If you love burgers and tacos equally, this recipe is your new obsession. Smash burger tacos are a genius fusion of two comfort food classics, featuring crispy, beefy goodness pressed right into a soft tortilla, then topped with all your favorite burger fixings. This viral TikTok trend went mainstream for a reason: it's ridiculously easy to make and impossibly satisfying.
With juicy seasoned beef, melty cheese, and that nostalgic burger sauce, these smash burger tacos are perfect for weeknight dinners, parties, or just treating yourself. Here’s how to make them at home.
Smash burger tacos are crispy, juicy, and full of flavor. The tortilla gets slightly crisp on the edges, the beef is smoky and seasoned, and the toppings add that familiar burger-shop crunch. Best of all, it takes less than 30 minutes start to finish!
Dice the onion and soak it in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow the sharpness. Dice the tomato and chop the lettuce into small pieces. Set aside.
In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef with cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hand until just combined, and don’t overwork it.
In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and sweet relish. Taste and adjust to your liking. Set aside.
Take a tortilla and press a thin layer of the seasoned beef onto one side. Use your hands or a spatula to spread it evenly, reaching all the way to the edges.
Heat a skillet over medium heat with a touch of oil. Place the tortilla beef-side down onto the hot skillet. Press gently and cook for about 1 minute until the beef gets crispy and browned. Flip the taco, add a slice of cheese, and cook for another 30 seconds to melt the cheese and warm the tortilla.
Remove from the skillet and immediately top with chopped lettuce, tomato, and drained onion. Drizzle with burger sauce, fold in half like a taco, and enjoy right away.