Smash Tacos are pressed and cooked on a hot griddle to give the meat a crispy crust and juicy interior. A layer of cheese, followed by a crispy tortilla and your favorite toppings, makes them unique and unstoppably delicious!
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Why You’ll Love This Smash Burger Tacos Recipe
- A New Way to Taco. Imagine if Ground Beef Tacos and Smash Burgers got together and had a baby. That’s basically the idea behind smash tacos. Tortillas are layered with cheese and beef, then smashed onto a hot griddle or skillet for a crispy, perfectly browned filling.
- Crispy, Crunchy Goodness. The pressing and cooking process results in a crispy crust on the outside of the beef, which seals in the tenderness and juiciness inside. Needless to say, these smash tacos are always a smashing hit!
- Easy 10-Minute Dinner. Smash tacos cook up SUPER fast since we’re smashing the meat thin and cooking it at a high temperature. This is a dinner that comes together lickety-split—from start to finish, it’s done in 10 minutes!
How to Make Smash Tacos
The Ingredients
- Lean Ground Beef. Lean ground beef has the perfect amount of fat to deliver that crispiness we want without being overly greasy.
- Seasonings. Chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, kosher salt and black pepper—all those classic taco seasonings!
- Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend. Or another cheese you like on your tacos. (Pepper jack would be fantastic too!)
- Flour Tortillas. You can use corn tortillas for gluten-free smash tacos, but in my recipe testing, I’ve found they fall apart more easily. (If you do want to use them, I suggest using two corn tortillas per taco and adding the second tortilla after removing the smash taco from the pan.)
- Oil. Use an oil with a high smoke point like canola.
- Toppings. All your taco favorites! Lettuce, sour cream or Greek yogurt, and diced tomatoes for traditional taco vibes, or lean into the smash burger of it all with ketchup, mustard, and Refrigerator Pickles.
The Directions
- Prepare. Divide the meat into loosely-packed balls. Mix the seasonings in a small bowl.
- Start Layering. Sprinkle cheese on top of each tortilla.
- Add the Beef. Place a ball of ground beef over the cheese, then spread it over the cheese.
- Season. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the top.
- Cook the First Side. Place the tacos beef-side-down into a hot skillet coated with oil. Smash with a spatula.
- Flip. After the meat is browned and crisp, flip and cook the other side for 2 minutes more. Repeat with the rest of the smash tacos. Add your favorite toppings and ENJOY!
What to Serve with Smash Tacos
- Toppings. For traditional taco toppings, you can’t beat Guacamole and Salsa Roja.
- Fries. Homemade Fries or Sweet Potato Fries are fabulous sides too!
- Corn. I love Grilled Corn slathered with butter and Tajín as a side for tacos, or make this Mexican Street Corn Quinoa Salad.
- Rice and Beans. Brown rice with a squeeze of lime juice and Crock Pot Pinto Beans are a great way to round out a smash taco dinner.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Use a Griddle if You Have One. A long stovetop griddle (the kind that comes with your stove) is ideal because it will allow you to cook a few tacos at a time.
- Make Sure the Skillet (or Griddle) Is HOT. For the best crispy, browned crust, ensure your skillet is sizzling hot before adding the meat. A cast-iron skillet works particularly well, as it retains heat and cooks more evenly.
- Press Firmly and Evenly. When smashing the taco, use a metal spatula or burger press to ensure the meat is spread evenly across the tortilla. The goal is to spread the meat as thin as possible to maximize the crispy factor.
Smash Tacos
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 6 tacos
Smash tacos are pressed on a hot griddle, creating a crispy, flavorful crust that makes them next-level delish. EASY 10-minute dinner recipe!
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Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 6 small flour tortillas or corn but corn falls apart more easily
- Oil for cooking
- Toppings of choice
Instructions
- Divide the beef into 6 loose balls.
- In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and cayenne.
- Place a tortilla on a work surface and top with a handful of cheese. Place a beef ball in the center, then use your fingers to spread it into a thin, even layer on top of the cheese. Repeat with remaining tacos, then sprinkle the seasonings on top.
- Heat a large cast iron or nonstick skillet over medium high. Once it’s good and hot, drizzle in a little oil and stir to coat. Quickly drop the tortilla beef-side down, then with the back of a very sturdy spatula or a burger press, smash the tortilla into the meat, twisting back and forth a bit, so the beef spreads even more thinly. Cook on the first side until the meat is browned and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Flip and cook on the other side until the tortilla is golden, about 2 minutes more. Carefully transfer to a plate, then enjoy with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- TO STORE: Smash tacos aren’t ideal for storing and reheating, but leftovers can be placed in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Toppings should be stored separately.
- TO REHEAT: Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat, then add your desired toppings.
Nutrition
Serving: 1tacoCalories: 258kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 24gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 58mgPotassium: 370mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 694IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 279mgIron: 4mg
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This was a fun and tasty recipe to make. Huge hit at the dinner table tonight. I don’t know if we will make “normal” tacos again. I used a gluten free tortilla since I can’t have flour. We did all the toppings and even my kids thought it was a fun meal and gobbled it up!
Makes me so happy to hear, thank you Regine!
Made these for our late lunch earlier. We are big smash burger fans but sometimes it just feels heavy and when I saw these they looked so perfect with the tortilla. Everyone enjoyed them and they were so much easier for my kids to hold than a big burger bun. I love the fact we can find lower carb tortillas too which makes it feel healthier! Will absolutely be making it on a regular basis!
So happy to hear, thank you Jackie!
I loved this recipe. The seasoning was perfect and it was a delicious way to do a burger.
My husband had different thoughts though. It was a little messier than we anticipated.
Great to hear, thank you Theresa!
I made these tacos for dinner tonight, and they were delicious! I have been a crunch shell girlie my entire life. I really enjoyed these smash tacos, and my husband was over the moon for them. Thanks for another quick and easy recipe.
Great to hear, thank you Sabrina!