OMG just made these Smash Burger Tacos last night and they’re a total game changer. Seriously the best mashup ever between juicy smashed patties and taco night. What’s not to love about crispy-edged beef packed into warm tortillas with all those amazing toppings? The combo of that crusty sear on the burger with fresh taco fixings is pure magic. Keep reading cuz I’m gonna show you exactly how to make these at home.
Why You’ll Love These Smash Burger Tacos
Listen up – these Smash Burger Tacos solve the whole “tacos or burgers” dilemma we face like every week at my house. My kids always arguing over what to have for dinner but this recipe makes everyone happy.
Made these for my sister who’s super picky and even she couldn’t stop eating them. What’s great is you can customize everything – go super simple or load em up with whatever toppings you like.
Plus they’re ready in under 30 mins which is perfect for those crazy weeknights when everyone’s starving and you’re just trying to get something good on the table quick.
Ready to level up taco night? Let’s get cooking.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Smash Burger Patties:
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 works best – need that fat for flavor)
- Salt and pepper (don’t skimp here)
- 1 tbsp oil for cooking
- 2 tbsp butter
- Optional: garlic powder, onion powder
The beef is obviously the star here. Don’t go super lean or your Smash Burger Tacos will dry out. That 80/20 ratio gives you the perfect amount of fat for those crispy edges everyone goes crazy for.
If you’re not into beef you could totally swap for ground turkey but honestly it won’t be quite the same. The beef fat is what creates that amazing crust.
For the Burger Sauce:
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard (yellow or dijon both work)
- 1 tbsp pickle juice
- 1 tsp hot sauce (optional but recommended)
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 clove garlic minced or 1/4 tsp garlic powder
This sauce is basically what makes these Smash Burger Tacos so addictive. The pickle juice sounds weird but trust me it’s the secret ingredient that gives it that special tang.
For the Tacos:
- 8-10 small tortillas (corn or flour both work)
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 tomato diced
- 1/2 red onion thinly sliced
- 1 avocado sliced or mashed
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
- Pickled jalapeños
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
Use whatever toppings you like honestly. Sometimes I just use what’s in the fridge. The combo of hot smashed patties with cold crisp veggies is what makes these Smash Burger Tacos so awesome.
How to Make the Best Smash Burger Tacos
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
First things first gotta get everything ready. Chop all your veggies dice tomatoes slice onions and make your sauce. Mix all sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. Having everything prepped makes assembly super quick.
Step 2: Form Loose Meat Balls
Divide your ground beef into 8-10 equal portions and gently form into loose balls. Don’t overwork the meat or pack them tight! This is key for Smash Burger Tacos – you want them loosely formed.
Season each ball with salt and pepper right before cooking not before.
Step 3: Heat Your Pan
Get a cast iron skillet or heavy pan SUPER hot. Like smoking hot. Add a bit of oil and then a small piece of butter right before cooking.
Step 4: The Smash Technique
This is where the magic happens for perfect Smash Burger Tacos. Place a meat ball in the screaming hot pan and immediately smash it down HARD with a spatula or bottom of another pan. Smash it thin like 1/4 inch thin.
Don’t touch it for about 1-2 mins until you see the edges getting brown and crispy.
Step 5: Flip Once and Done
Carefully scrape under the patty to get all that amazing crust and flip. Cook another 30 seconds on the other side. These cook super fast thats what makes them so juicy.
Step 6: Warm Tortillas
While cooking the patties quickly warm your tortillas in another pan or directly over a gas flame for a few seconds on each side.
Step 7: Assemble Your Smash Burger Tacos
Spread some burger sauce on each tortilla add a patty then pile on your toppings. I like to go sauce patty cheese lettuce tomato onion avocado more sauce cilantro done!
Don’t overstuff or they’ll fall apart when eating.
Awesome Variations to Try
Breakfast Smash Burger Tacos
Add a fried egg on top and some bacon bits. Amazing for hangovers just saying.
Southwest Style
Add corn black beans and chipotle mayo instead of burger sauce. Like a Southwest Chicken Wrap but way better.
