Ingredients
Meat and Seasonings
- 1 pound (450 g) ground beef (80/20 blend is ideal)
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Tortillas and Cheese
- 4 small flour tortillas
- 4 slices of cheddar cheese
Toppings and Garnishes
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- ⅓ cup pickles, sliced
- ⅓ cup diced red onion
- Burger sauce (to taste)
Cooking Oil
- 1 tablespoon oil (for the skillet)
Instructions
- Preheat skillet: Preheat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and lightly oil it to prevent sticking and promote a crispy crust on the patties.
- Season beef: In a bowl, mix the ground beef with salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce until well combined to infuse the meat with flavor.
- Portion beef: Divide the ground beef mixture into 4 equal portions and loosely roll each into a ball, which will be smashed on the skillet.
- Place and smash beef: Place one beef ball on the hot oiled skillet and immediately top it with a flour tortilla. Using a spatula, press down firmly to smash the beef flat, creating a crispy edge.
- Cook first side: Let the beef cook under the tortilla for 2–3 minutes until the edges are crispy and browned.
- Flip taco: In one motion, flip the entire taco (tortilla and beef together) over to cook the other side.
- Add cheese and melt: Place a slice of cheddar cheese on top of the cooked beef and cover the skillet with a lid to help the cheese melt and the tortilla to become golden, cooking for another 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Remove and assemble: Remove the taco from the heat and transfer it to a plate. Top each taco with shredded lettuce, pickles, diced red onion, and a drizzle of burger sauce to finish.
Notes
- Use an 80/20 blend of ground beef for optimal juiciness and flavor.
- Press the beef firmly to get those signature crispy edges typical of a smash burger.
- Covering the taco after flipping helps melt the cheese quickly without overcooking the meat.
- Feel free to add diced tomatoes or jalapeños for extra freshness and heat.
- Use medium-high heat to get a good sear but avoid burning the tortillas.
- Leftover smash burger tacos can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheated on a skillet.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American-Mexican Fusion