Smash Burger Taco (Viral Recipe)

Can’t choose between burger night and taco Tuesday? This smash burger taco recipe brings you the best of both worlds.

It went viral on social media for good reason. It’s savory, crunchy, and impossible to resist!

Imagine the sizzle of a juicy burger patty and the crunch of fresh lettuce. It’s drizzled with the tang of a special sauce, all wrapped up in a crunchy tortilla.

Once you try these smash burger tacos, you’ll never go back to the standard ground beef filling again.

Homemade Smash Burger Taco with Patty, Lettuce and Mayonnaise - 4

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What is a Smash Burger Taco?

A smash burger taco is a creative fusion of a traditional smash burger and a taco.

The thin, crisp burger patty is served in a soft taco shell instead of a bun. And the smash burger comes from the cooking technique. A ball of ground meat is smashed onto a hot griddle to form a thin patty. This process results in a burger with a crispy, caramelized exterior and a juicy interior.

It’s nestled inside a flour tortilla with cheese, sauce, and fillings.

Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make this delicious recipe:

Special Sauce – A combination of mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, relish, and hot sauce. This sauce adds a tangy, creamy, and slightly spicy element to the tacos.
Ground Round – This beef is lean yet flavorful, perfect for burger patties.
Seasoning – Include Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavors of the meat.
Flour Tortillas – The base of your tacos. They have a mild flavor and soft texture that complements the other ingredients.
American Cheese – It adds a creamy, slightly tangy taste to your tacos.
Iceberg Lettuce – This lettuce provides a crunchy texture and a refreshing, light taste.
Onion – It adds a sharp flavor and a bit of crunch to contrast the smooth textures of the other ingredients.

How to Make a Smash Burger Taco

Making these tacos couldn’t be easier! Simply follow these steps:

MIX the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, relish, and hot sauce. Set aside. 2. PREHEAT a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Lightly grease with cooking oil. 3. DIVIDE the beef into six portions, roll gently into balls, then place in the skillet (work in batches). Immediately top with a tortilla. 4. PRESS on top of the tortilla using a spatula or burger press so the meat spreads to roughly the size of the tortilla. Cook for 2–3 minutes until browned. 5. FLIP the taco over so the beef side is up and the tortilla is on the heat. Season the beef with the salt and pepper, then add one slice of cheese on top. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until the tortilla is golden and lightly crispy. 6. REMOVE the tacos from the heat and add the toppings and burger sauce. Serve hot and enjoy!

Three smash burger taco with tortillas, iceberg lettuce, special sauce and ground round patty - 6

Tips for the Best Smash Burger Tacos

Want to make your tacos even more delectable? Follow these tips and tricks:

Quality matters. Start with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Use fresh ground beef with an excellent fat ratio for juicier patties.
Don’t skimp on the seasoning. The salt and pepper in the meat enhance the flavors.
Get your skillet hot. A hot skillet is critical to achieving a nice sear on your smash burgers. It provides a great texture and flavor.
Go easy on the meat. Handle the ground beef as little as possible. Overworking can make the burgers tough.
Smash once, not twice. Only smash your burger once right after it hits the skillet. Doing so helps create a crispy, seared crust.
Make your tortillas toasty. Warm tortillas are softer and taste better. You can do this in the oven, on the stove, or even on the grill.
Don’t wait! The tacos are best served immediately while everything is still warm and the tortillas are soft.

Variations

You can explore several variations to mix up your smash burger tacos. Here are some ideas:

Protein Swaps:

Turkey Smash Tacos. Replace the ground round with ground turkey. Turkey is a leaner option and can provide a different flavor profile.
Black Bean Smash Tacos. Substitute the ground round with smashed black beans for a vegetarian alternative. Be sure to season them well!

Cheese Variations:

Try using different types of cheese, like Sharp Cheddar and Pepper Jack, for a more robust flavor.

Tortilla Alternatives:

Whole Grain Tacos. Use whole-grain tortillas instead of flour for an added fiber boost.
Lettuce Wraps. You can use large lettuce leaves instead of tortillas for a low-carb alternative.

Topping Twists:

Add sliced avocados or a dollop of guacamole. They give a creamy texture and added flavor.
Add a tangy twist. Try pickled red onions or jalapenos.
Use a mix of colorful bell peppers. They make a vibrant and healthy topping.
Substitute the iceberg lettuce. Try spinach or arugula for a different leafy green option.

Sauce Swaps:

Try using BBQ sauce. It brings a smoky flavor.
For a spicier alternative, create a chipotle mayo. Blend chipotle peppers in adobo sauce with mayonnaise.
Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce. You can also add a squeeze of fresh lime for an extra tangy flavor.

Remember, the best part of cooking is making it your own! Feel free to experiment with different flavors and ingredients to suit your preferences.

Thin and crispy smash burger taco on a wooden board - 7

Serving Suggestions

Smash burger tacos are a fun and flavorful main course. But you can pair them with various side dishes to create a satisfying meal. Here are some ideas:

Sweet Potato Fries
Coleslaw
Mac and Cheese
Corn Salad
BBQ Baked Beans
1905 Salad
Kale Chips

How to Store and Reheat

If you have leftover smash burger tacos, here’s how to keep them fresh:

To Store: Wrap the smash burger taco in foil and refrigerate. To Reheat : When reheating smash burger tacos, warm them up in an oven at 350 F. They should take 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.

To Meal Prep: Deconstruct your tacos for the best results. Store the components separately in air-tight containers in the refrigerator.

Patties and Cheese: Store the leftover patties with the melted cheese in an airtight container. They can last in the fridge for about 3-4 days.
Sauce: The special sauce can be refrigerated in a separate air-tight container for up to a week.
Tortillas: Keep them in their original packaging or transfer them to a sealable plastic bag or air-tight container. They can last for about a week in the pantry.
Lettuce and Onion: Store these in separate air-tight containers in the crisper drawer of your fridge. They should stay fresh for about a week.

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