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Smashed Cheeseburger Tacos

As Seen In Family-Friendly Recipes.

These Smashed Cheeseburger Tacos are the ultimate family-friendly meal! Ground beef is smashed onto tortillas, cooked until crispy, and topped with melted cheese and your favorite burger toppings. Quick, easy, and packed with flavor, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or fun dinners. Customize with optional Big Mac sauce or your favorite condiments. Ready in just 20 minutes, these tacos are sure to bring smiles to everyone’s faces!
Sarah Recipes
Recipe by Sarah Sarah
Fresh from the Kitchen: Sun, 23 Feb 2025 22:59:19 GMT
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A delicious meal of tacos with meat and vegetables. Save for Later
A delicious meal of tacos with meat and vegetables. | recipesaddicts.com

These Smash Burger Tacos bring together two beloved comfort foods in one irresistible package. Ground beef smashed directly onto flour tortillas creates a perfectly crispy crust while staying juicy inside, then gets topped with melty cheese and fresh garnishes. It's the kind of meal that makes everyone rush to the table when they smell it cooking.

My teenage son actually taught me this recipe after seeing it trending online. Now it's become our Friday night tradition, with everyone customizing their toppings just the way they like them.

Essential Ingredients and Selection Tips

  • Ground Beef: Choose 80/20 for the best flavor and texture - the fat helps create that crispy crust
  • Tortillas: Small flour tortillas (street taco size) work best - they get perfectly crispy
  • Cheese: Freshly shredded cheddar melts better than pre-shredded
  • Seasoning: Montreal steak seasoning adds great flavor, but simple salt and pepper work too
  • Toppings: Fresh, crisp lettuce and ripe tomatoes provide the perfect contrast

Detailed Cooking Instructions

Beef Division:
Form meat into exactly 2-ounce portions for consistent cooking
Smashing Technique:
Press firmly with a spatula to create an even layer that extends slightly beyond the tortilla edges
Temperature Control:
Get your cooking surface screaming hot before starting - you want to hear that sizzle
First Side Cooking:
Let it develop a deep brown crust before flipping - about 2 full minutes
Cheese Application:
Add cheese immediately after flipping so it melts perfectly
Final Crisping:
Watch for the tortilla to develop golden brown spots
Assembly Strategy:
Layer toppings in order - sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles - for the best bite
Serving Technique:
Fold rather than wrap for the perfect hand-held experience
A delicious meal of tacos with lettuce, tomatoes, and meat. Save for Later
A delicious meal of tacos with lettuce, tomatoes, and meat. | recipesaddicts.com

After countless taco nights, I've learned that the real magic happens in that first sizzle when the meat hits the hot surface. The sound and smell instantly bring everyone to the kitchen!

Perfect Pairings

Try serving these with crispy potato wedges or a simple coleslaw. The cool, crunchy sides complement the hot, crispy tacos beautifully.

A plate of delicious Mexican food with meat and tomatoes. Save for Later
A plate of delicious Mexican food with meat and tomatoes. | recipesaddicts.com

After making these countless times, I can say they're more than just a meal - they're an experience that brings people together. Whether it's a casual family dinner or a backyard gathering with friends, these Smash Burger Tacos always create happy memories around the table.

Recipe Tips & FAQs

→ Can I use corn tortillas?
Yes, but they don’t hold together as well as flour tortillas.
→ Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, use gluten-free tortillas and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.
→ Can I use a different protein?
Absolutely! Try ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat.
→ How do I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in an air fryer or skillet.
→ Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, prepare the beef mixture and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking.

Fun Cheeseburger Tacos

These Smashed Cheeseburger Tacos combine juicy smashed patties with taco shells for a fun, family-friendly meal. Ready in just 20 minutes!

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cooking Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
20 Minutes
Recipe by Sarah: Sarah

Recipe Type: Family Meals

Skill Level: Beginner-Friendly

Style of Cooking: American

Makes: 6 Serves (6 tacos)

Dietary Notes: ~

What You'll Need

→ For the Burger Tacos

01 1 pound ground beef
02 6 taco-size flour tortillas
03 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
04 Seasoning of choice
05 Oil for greasing the cooking surface

→ Optional Big Mac Sauce

06 ½ cup mayo
07 ¼ cup ketchup
08 1 tablespoon mustard
09 2 tablespoons pickle relish

→ Toppings

10 Shredded lettuce
11 Tomato
12 Pickles

Let's Cook!

Step 01

In a small bowl, mix together the mayo, ketchup, mustard, and relish to make the sauce. Totally optional as you can also buy burger sauce or simply use your favorite condiments.

Step 02

Preheat a Blackstone griddle, cast iron skillet, or even regular pan to medium-high heat.

Step 03

Separate the raw ground beef into six equal parts and smash the beef down onto your tortillas to create an even thin layer covering the entire surface of the tortillas. Sprinkle the beef with your seasoning of choice.

Step 04

Lightly grease your pan or griddle with oil. Place the tortillas down onto your cooking surface with the BEEF SIDE DOWN and cook for approximately 2 minutes. Flip and immediately top the beef with shredded cheese. Continue cooking for 1-3 minutes or until the tortillas are crisp and the beef is cooked to your liking.

Step 05

Remove from the heat and add your desired toppings. Fold and eat like a taco while you savor every scrumptious bite.

Cook's Notes

  1. If you're worried about the raw beef going directly onto the tortillas, don't be! It's smashed so thin it cooks through on both sides quickly.
  2. I recommend smashing the ground beef all the way to the edge of the tortillas because it does shrink quite a bit while cooking.
  3. A Blackstone griddle or cast iron skillet works best for this recipe because you want a really hot surface to get crispy smashed burgers, however, a non-stick pan also works in a pinch.
  4. You can also use corn tortillas for this recipe, just keep in mind that they don't hold together as well.
  5. There are several store-bought burger sauces that taste just like Big Mac sauce! We love the Kinder's brand.
  6. You can obviously use any cheese for this recipe. I prefer shredded cheese because it melts in half the time as sliced cheese. You can also cover the burger tacos with a lid for the last minute of cooking to allow the cheese to melt even faster.
  7. In the unlikely event you end up with leftovers, they are just as good reheated the next day in your air fryer at 390°F for about 5 minutes.
  8. Here's a fun idea: Try this same concept with ground sausage to make breakfast tacos. Simply top with scrambled eggs and salsa!

Kitchen Tools Needed

  • Blackstone griddle, cast iron skillet, or regular pan
  • Small bowl
  • Spatula

Allergy Notes

Always check ingredients carefully for allergens. When in doubt, please consult your healthcare provider.
  • Contains dairy (cheddar cheese)
  • Contains gluten (flour tortillas)
  • Contains eggs (mayo)

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

Nutritional values are carefully calculated estimates. For precise dietary needs, please consult a nutritionist.
  • Calories: 350
  • Total Fat: 22 g
  • Total Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Protein: 18 g