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Cheeseburger Tacos

The Best Smashburger Cheeseburger Tacos

Get all the delicious flavors of a classic smashburger in a fun, fast, and easy taco! These cheesy, crispy tacos take just 15 minutes to make and are topped with an incredible homemade burger sauce.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, american-mexican
Calories: 380

Ingredients
  

  • For the Burger Sauce:
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • For the Tacos:
  • 1 pound ground beef 80/20 blend preferred
  • 8 small flour tortillas 6-inch taco size
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or avocado oil
  • 8 slices American cheese or cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup iceberg lettuce finely shredded
  • 1/2 cup dill pickles sliced
  • 1/2 cup white onion finely diced

Equipment

  • Large cast-iron skillet or heavy-duty griddle
  • Heavy spatula or burger press
  • Small mixing bowl (for the sauce)
  • Cutting board and knife

Method
 

  1. Make the Sauce: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth. Keep in the refrigerator until ready to use.
  2. Prep the Meat: Divide the pound of ground beef into 8 equal portions, rolling each one into a loose ball (about 2 ounces each).
  3. Smash the Tacos: Place one small flour tortilla flat on your work surface. Place one meatball in the center of the tortilla. Using your hands, press the meat down firmly, spreading it out into a very thin, even layer that reaches all the way to the edges of the tortilla. Season the raw meat evenly with a pinch of salt and pepper. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and meat.
  4. Sear the Beef: Heat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Add a tiny drizzle of vegetable oil. Once hot, place the prepared tortilla directly into the pan, meat-side down.
  5. Cook and Flip: Use a heavy spatula to press down firmly on the back of the tortilla to ensure maximum contact with the pan. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the beef is browned and crispy. Flip the taco over so the tortilla side is now touching the pan.
  6. Melt the Cheese: Immediately place a slice of cheese over the hot beef. Let it cook for 1 more minute until the bottom of the tortilla is lightly toasted and the cheese is completely melted. Remove from the pan and transfer to a serving plate. Repeat the cooking process with the remaining tacos.
  7. Assemble and Serve: Top each cheesy taco with shredded iceberg lettuce, diced onions, and sliced pickles. Drizzle generously with the prepared burger sauce. Fold in half and enjoy immediately!

Notes

The Best Tortillas: Flour tortillas are highly recommended for this recipe because they become beautifully pliable yet slightly crispy when cooked in the beef drippings. Corn tortillas tend to break apart when smashed.
Ground Beef Choice: Use an 80/20 ground beef blend. Leaner ground beef will dry out during the high-heat searing process, and the fat is essential for getting those crispy, caramelized burger edges.
Keep the Meat Thin: Spread the raw ground beef as thinly as possible on the tortilla. As it cooks, the meat will naturally shrink and thicken up. A very thin layer ensures it cooks through rapidly and gets nice and crispy.