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Crispy Smash Burger Tacos Recipe Easy Homemade with Creamy Special Sauce

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These Crispy Smash Burger Tacos combine the crunch of smashed burger patties with soft taco shells and a creamy special sauce, creating a quick and delicious comfort food perfect for casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil or canola oil
  • 8–10 small soft taco shells or street taco-sized tortillas (flour or corn)
  • 1 cup (100g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
  • 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion (optional)
  • 1/4 cup pickles or sliced jalapeños
  • Creamy Special Sauce:
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional)

Instructions

  1. Make the special sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, smoked paprika, apple cider vinegar, and honey (if using). Cover and refrigerate while you prep the rest.
  2. Prep your toppings: Shred the iceberg lettuce, dice the tomatoes, slice the red onion thinly, and prepare pickles or jalapeños. Keep chilled until assembly.
  3. Heat your skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Add vegetable oil and heat until shimmering but not smoking, about 2 minutes.
  4. Form the beef balls: Divide ground beef into 8 equal portions and gently roll into loosely packed balls.
  5. Smash the patties: Place a beef ball on the hot skillet and press down firmly with a spatula or burger press until about 1/4-inch thick. Season immediately with salt and pepper. Repeat with 3-4 patties at a time, leaving space between them.
  6. Cook the patties undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until edges are brown and crispy. Flip carefully and immediately top each patty with a tablespoon of shredded cheddar cheese. Cook another 1-2 minutes until cheese melts and burger is cooked through but still juicy.
  7. Warm the taco shells in a dry skillet or wrapped in foil in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5 minutes.
  8. Assemble the tacos: Spread a spoonful of creamy special sauce inside each warmed shell, add a crispy smash burger patty, then pile on lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles or jalapeños. Drizzle with more sauce if desired.
  9. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Notes

Keep the pan hot before adding beef to get a crispy crust. Do not overwork the meat to keep patties tender. Season patties immediately after smashing. Use a heavy spatula for even smashing and flipping. Pat toppings dry to avoid soggy tacos. Warm taco shells just before assembly to keep them crisp. The special sauce tastes better after chilling for at least 30 minutes. Leftover tacos can be reheated in a skillet to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: smash burger, tacos, crispy burger, creamy special sauce, quick dinner, easy recipe, comfort food, burger tacos

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