These delicious hamburger tacos starts with a juicy, seasoned ground beef patty that’s smashed on a hot griddle or skillet to achieve a crispy, caramelized exterior. Instead of a traditional bun, the burger is served in a soft, warm tortilla, creating the perfect handheld treat. Topped with classic burger fixings like melted cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and a drizzle of special sauce or tangy salsa, the smash burger taco combines the best of both worlds in every bite—savory, crunchy, and tasty.
Have extra hamburger, try these old-fashioned stuffed bell peppers recipe!
The most important part of making Hamburger Tacos is achieving a perfect sear on the beef patty. Searing locks in the juices and creates a flavorful, crispy crust that contrasts beautifully with the soft taco shell.
Ingredient Notes
- Ground Beef – You want to use a beef with enough fat to be flavorful. I suggest an 80/20 ground beef for best flavor.
- Burger Sauce – A big plus for making your own sauce, is you won’t have any waste. However if you prefer, you can purchase already made Burger sauce from the local grocery store. Add a bit of hot sauce or sriracha to the burger sauce if you like a spicy kick.
- Tortillas – Small flour tortillas are perfect.
- Cheese – American cheese is classic for that melted goodness, I like to use cheddar for a slightly sharper flavor.
Smashing Technique
Use a sturdy spatula and press down firmly to a thin patty and those crispy edges.
You can also easily make more hamburger tacos by multiplying the recipe ingredients!
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Hamburger Tacos
Ingredients
For Taco
- ¼ pound ground beef
- salt and pepper to season
- 2 small flour tortillas
- 2 tablespoons cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 tablespoon onions chopped
- ¼ cup iceberg lettuce shredded
For Sauce
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons dill pickle relish
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon white vinegar
- ⅛ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- 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.
- Seasoning the ground beef with salt and pepper. Then, divide it into 2 equal sized balls. Take each meatball and press it down into a thin patty.
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Transfer the burger to the skillet and immediately place a tortilla over the meat.
- Cook the burger on one side for about 2 minutes until the beef begins to brown. 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 2 minutes, or until the burger is fully cooked
- Remove the hamburger taco from the skillet and set it aside. Repeat this process for the remaining taco.
- To assemble each taco,divide the shredded iceberg lettuce and onions on top of the burger.
- Drizzle the prepared sauce over the toppings. Adjust the sauce amount according to your taste.
- Fold the tortilla in half, creating a taco shape.
Nutrition Disclaimer
I am not a certified Dietitian or Nutritionist. The nutrition amounts given below is an estimate only and provided as a general guide only.