← Back to all recipes Dinner

Smash Burger Tacos

The #1 most demanded recipe of 2026, named in the National Restaurant Association's What's Hot Culinary Forecast. This viral fusion smashes a beef patty directly onto a tortilla in a screaming-hot skillet, creating crispy beef edges fused to a charred tortilla, then tops it with melted American cheese, crisp lettuce, pickled jalapenos, and a tangy special sauce.

Prep10 min
Cook15 min
Serves4

Ingredients

  • 500g ground beef, 80/20 fat ratio
  • 8 small flour tortillas, street taco size
  • 4 slices American cheese
  • 1 cup finely shredded iceberg lettuce
  • 1/2 cup finely diced white onion
  • 1/4 cup pickled jalapeno slices
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Special sauce: 3 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp white vinegar

Instructions

  1. 1. Mix all special sauce ingredients together in a small bowl and refrigerate while you cook.
  2. 2. Divide the ground beef into 8 balls, roughly 60g each. Do not season them yet.
  3. 3. Heat a cast iron skillet or heavy steel pan over the highest heat your stove allows until smoking. Add 1/4 tbsp butter and let it go golden.
  4. 4. Lay a tortilla flat in the pan. Place one beef ball directly on top and immediately press it firmly and flat with a heavy spatula so the beef spreads right to the tortilla's edge. Season the beef with salt and pepper.
  5. 5. Cook for 2 minutes without moving it, until the beef develops a deep brown crust and the tortilla crisps underneath.
  6. 6. Carefully flip the whole taco. Place a half-slice of American cheese on the beef. Cook 1 more minute until the cheese melts.
  7. 7. Transfer to a plate. Top with shredded lettuce, diced onion, pickled jalapenos, and a drizzle of special sauce. Repeat with remaining ingredients and serve immediately.
🍸 Suggested Cocktail Pairing
🍸
El Diablo
🌿 Gin🟢 Tequila

Tequila cocktails complement Mexican flavors naturally — the citrus and agave echo the cuisine's brightness.

A gorgeous deep-red tequila cocktail — blanco tequila, crème de cassis (black currant liqueur), lime, and ginger beer. The cassis adds berry sweetn...

View Cocktail Recipe →
← Back to all recipes

🛒 Recommended Kitchen Essentials

Instant Pot View on Amazon →
Cast Iron Skillet View on Amazon →
Spice Grinder View on Amazon →
Immersion Blender View on Amazon →

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.