Smashed Cheeseburger Tacos Recipe
Introduction
Smashed Cheeseburger Tacos combine the juicy, crispy flavors of a classic smashed burger with the convenience and fun of a taco. This easy recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight meal or casual get-together, offering a mouthwatering twist on traditional tacos.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 6 taco size flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Seasoning of choice
- Oil for greasing the cooking surface
Optional Big Mac Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 2 tbsp pickle relish
Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Tomato
- Pickles
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, mix together the mayo, ketchup, mustard, and pickle relish to make the optional Big Mac sauce. You can also use store-bought burger sauce or your favorite condiments.
- Step 2: Preheat a Blackstone griddle, cast iron skillet, or a regular pan to medium-high heat.
- Step 3: Divide the ground beef into six equal portions. Smash each portion thinly and evenly onto the surface of each tortilla, covering it fully. Sprinkle with your chosen seasoning.
- Step 4: Lightly grease your cooking surface with oil. The amount depends on your equipment and the beef’s fat content; around 2 tablespoons works well on a Blackstone griddle.
- Step 5: Place the tortillas on the cooking surface with the beef side down and cook for about 2 minutes.
- Step 6: Flip each tortilla, immediately top the beef with shredded cheese, and cook for another 1 to 3 minutes until the tortillas are crisp and the beef is cooked through. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Step 7: Remove from heat, add your preferred toppings, fold, and enjoy your smashed cheeseburger tacos.
Tips & Variations
- Smash the beef all the way to the edge of the tortillas as it shrinks when cooking.
- A Blackstone griddle or cast iron skillet creates the crispiest burgers, but a non-stick pan can work if needed.
- Try corn tortillas if you prefer; just note they may not hold together as well.
- Use shredded cheese for quicker melting, or cover the tacos during the last minute of cooking to speed up the melt.
- If you’re hesitant about cooking raw beef on the tortilla, don’t worry—the thin smash ensures quick, even cooking.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. Reheat in an air fryer at 390°F (199°C) for about 5 minutes to restore crispiness and warmth. Avoid microwaving to keep the texture crispy.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other types of cheese?
Yes, feel free to use any cheese you like. Shredded cheese melts faster, but sliced cheese can be used if you cover the tacos briefly during cooking to help it melt.
Is it safe to cook raw ground beef directly on tortillas?
Absolutely. Because the ground beef is smashed very thinly and cooked on both sides for several minutes, it cooks thoroughly and safely despite being on the tortilla.
PrintSmashed Cheeseburger Tacos Recipe
Smashed Cheeseburger Tacos combine the juicy flavor of smashed beef patties with the convenience of tacos. Ground beef is thinly smashed onto flour tortillas, cooked crispy with melted cheddar cheese, and topped with fresh veggies and optional Big Mac sauce for a quick, satisfying meal perfect for any day of the week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 6 tacos 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Burger Tacos
- 1 pound ground beef
- 6 taco size flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Seasoning of choice (such as salt, pepper, garlic powder)
- Oil for greasing the cooking surface (about 2 tbsp, adjust as needed)
Optional Big Mac Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 2 tablespoons pickle relish
Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomato
- Pickles
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, ketchup, mustard, and pickle relish until smooth. This Big Mac-style sauce is optional but adds a tangy and creamy flavor to the tacos.
- Preheat the cooking surface: Heat a Blackstone griddle, cast iron skillet, or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat until hot.
- Shape and season the beef: Divide the ground beef into six equal portions. On each flour tortilla, spread and smash one portion of beef thinly and evenly covering the entire tortilla surface. Sprinkle each with your chosen seasoning.
- Grease the pan: Lightly oil your cooking surface with about 2 tablespoons of oil, adjusting for your pan and beef fat content to prevent sticking and encourage crispiness.
- Cook beef side down: Place the tortillas onto the hot cooking surface, beef side down. Cook for approximately 2 minutes, allowing the beef to crisp and cook through.
- Flip and add cheese: Carefully flip each taco, then immediately top the cooked beef with shredded cheddar cheese. Continue cooking for 1 to 3 minutes until the cheese melts and the tortilla crisps to your liking. Monitor closely to prevent burning.
- Assemble the tacos: Remove from heat. Add your desired toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomato, pickles, and a drizzle of the optional Big Mac sauce. Fold and serve warm.
Notes
- The beef cooks quickly when smashed thin, so don’t worry about the raw beef touching the tortillas—it will cook through on both sides fast.
- Smash the beef all the way to the edges of the tortillas as the meat shrinks during cooking.
- A Blackstone griddle or cast iron skillet is ideal for a hot, even cooking surface that yields crispy edges, but a non-stick pan works if needed.
- Corn tortillas can be used but may be less sturdy than flour tortillas, so handle with care.
- Shredded cheese melts faster than sliced cheese; covering the tacos with a lid in the final minute helps melt cheese more quickly.
- Leftovers reheat well in an air fryer at 390°F for about 5 minutes, maintaining crispiness and flavor.
Keywords: smashed burgers, cheeseburger tacos, easy taco recipe, ground beef tacos, quick dinner, skillet tacos, homemade burger tacos
