Smash Burger Tacos

Smash burger tacos – the crispiest, most caramelized beef you’ve ever had in a taco shell, loaded with all the classic burger toppings.

Why You’ll Love These Smash Burger Tacos

• Ready in 20 minutes – one skillet, no grill
• Maximum crust, minimum effort – the smash technique does the work
• Customizable – set out toppings for self-assembly

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 fat ratio)
• 8 small flour tortillas (6-inch)
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 4 slices American cheese (optional)
• Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, pickles, burger sauce

How to Make Smash Burger Tacos

Step 1 – Form the patties (3 minutes)

Divide ground beef into 8 equal balls (about 2 oz each). Don’t season yet.

Step 2 – Smash and sear (8 minutes)

Heat cast iron over high until smoking. Add oil. Place 4 beef balls, smash flat. Season tops. Don’t touch for 2 minutes.

Step 3 – Add tortilla and flip (2 minutes)

Flip patties. Place tortilla on top of each. Warm 30 seconds. Transfer to plate.

Step 4 – Assemble and serve (3 minutes)

Top each taco with preferred toppings. Serve immediately.

Pro Tips

80/20 beef is essential. The fat creates the crust.

Don’t move the patties. The crust needs uninterrupted pan contact.

Cast iron is king. Better heat retention = better browning.

Variations

Chicken: Ground chicken with 1 tbsp mayo and smoked paprika.

Low-carb: Skip tortilla, serve over shredded lettuce.

Storage

Refrigerator: Cooked patties keep 3-4 days. Reheat: Hot skillet 60 seconds per side.

What to Serve

Our grilled corn with herb butter is the perfect side. Our classic beef burgers recipe has a great secret sauce.

Nutrition

Per serving (2 tacos): approximately 480 calories, 28g protein, 32g carbohydrates, 26g fat.

FAQ

Can I use corn tortillas?

Yes, but warm them first so they don’t crack.

Why smash instead of regular patties?

More surface area = more browning = more flavor via the Maillard reaction.

If you make these smash burger tacos, tell us your topping combo. Save this for taco night.