas, eggs, hummus and all the toppings you love.
- I love how these Cauliflower Tacos turn roasted peppers, tomato sauce, almonds, and smoked paprika into a vegan taco option that still looks filling!
