Smash Burger Tacos
If you love smash burgers and tacos, why choose?! These smash burger tacos take the best of both worlds—crispy, juicy beef, melted cheese, and all the flavors of a Big Mac—and serve it up in a fun, handheld taco. It’s no surprise they’ve been trending on TikTok, because they’re easy to make, ridiculously delicious, and totally kid-approved too – my fussy toddler even tried a couple, and believe me, that’s pretty high praise!
Instead of a traditional burger bun, the seasoned beef is smashed directly onto a tortilla, seared to crispy perfection, then loaded with shredded lettuce, chopped onions, and a tangy special sauce. It’s a fast, fun dinner idea that works for everything from weeknight meals to game-day snacks and appetizer style bites.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
✔️ Quick & Easy – Ready in under 40 minutes with simple ingredients.
✔️ Big Mac-Inspired Flavor – All the best burger toppings in taco form!
✔️ Kid-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing – Fun to eat and easy to customize.
✔️ TikTok Viral for a Reason – This one lives up to the hype!
If you haven’t tried smash burger tacos yet, now’s your chance—they’re about to become your new favorite way to eat a burger!
Ingredients
For the Smash Burgers:
- Ground beef
- Salt and pepper
- Flour tortillas
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Cooking oil for frying
For the Sauce:
- Mayonnaise
- Dill pickle relish
- Dijon mustard
- White vinegar
- Paprika powder
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
For Toppings:
- Shredded iceberg lettuce
- Chopped onions
How To Make Smash Burger Tacos: Step-by-Step Instructions
Please note that I’ve included a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post, and it has everything you need to make these smash burger tacos! Let’s take a look at the steps, with some handy photos to help guide you through the process…
- Make the Smash Burgers: Start by seasoning the ground beef with salt and pepper. Then, divide it into 8 equal portions and shape them into balls.
- Take each meatball and press it down onto a tortilla, using your fingers to flatten it out.
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and add a small amount of cooking oil to prevent sticking.
- Place a tortilla in the skillet with the meat side down. Use a spatula or another flat tool to press the beef down, creating a thin patty that covers most of the tortilla’s surface.
- Cook the burger on one side for about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes until the beef begins to brown. If desired, use the back of the spatula to press down on the burger to flatten it further.
- Flip the tortilla and burger over and immediately sprinkle a portion of shredded mozzarella cheese over the cooking beef patty.
- Cover the skillet with a lid to allow the cheese to melt and continue cooking for another 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, or until the burger is cooked to your desired level of doneness.
- Remove the smash burger from the skillet and set it aside. Repeat this process with the remaining smash burger tacos.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, dill pickle relish, Dijon mustard, white vinegar, paprika powder, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix well until all the ingredients are fully blended. Set the sauce aside.
- Assemble the Smash Burger Tacos: Sprinkle the chopped onions over the shredded iceberg lettuce.
- Drizzle the prepared sauce over the toppings. Adjust the sauce amount according to your taste.
- To assemble each taco, place a generous amount of shredded iceberg lettuce with onions on top of the burger.
- Fold the tortilla in half, creating a taco shape.
- Serve the smash burger tacos immediately and enjoy the delicious fusion of smash burgers and tacos!
Variations & Customizations for Smash Burger Tacos
Want to switch things up? Here are some fun variations and customizations to take your smash burger tacos to the next level!
Protein Swaps
- Turkey Smash Tacos – Use ground turkey instead of beef for a leaner option.
- Chicken Smash Tacos – Swap in ground chicken for a lighter, juicy alternative.
- Plant-Based Smash Tacos – Use your favorite plant-based ground meat for a vegetarian version.
- Cheesesteak-Style – Swap beef for thinly sliced steak, then smash it onto the tortillas.
Cheese Upgrades
- Classic American Cheese – Melts perfectly for an authentic smash burger experience.
- Cheddar or Pepper Jack – For a sharper, spicier kick.
- Blue Cheese Crumbles – Adds bold, tangy flavor—great for a gourmet twist.
- Queso Smothered – Drizzle warm nacho cheese over the tacos before serving.
Sauce & Flavor Twists
- Spicy Smash Tacos – Add sriracha, hot sauce, or chipotle mayo to the sauce.
- Buffalo Ranch Style – Swap the sauce for a mix of ranch dressing and buffalo sauce.
- Mexican-Inspired – Add taco seasoning to the beef, top with pico de gallo and guacamole.
Toppings & Extras
- Crispy Bacon – Because bacon makes everything better!
- Pickled Jalapeños – Adds a spicy, tangy contrast to the rich flavors.
- Grilled Onions & Mushrooms – A caramelized, savory topping upgrade.
- Fried Egg – For a brunch-style twist! 🍳
- Avocado or Guacamole – Adds a creamy, fresh element.
Smash Burger Tacos
Ingredients
For the Smash Burgers:
- 1 lbs ground beef
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 small flour tortillas
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Cooking oil for frying
For the Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup dill pickle relish
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- ½ tsp paprika powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
For Toppings:
- 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
- 1/4 cup chopped onions
Instructions
- Make the Smash Burgers: Start by seasoning the ground beef with salt and pepper. Then, divide it into 8 equal portions and shape them into balls.
- Take each meatball and press it down onto a tortilla, using your fingers to flatten it out.
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and add a small amount of cooking oil to prevent sticking.
- Place a tortilla in the skillet with the meat side down. Use a spatula or another flat tool to press the beef down, creating a thin patty that covers most of the tortilla's surface.
- Cook the burger on one side for about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes until the beef begins to brown. If desired, use the back of the spatula to press down on the burger to flatten it further.
- Flip the tortilla and burger over and immediately sprinkle a portion of shredded mozzarella cheese over the cooking beef patty.
- Cover the skillet with a lid to allow the cheese to melt and continue cooking for another 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, or until the burger is cooked to your desired level of doneness.
- Remove the smash burger from the skillet and set it aside. Repeat this process with the remaining smash burger tacos.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, dill pickle relish, Dijon mustard, white vinegar, paprika powder, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix well until all the ingredients are fully blended. Set the sauce aside.
- Assemble the Smash Burger Tacos: Sprinkle the chopped onions over the shredded iceberg lettuce.
- Drizzle the prepared sauce over the toppings. Adjust the sauce amount according to your taste.
- To assemble each taco, place a generous amount of shredded iceberg lettuce with onions on top of the burger.
- Fold the tortilla in half, creating a taco shape.
- Serve the smash burger tacos immediately and enjoy the delicious fusion of smash burgers and tacos!
If you try this recipe, I’d really appreciate it if you could leave a comment and a review below – it helps me to create more recipes you’ll love! As well, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @slimmingviolet so I can see your creations!
