This delicious twist on classic burgers blends the juicy, savory flavors of a cheeseburger with the handheld fun of a taco. It’s a simple, family-friendly dinner that’s quick to make and always a crowd-pleaser. Whether you cook on a Blackstone griddle, a cast iron skillet, or a regular stovetop pan, these smashed cheeseburger tacos deliver big flavor with minimal fuss.
Your family is going to love this fun & easy trending dinner recipe!
Step 1Divide the ground beef and press a thin layer directly onto small flour tortillas. Season generously—Montreal steak seasoning works great, but salt and pepper are fine too.
Step 2Heat a griddle or pan to medium-high and lightly oil the surface. Place the tortillas meat-side down and cook for about 2 minutes, until the beef starts to brown and the tortilla begins to crisp. A Blackstone griddle lets you make many at once, but a cast iron or nonstick skillet works well too.
Step 3Flip the tortilla and immediately top the cooked beef with shredded cheese. Let it melt as the other side finishes cooking—usually just a minute or two. Watch closely: on a very hot surface this step happens fast.
Step 4Remove from heat and add your favorite burger toppings—shredded lettuce, diced tomato, pickles, and burger sauce are classic choices. For a quick sauce, mix mayo, ketchup, mustard, and a little pickle relish.
The result is a satisfying mix of textures and tastes: crispy tortilla edges, a thin seasoned beef crust, melty cheese, creamy sauce, and fresh toppings. Many people prefer this format to a traditional burger because each bite has more crispiness and concentrated beef flavor.
As it turns out, combining these two comfort foods is a smashing idea!
These smashed cheeseburger tacos are versatile and perfect for many occasions: quick weeknight dinners, casual gatherings, camping with a griddle, or summer cookouts. They’re easy to customize with different cheeses, sauces, or toppings to please picky eaters and adventurous ones alike.
Print Recipe
Smashed Cheeseburger Tacos
Ingredients
For the Burger Tacos
- 1 pound ground beef
- 6 taco size flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- seasoning of choice
- oil for greasing the cooking surface
Optional Big Mac Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 2 tbsp pickle relish
Toppings
- shredded lettuce
- tomato
- pickles
Instructions
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Mix mayo, ketchup, mustard, and relish in a small bowl if making the sauce. Store-bought burger sauce or your favorite condiments work fine too.
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Preheat a griddle or skillet to medium-high heat.
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Divide the ground beef into six portions and press each portion onto a tortilla to form a thin, even layer. Season to taste.
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Lightly grease the cooking surface. The amount of oil depends on your pan and beef fat—around 2 tablespoons on a large griddle is a good starting point.
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Place the tortillas meat-side down and cook for about 2 minutes.
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Flip, top with shredded cheese, and cook 1–3 more minutes until the tortilla is crisp and the beef is cooked through. Watch closely—tortillas can burn on very hot surfaces.
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Remove from heat, add toppings and sauce, fold, and enjoy.
Notes
- Thinly smashed beef cooks quickly; cooking both sides ensures it’s done through.
- Smash the beef to the edge of the tortilla—meat shrinks as it cooks.
- A Blackstone griddle or cast iron gives the best crisping, but a nonstick pan works if needed.
- Corn tortillas can be used, though they may be less sturdy.
- Shredded cheese melts faster than sliced cheese; covering briefly helps melt the cheese quickly.
- Leftovers reheat well in an air fryer at about 390°F for 4–6 minutes.
- Variation: use ground sausage and top with scrambled eggs for breakfast tacos.
If you like this yummy dinner idea, check out this list of 21 Fun & Easy Ground Beef Dinner Recipes!