Double Smash
Use smaller patties and stack two in each taco. More crispy edges = more flavor.
Fusion Smash
Add kimchi slaw and sriracha mayo for an Asian fusion twist that’s seriously good.
Pizza Smash Burger Tacos
Top with pizza sauce mozzarella and pepperoni. Kinda like my popular Sheet Pan Taco Pizza but in reverse.
Smash Burger Tacos
Equipment
- Cast iron skillet or heavy pan
- Spatula
- Mixing bowl
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
For the Smash Burger Patties:
- 1 lb ground beef 80/20
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- Optional: garlic powder onion powder
For the Burger Sauce:
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard yellow or Dijon
- 1 tbsp pickle juice
- 1 tsp hot sauce optional
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 clove garlic minced or 1/4 tsp garlic powder
For the Tacos:
- 8 –10 small tortillas flour or corn
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 tomato diced
- 1/2 red onion thinly sliced
- 1 avocado sliced or mashed
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese cheddar or Mexican blend
- Pickled jalapeños to taste
- Fresh cilantro chopped
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
Prep Ingredients:
- Chop veggies, prepare toppings, and mix all burger sauce ingredients in a bowl.
- Form Meatballs:
- Divide beef into 8–10 loose balls. Don’t overwork. Season with salt and pepper right before cooking.
Heat Pan:
- Heat cast iron skillet until very hot. Add oil and butter right before cooking.
Smash Patties:
- Place meatball in skillet and smash flat (about 1/4 inch thick). Cook undisturbed for 1–2 minutes until crispy edges form.
Flip:
- Flip patty and cook for another 30 seconds. Remove and repeat.
Warm Tortillas:
- Heat tortillas in a separate pan or directly over flame.
Assemble Tacos:
- Spread burger sauce on tortilla, add patty, then toppings: cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, more sauce, cilantro, and lime.
Nutrition
FAQ About Smash Burger Tacos
What is the secret to smash burgers?
Super hot pan is absolutely key to great Smash Burger Tacos. That and not being afraid to really smash them thin. The heat creates that amazing crust through something called the Maillard reaction which gives all that flavor. Also don’t flip too early let that crust form completely.
What is smash burger sauce made of?
The classic sauce for Smash Burger Tacos is basically mayo ketchup mustard pickle juice and spices. Some people add diced pickles or relish too. You can adjust the ratios to make it more tangy or creamy depending what you like. The pickle juice is what gives it that special something.
What are the toppings on smash tacos?
Traditional toppings include shredded lettuce diced tomatoes thinly sliced onions cheese and avocado. But honestly go wild. I’ve done everything from Taco Dip inspired toppings to crazy stuff like pineapple. For something really different try a dessert version like my Pumpkin Pie Tacos but with a sweet patty.
What to serve with smash burger tacos?
Mexican street corn is perfect with Smash Burger Tacos. Also love serving with loaded nachos cilantro lime rice or just simple chips and Taco Dip. For parties try arranging everything in a Taco Ring formation with the Smash Burger Tacos as the star.
What makes a smash burger taste so good?
It’s all about that crust! Smashing creates maximum surface area touching the hot pan which means maximum browning. This creates those crispy edges that make Smash Burger Tacos so addictive. The thin patty also cooks super fast sealing in juices. Plus the contrast of hot crispy meat with cool fresh toppings just works.
Make These Smash Burger Tacos Your Own
Made these Smash Burger Tacos three times last week and honestly they’re becoming our new family tradition. My teenagers even asked for them instead of going out for fast food which basically never happens.
What I love most is seeing everyone customize their own at the table. My husband loads his up with jalapeños my daughter goes heavy on the cheese and I’m all about extra sauce and avocado.
If you’re tired of the same old taco night or burger night give these a try. They’re perfect for those times when you can’t decide between Spicy Shrimp Tacos or burgers. Sometimes the best recipes happen when you just throw the rulebook out the window.
Tag me if you make these! Wanna see all your Smash Burger Tacos creations.