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Savory Smash Burger Tacos Recipe with Easy Creamy Special Sauce

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A quick and easy recipe combining crispy smashed beef patties, melty cheese, and a tangy creamy special sauce wrapped in soft tortillas for a flavorful twist on tacos and smash burgers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef, 80/20 blend
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 4 slices American cheese or cheddar
  • 8 small flour tortillas (6-inch size)
  • Pickles, thinly sliced
  • Shredded iceberg lettuce or cabbage
  • Diced tomatoes or pico de gallo (optional)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons finely diced dill pickles or sweet relish
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Pinch of garlic powder
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Make the Special Sauce: In a small bowl, combine ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons diced dill pickles (or sweet relish), 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, a pinch of garlic powder, and cayenne pepper if using. Stir well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate while you prepare everything else.
  2. Prep Toppings: Slice pickles thin, shred lettuce or cabbage, and dice tomatoes if using. Set aside for easy assembly later.
  3. Heat Your Skillet: Place a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and let it get very hot (3-5 minutes).
  4. Form and Smash the Patties: Divide the ground beef into 8 equal portions (about 2 ounces each). Roll each loosely into a ball. Place 2-3 balls in the hot skillet at a time, leaving space between them. Using a sturdy metal spatula, press each ball down firmly into a thin patty, roughly ¼ inch thick. Hold pressure for 10-15 seconds.
  5. Season and Cook: Sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper over each patty immediately. Let cook without moving for about 2-3 minutes until edges turn brown and crispy.
  6. Add Cheese and Flip: Place a slice of cheese on each patty. Carefully scrape under the patty with your spatula and flip it over. Cook another 30-45 seconds to melt the cheese and finish cooking.
  7. Warm the Tortillas: While finishing the patties, warm tortillas in a dry pan or microwave wrapped in a damp towel until soft and pliable.
  8. Assemble the Tacos: Spread a spoonful of creamy special sauce on each tortilla. Add a smashed burger patty with melted cheese, then top with sliced pickles, shredded lettuce, and diced tomatoes if desired.
  9. Serve Immediately: Enjoy fresh for maximum crispness and juicy flavor.

Notes

Use 80/20 ground beef for juicy patties. For gluten-free, substitute flour tortillas with corn tortillas or large lettuce leaves. The creamy special sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead and tastes better after resting. Warm tortillas wrapped in a damp towel to keep them soft. Avoid pressing patties after flipping to retain juices.

Nutrition

Keywords: smash burger tacos, creamy special sauce, quick tacos, easy dinner, ground beef tacos, crispy burger patties, taco recipe

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/savory-smash-burger-tacos-recipe-with-easy-creamy-special-sauce/