Introduction
I first saw this recipe on TikTok and thought it was just a gimmick. I was so wrong. It’s the perfect hybrid of a crispy-edged smash burger and an easy-to-hold taco, and it’s become a new weeknight favorite in my house. It’s fun, fast, and unbelievably delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A Viral Trend That Works: This one is 100% worth the hype.
- The Best of Both Worlds: You get the lacy, crispy beef of a smash burger and the convenience of a taco.
- Incredibly Fast: From start to finish, these are on the table in 15 minutes.
- Kid-Friendly & Fun: A fun way to eat burgers, and kids love to add their own toppings.
- Customizable: Top it just like your favorite burger.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 is best for flavor)
- 4-6 small flour tortillas
- 4-6 slices of American cheese
- Salt and black pepper
- For the “Burger Sauce”:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- For Toppings:
- Shredded iceberg lettuce
- Diced white onion
- Dill pickle slices
Instructions
- Divide the ground beef into 4-6 equal portions (about 3-4 oz each) and roll them into loose balls. Do not overwork the meat.
- In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, ketchup, and pickle relish to create the burger sauce.
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.
- Place one or two beef balls onto the hot skillet, leaving plenty of space.
- Immediately place a flour tortilla on top of each beef ball.
- Using a large, sturdy spatula, press down firmly on the tortilla, smashing the beef patty underneath into a thin, wide layer that spreads to the edges of the tortilla.
- Season the beef (which is now on top) with salt and pepper.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes, until you see the edges of the beef getting dark and crispy.
- Carefully slide the spatula under the beef and flip the entire thing over (tortilla-side down).
- Immediately place a slice of American cheese on top of the beef patty.
- Cook for 1-2 minutes more, just until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is lightly toasted and pliable.
- Remove from the skillet and top with shredded lettuce, diced onion, pickles, and a generous drizzle of the burger sauce. Fold and eat immediately.
Tips
The “smash” is the most important part. You must use a hot pan and press down hard and fast to get those signature crispy, lacy edges on the beef.