Smash burger tacos – totally worth the hype and then some! This viral food trend lives up to every bit of its buzz. In this easy recipe, juicy ground beef is smashed directly into a tortilla, crisped to perfection, and then topped with classic burger fixings for the ultimate taco-burger hybrid. Think: all the best parts of a cheeseburger + taco night in one handheld bite.

A smash burger taco garnished with burger sauce, diced tomatoes, and shredded lettuce.

This recipe is…

Taco, meet burger. Burger, meet taco. You’re about to be besties. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and layered with your favorite toppings, this fun recipe is about to be your new weeknight favorite.

More Taco Recipes to Try

If you’re anything like us, tacos are a food group. Try these next:

…Or, if you’re still in a burger mood, give this Big Mac Salad a try — it’s protein-packed, veggie-forward, and topped with the best homemade burger sauce ever.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • So easy – No need to shape patties! The beef cooks right into the tortilla in one skillet for easy prep and cleanup.
  • Family-friendly – Everyone loves burgers and tacos. This one’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
  • Customizable – Make it gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free… whatever your fam needs.

Smash Burger Taco Ingredients

You only need a handful of ingredients for this taco recipe: ground beef, tortillas, and any toppings you love. Find ingredient notes (including substitutions and swaps) below.

All of the ingredients for smash burger tacos on a parchment paper surface.
  • Ground beef – we recommend 85/15 for the perfect fat-to-protein ratio, but any ground meat works (think: turkey, chicken, or pork).
  • Tortillas – flour tortillas or grain-free alternatives like Siete’s cassava flour tortillas work best for smash tacos. (Corn tends to crack.)
  • Burger sauce – while you can buy already made burger sauce at the store, I highly recommend making your own. This homemade burger sauce is the best.

A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Recipe Variations and Modifications

  • Make it dairy-free – skip the cheese or use your favorite plant-based meltable slices.
  • Make it gluten-free – use gluten-free flour tortillas. Mission makes a great one!
  • Make it grain-free – we love Siete Cassava Grain Free Flour Tortillas for a delicious, crispy result.

How to Make Smash Burger Tacos

This viral taco recipe comes together in under 20 minutes. Here’s how to make smash burger tacos:

A small portion of raw ground beef on a cast iron skillet.
A smash burger taco cooking on a cast iron skillet.

Step 1: In a large skillet over high heat, add the olive oil. Once the pan is hot, place one of the pieces of ground beef on the skillet.

Step 2: Top with a tortilla and smash the beef beneath the tortilla until it spreads out to the edges of the tortilla (it will shrink as it cooks, try to get it as thin as possible). Cook over medium-high heat for 4 minutes, then flip the tortilla and burger together so the beef is now facing up.

A smash burger taco cooking on a cast iron skillet.
A smash burger taco garnished with burger sauce, diced tomatoes, and shredded lettuce.

Step 3: Sprinkle the top of the cooked burger with salt and add a slice of cheese (if using). Let cook another 3 minutes, until the tortilla is golden and crispy.

Step 4: Plate with a spoonful of the burger sauce, sprinkle of lettuce, and some fresh tomato. Fold and enjoy!

Recipe Tip

Start with a hot pan! This helps create the signature crispy edges on both the burger and tortilla that make these tacos so addictive.

How to Serve

You can top your smash tacos just like you would your favorite cheeseburger. Some of our favorite toppings include:

How to Store and Reheat

To store: Let leftover tacos cool completely. Store meat-filled tortillas in an airtight container, and keep toppings separate to maintain freshness.

To reheat:

  • Fastest method: Microwave for 30–45 seconds, uncovered.
  • Best method: Reheat the unfolded taco in a hot skillet for 2-3 minutes per side until crispy.

A smash burger taco garnished with burger sauce, diced tomatoes, and shredded lettuce.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size tortillas for smash tacos?

We used 8-inch tortillas, but any soft tortilla between 6–8 inches will work well.

What to have with smash burger tacos?

Eat a few of these hybrid tacos on their own (they’re filling and delicious!) or make some potato wedges or an arugula salad to serve alongside.

Smash burger tacos are the internet-famous food mashup we didn’t know we needed — and now can’t stop making. With a short ingredient list, easy method, and endless topping options, these are the perfect dinner to shake up your weeknight routine or impress guests at your next cookout.

If you tried this Smash Burger Tacos or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!

Smash Burger Tacos

No ratings yet
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 Tacos
Smash burger tacos – most definitely worth the hype! Ground beef gets smashed into a tortilla of your choosing, flipped when crispy, then the underside of the burger is cooked through the tortilla as they both get crispy together. Then, top with your favorite burger sauce and any fresh toppings you like.

Ingredients  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef, portioned into 4 pieces
  • 4 tortillas
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 4 slices cheddar cheese
  • 4 tablespoons burger sauce, for garnish
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce, for garnish
  • 1 tomato, chopped, for garnish

Instructions 

  • In a large skillet over high heat, add the olive oil.
  • Once the pan is hot, place one of the pieces of ground beef on the skillet. Top with a tortilla and smash the beef beneath the tortilla until it spreads out to the edges of the tortilla (it will shrink as it cooks, try to get it as thin as possible). Cook over medium/high heat for 4 minutes then flip the beef and tortilla as one.
  • Sprinkle the top of the cooked burger with sea salt and then place a piece of cheese (if you want cheese) over the beef. Cook for an additional 3 minutes.
  • Plate with a spoonful of the burger sauce, sprinkle of lettuce, and some fresh tomato. Fold, serve, and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

    • Make it dairy-free – to make this recipe dairy-free, nix the cheese altogether or grab a dairy-free equivalent.
    • Make it gluten-free – grab gluten-free flour tortillas to make this recipe gluten-free. Mission makes a yummy variation!

Nutrition

Calories: 417kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 935mg | Potassium: 531mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 568IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 4mg

Additional Info

Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 Tacos
Calories: 417
Keyword: smash burger tacos

Like this recipe?

Leave a comment

Recipe Contributors

Cassy Smiling

Cassy Joy Garcia

Recipe Developer

Brandi Headshot

Brandi Schilhab

Copywriter

Jessica Gaertner

Photographer



About the Author

Brandi Schilhab


More Like This

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating