Name: Smash Burger Tacos
Prep time: 7 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (I recommend 80/20 or 85/15 fat percentages); ½ to 1 tsp sea salt (or to taste); black pepper (to taste); ⅓ tsp garlic powder (optional, to taste); cheddar cheese (or fast melting cheese, low fat); shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced onion, pickles; 6 whole wheat tortillas (6 inch diameter); homemade Big Mac Sauce

Jump to Recipe Rate Recipe

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

These Smash Burger Tacos have a juicy, crusted beef patty nestled in a crispy tortilla. Quick and easy to make in just 15 minutes, Big Mac Tacos are packed with protein and flavor. Enjoy them with melted cheese, briny pickles, and homemade burger sauce for a delicious and satisfying meal.

What are smash burger tacos?
Ingredients and notes
How to make smash burger tacos
Success tips
Storage directions
More meaty recipes
Smash Burger Tacos Recipe

What are smash burger tacos?

A smash burger taco is made by cooking ground beef on a griddle or skillet inside a crispy tortilla. Press the meat down with the tortilla so it spreads out thinly. Let it cook for a few minutes without moving it, then flip it over and cook the other side until the wrap is crispy. Serve with cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, and burger sauce.

This smash burger taco recipe is perfect for satisfying a protein-packed fast food craving at home, making a quick lunch, or as a hit on game day and parties with friends. They’re delicious, easy to make, and so versatile. Pair them with sides such as air fryer sweet potato fries or low calorie fries for a complete meal. Whether you’re looking for a casual date night option or a crowd-pleasing dish, these Big Mac tacos are the solution.

Ingredients and notes

To make the viral smash burger tacos at home, you will only need a handful of simple ingredients. I have included the complete list of ingredients with quantities in the recipe card down below. But for the moment, here are some details.

Ground beef. I used and recommend 85/15 ground beef. It is relatively low in fats but it still has the right amount to ensure that the meat tastes rich and juicy. Fat-free beef tends to become tough and rubbery. Avoid using burger patties, as they would be too thick.

Low calorie meat replacement. You can also make smash burger tacos using ground turkey or ground chicken as a replacement for beef. White meat such as turkey and chicken contains more protein, less fat and fewer calories. However, it does not have the same rich, beefy taste of ground beef.

Vegan meat replacement. Substitute ground beef with plant based ground meat such as Beyond Beef or Impossible meat.

Meat seasonings. Salt, freshly ground black pepper and garlic powder will season the beef, making it taste like real burgers. Feel free to include other seasonings such as onion powder or dried herbs.
Wheat tortillas. You’ll need 6 inch diameter tortilla wraps, the ones for tacos. I prefer wholewheat tortillas, but you can also use corn tortillas or low carb keto wraps.

MattsfitChef’s tip. I recommend making Big Mac tacos with flour tortillas because they absorb more flavors and crisp up nicely. Additionally, the beef patty sticks better to flour wraps in comparison to corn tortillas.

Fast-melting cheese. For a topping, I recommend using fast-melting cheese such as cheddar, mozzarella, provolone, or Swiss. If you prefer a vegan option, choose dairy-free cheese. In this recipe, I used low-fat shredded cheddar cheese.
Veggies. Shredded lettuce, juicy diced tomatoes, sliced onion and dill pickle chips for a smash burger tacos Big Mac experience.
Burger sauce. As a sauce for the tacos I used my easy copycat Big Mac sauce. It goes so well with juicy beef, briny pickles and crispy tortillas.

How to make smash burger tacos

Step 1 – Season. Add ground beef, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to a large bowl. Using a fork or spatula, gently stir to season the meat, being careful not to over-mix. Over-mixing can cause the patties to become dry, so mix just enough to incorporate the seasonings.
Step 2 – Prep. Divide the beef into 6 equal portions (about 2.6 ounces or 75 grams each) and place them over a plate. Refrigerate while preheating the griddle or skillet.
Step 3 – Preheat. Preheat a griddle or a skillet over medium-high heat.

Step 4 – Cook. When the griddle is hot, place a portion of the beef on the surface and top with a tortilla. Using a smashing tool, flatten the beef as thin as possible. Let cook undisturbed for 3 to 5 minutes, then flip and cook on the other side for 2 minutes more.

You can press down the beef using a smashing tool such as a burger press, a heavy pot with thick bottom, or a cast-iron skillet. Avoid smashing burgers with your hands, as it does not spread out evenly – and you may burn your fingers.

Step 5 – Top. Top with shredded cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onion and pickles. Remove from the heat and serve smashed burger tacos with a drizzle of homemade Big Mac Sauce.

Success tips

For the best results, use ground beef with a 80/20 or 85/15 fat ratio when making burgers. Avoid ground beef with a lower fat content, as it can lead to dry and tough patties. The higher fat content ensures your burgers will be flavorful, juicy, and meaty tender.
When pressing down the beef patties, aim to make them as thin as possible. Ideally, the smashed burger should cover the entire surface of your tortilla. This technique ensures the burger becomes crispy and crusted on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside.
Do not add excessive amounts of oil to the griddle or pan, as the grease will make your tacos soft and soggy. To prevent them from sticking, cook the tacos over a non-stick griddle or skillet.
Cook the smash taco burger undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes on one side. Then, flip and cook for an additional 2 minutes on the other side. Leaving the beef undisturbed during the initial cooking helps develop a crust on the burger, while cooking with the tortilla side down crisps the wrap to perfection.
If you are preparing multiple smash burger tacos, keep them warm in a hot oven set to 210°F (100°C) as they cook. This will maintain their warmth and prevent them from becoming soft and soggy.

Storage directions

To store leftovers. Allow the tacos to cool completely to room temperature first, then place leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat them in a hot skillet, over the griddle, or in hot oven.

To freeze. For a longer storage, let the tacos cool completely, then wrap each taco individually in plastic wraps or aluminum foil. Transfer your wrapped tacos to zipper bags or in a food container and freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm in the oven or skillet until heated through.

More meaty recipes

Save Pin Print

5 from 1 vote