Smash burger tacos
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Picture a juicy burger tucked into a soft corn tortilla. This recipe brings together the best of both worlds, offering a satisfying crunch and savoury taste in every bite. Topped with a creamy dressing, pickles, and onions, these tacos are full of flavour and texture. Perfect for a casual dinner or a fun gathering, smash burger tacos provide a unique twist on two classic favourites. Prepare for a meal that's as enjoyable to make as it is to eat!
Ingredients
|
Corn tortillas, small
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4 |
|---|---|
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Minced beef
|
200 g |
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Coarse salt
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1 tsp |
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Paprika powder
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½ tsp |
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Olive oil for frying
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2 tbsp |
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Cheddar cheese
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4 slices |
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Lettuce heart, finely chopped
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1 |
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Pickled cucumbers, sliced
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3 |
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Small onion, thinly sliced or diced
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1 |
Dressing
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Sour cream
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2 tbsp |
|---|---|
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Mayonnaise
|
1 tbsp |
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Tomato ketchup
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1 tbsp |
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Dijon mustard
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1 tbsp |
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Garlic powder
|
½ tsp |
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Coarse salt
|
¼ tsp |
Method
Recipe tips
It’s often the small details that make the biggest impact in the kitchen, so we’re sharing the tips we rely on when cooking and creating recipes
Start with the pan hot enough that the oil is shimmering, this gives the beef a good sear without drying it out. Once the meat side is browned, flip the tacos and turn the heat down to low, letting the cheese melt gently while the tortilla toasts without burning. Keeping an eye on the heat at each stage is what keeps the beef juicy and the tortilla crisp rather than scorched.
Place a ball of mince directly on the tortilla and press it out firmly and evenly with a fork, working from the centre outwards. The thinner and more even the layer, the better the contact with the pan and the better the crust. Aim to cover the tortilla right to the edges so every bite has an equal amount of meat.
Wipe away any burnt bits between batches and let the pan come back up to temperature before adding the next round of tacos. This keeps the browning even and stops any leftover residue from adding a burnt taste to the next batch.
FAQ: Questions about smash burger tacos
Wondering how to store leftover smash burger tacos or how to keep the bottom from burning? Below, we break down what makes this dish unique, share the trick to a perfectly crisp base, and cover how to keep leftovers tasting their best.
What are smash burger tacos?
Smash burger tacos combine two favourites into one dish: a thin, pressed beef patty like a classic smash burger, served in a corn tortilla instead of a bun. The beef is pressed flat and fried until browned and crisp on one side, then topped with melted cheddar. Finished with lettuce, pickles, onions, and a creamy homemade dressing, it's a handheld twist that brings together the best of a burger and a taco.
How do I stop the bottom from burning?
Keep the heat at medium-high rather than too high. The goal is a golden crust on the beef, not a scorched one. Make sure the oil is shimmering before you add the tacos, and avoid overcrowding the pan, too many at once can cause uneven heat and hot spots that burn the bottom. If you notice it browning too fast, lower the heat slightly and keep an eye on it for the last minute or so.
How should I store smash burger tacos?
Let the tacos cool for no more than 30 minutes, then refrigerate. Store the tortillas, cooked beef, and cheese together in an airtight container, but keep fresh toppings like lettuce, pickles, and onions separate so they stay crisp. The dressing keeps well in its own container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Nutritional values per 100 g
Energy:
97 Kcal
| Energy distribution % | Nutritional values per 100 g | |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre | - | 0.6 g |
| Protein | 10.9 % | 2.6 g |
| Fat | 75.7 % | 8.3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 13.4 % | 3.2 g |
Meal prep tips for smash burger tacos
Get ahead by mixing the dressing up to a couple of days in advance and keeping it in the fridge. You can also portion and shape the meatballs ahead of time, just keep them cold until you're ready to fry. Prep the toppings, lettuce, pickles, and onions, and store them separately so everything stays fresh and crisp, then fry and assemble the tacos fresh when you're ready to eat.
How do I know when the meat is cooked through?
Because the beef is pressed thin, it cooks quickly, usually within 3-4 minutes on the first side. Look for a deep golden-brown crust on the meat before flipping, that's a good sign it's cooked through given how thin the patty is.
How do I fix a runny dressing?
If your dressing turns out too thin, stir in a little extra sour cream or mayonnaise to thicken it back up. Chilling the dressing for a few minutes in the fridge also helps it firm up slightly before serving. Going forward, try adding the ketchup and mustard a little at a time so you can control the consistency as you mix.
Getting the dressing exactly how you like it is half the fun of making smash burger tacos— just bear in mind that adjusting the ingredients will affect the nutritional values of the recipe, including its protein content.
Meal prepping for the week? Try these recipes next
These recipes are just as quick to put together and keep well throughout the week:
- Sweet potato tacos: spiced beef pressed onto baked sweet potato shells, finished with chilli flakes and a drizzle of honey.
- Chicken burrito bowl: fajita-seasoned chicken with rice, black beans, cheddar, a fresh tomato salsa, and a creamy avocado and skyr cream.
