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Crispy Smash Burger Tacos with Easy Special Sauce

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These crispy smash burger tacos combine juicy smashed beef, melted cheese, and a tangy special sauce on a shatteringly crisp corn tortilla. Ready in under 20 minutes, they’re the perfect weeknight indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20)
  • 8 corn tortillas (6-inch)
  • 8 slices American cheese
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) neutral oil (avocado or canola)
  • ½ cup (120g) mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons (30g) ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons (30g) sweet pickle relish
  • 1 tablespoon (15g) yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon (5ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce (iceberg or romaine)
  • ½ cup diced tomatoes (Roma, seeds removed)
  • ½ cup dill pickle slices (thin)
  • ¼ cup white onion, finely diced

Instructions

  1. Make the special sauce: In a small bowl, combine ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, ½ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, and 1 teaspoon hot sauce (if using). Whisk until smooth. Cover and refrigerate while preparing other ingredients.
  2. Prep the beef: In a medium bowl, combine 1 pound ground beef (80/20) with 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon onion powder. Mix gently with your hands. Divide into 8 equal portions (about 2 ounces/56g each) and roll into loose balls. Set aside.
  3. Prep the toppings: Shred lettuce, dice tomatoes (remove seeds), slice pickles, and dice onion. Arrange in small bowls.
  4. Preheat the pan: Place a cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon neutral oil and swirl to coat. Heat until oil shimmers and a drop of water sizzles violently, about 3 minutes.
  5. Cook the first batch: Place 4 corn tortillas flat in the hot pan. Working quickly, place a beef ball on each tortilla. Using a metal spatula, press down firmly to flatten the beef to about ¼-inch (6mm) thickness, spreading to the edges. Cook without moving for 2 minutes until edges are brown and lacy.
  6. Flip and add cheese: Slide spatula under each tortilla-beef combo and flip. Immediately place a slice of American cheese on the cooked beef. Cook for 1-2 minutes until cheese is melted and tortilla is golden and crisp.
  7. Rest and repeat: Transfer cooked tacos to a plate and let rest for 1 minute. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pan and repeat steps 5 and 6 with remaining tortillas and beef balls.
  8. Assemble and serve: Drizzle each taco generously with special sauce. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, pickle slices, and diced onion. Serve immediately.

Notes

The smash technique is key: press the beef firmly onto the tortilla in a screaming hot pan to create a seal that prevents sogginess. Keep beef cold until cooking. Use only one flip. Clean spatula between batches. These do not reheat well, so serve immediately.

Nutrition

Keywords: smash burger tacos, crispy tacos, burger tacos, easy dinner, weeknight dinner, ground beef recipe, special sauce

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/crispy-smash-burger-tacos-with-easy-special-sauce/