Description
Mexican-inspired smash burger tacos blend juicy beef patties with crispy tortilla edges for an irresistible street-style meal. Crisp toppings and zesty sauce complete this quick, crowd-pleasing dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (1 pound) ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 6 slices american cheese
- 6 small tortillas (6-inch, flour)
- 1 cup iceberg lettuce (shredded)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup white onion (diced)
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp sweet pickle relish
- 1 tbsp butter or neutral oil (for cooking)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1/8 dill pickle chips
Instructions
- Sauce Preparation: Blend mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, relish, and hot sauce in a mixing bowl, creating a zesty condiment that will elevate the taco’s flavor profile.
- Surface Preparation: Heat a cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high temperature, lightly coating with butter or oil to prevent adhesion and ensure optimal cooking conditions.
- Meat Integration: Gently shape ground beef into six loose portions, then meticulously press each sphere into a tortilla’s center, seasoning generously with salt and pepper to enhance the meat’s natural essence.
- Searing Technique: Place the tortilla-meat fusion on the heated surface, beef-side down, and apply firm pressure to create a crisp, caramelized exterior. Cook for 2-3 minutes until a golden-brown crust forms.
- Finishing Touches: Flip the taco to toast the tortilla briefly, then return to beef-side up. Crown with cheese, allowing it to melt from residual heat. Garnish with crisp lettuce, diced onions, pickle chips, and a liberal drizzle of prepared burger sauce.
- Serving Suggestion: Plate immediately while piping hot, presenting a harmonious fusion of textures and flavors that promise a memorable culinary experience.
Notes
- Optimize Meat Selection: Choose ground beef with 80/20 fat ratio for maximum flavor and juiciness, ensuring crispy edges and rich taste.
- Manage Heat Carefully: Maintain medium-high temperature to achieve perfect caramelization without burning the tortilla or meat, watching skillet closely during cooking.
- Master Smashing Technique: Press beef gently but firmly into tortilla, using flat-bottomed spatula or burger press to create even, thin layer for maximum crispy texture.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute corn tortillas for gluten-free option, use lean ground turkey for lower-fat version, or replace cheese with dairy-free alternative for varied dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American-Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg