Tex Mex Smash Burger Tacos
These viral TikTok smash burger tacos are worth the hype! My Tex-Mex take adds bold flavor and a spicy kick to the classic.
or read on for step-by-step instructions with photos
What Are TikTok Smash Burger Tacos?
TikTok smash burger tacos became a hit in early 2023, quickly going viral for their delicious fusion of a smash burger with a taco.
The idea is pretty simple: ground beef is smashed right onto a tortilla as it cooks, creating a crispy, juicy beef layer that sticks to the tortilla.
Then, the taco gets topped with classic burger fixings - the Big Mac-inspired version being the most popular.
Most Common Ingredients for Smash Burger Tacos
Ground Beef
Flour Tortillas
Cheddar Cheese
Lettuce
Pickles
Big Mac Sauce
Onions
Tomatoes
Salt and Pepper
Garlic Powder
My Version
Of course, I had to try these myself being a big fan of smash burgers and tacos - who isn’t? But, I put my own Tex-Mex spin on these for a little regional flair.
Here’s what you’ll need for my version:
Medium ground beef - provides enough fat for a juicy, flavorful patty and is seasoned simply with salt and pepper to let the multitude of toppings shine.
Corn tortillas - complement the rest of the toppings with their crispy texture and traditional Mexican flavor.
Aged cheddar cheese - delivers a rich, tangy flavor that melts nicely.
Bacon - adds a smoky crunch that enhances the overall taste.
Tex-Mex burger sauce - a sauce made with crema and Tajin that adds a touch of spice and tanginess, tying everything together.
White onion - gives a fresh, crisp bite and a touch of sharpness.
Tomato - adds a juicy, sweet element to balance the savory flavors.
Pickled jalapenos - for a tangy and spicy kick.
Salsa Roja - a traditional Mexican red salsa that adds a rich, smoky flavor. I used the Herdez brand canned “Salsa Taquera” (taco sauce) pictured below.
Salsa Verde - a Mexican green salsa made with tomatillos that provides a zesty and fresh contrast to the red salsa. I also went with the Herdez brand for this one, pictured below.
So there are quite a few toppings, but these turned out so incredibly good! Every bite was a harmony of textures and flavors. The corn tortillas also made a huge difference in terms of texture and authentic flavor - so opt for those if you can.
These smash burger tacos are a blank canvas, so after you try them my way, feel free to experiment with different flavors. Check out my smash burger topping variations at the end of this article for more inspiration.
What you’ll need
Ingredients
For the burgers:
10 ounces medium ground beef
4 x 6-inch corn tortillas (fajita size)
4 ounces aged cheddar cheese, sliced
salt & pepper
olive oil
Tex-Mex burger sauce:
1 tablespoon tajin
3 tablespoons crema (or sour cream)
Optional toppings:
4 slices bacon, diced small and cooked until crispy
½ white onion, diced small
1 plum tomato, diced small
pickled jalapeno slices
salsa roja
salsa verde
Equipment
Large skillet
Aluminum foil or a lid
Knife & cutting board
Small bowl and spoon
Makes: 2 portions (2 tacos each)
Prep: 5 min Cook: 10 min
How to make it
Step 1
Prep the sauce, toppings, and ground beef.
Start by mixing the Tajin and crema to make the burger sauce. Taste and add a little salt if needed.
Next, prep any optional toppings you plan to use and have them ready to go for serving.
Then, shape the ground beef into 4 equal balls. Place each one on a tortilla and flatten them out evenly, pressing just a bit past the edges since the meat will shrink as it cooks.
Season with salt and pepper.
Step 2
Cook the burgers.
Heat a large skillet over high heat and add a little olive oil to coat the pan. Place the burgers meat side down in the pan, pressing down with a spatula to make sure they get solid contact with the pan for a good crust.
Cook until you see a nice crust form, about 2 minutes. Then flip them over, add the cheese, cover with a lid or aluminum foil, and cook for another minute until the cheese is melted.
If, like me, your pan isn’t big enough, cook in two batches.
Step 3
Serve.
As soon as the cheese melts, it's time to serve! Top with the Tex-Mex burger sauce and any optional toppings you like.
My tips
Use high heat - high heat is key to getting a crispy, caramelized crust on your burgers. Preheat the skillet until it’s almost smoking before adding the meat.
Use the right pan - a cast iron or heavy-bottomed stainless steel pan is ideal for even heat distribution and a perfect sear. Avoid flimsy non-stick pans for this recipe.
Smash burgers 2 ways - you can either press the burger patties directly onto the tortillas before cooking like in this recipe or press them in the pan. For the pan method, place a ball of meat in the pan, cover it with a tortilla, and press down with a spatula to flatten the patty.
Serve immediately - serve the burgers right off the skillet to enjoy them at their crispiest. The texture and flavor are best when they’re fresh and hot.
Don’t use too much meat - use about 2 - 3 ounces of meat per patty for the perfect smash burger. Too much meat makes the patty thick, less crispy, and harder to fold like a taco.
Substitutions
Meat - avoid lean meats like turkey or chicken, as they can dry out when smashed thin. Instead, opt for ground meat with 20% fat content. Pork is a good alternative, or try chorizo sausage meat for a bold Mexican flavor.
Tortillas - you can use flour tortillas instead of corn, but they won’t have the authentic toasty corn flavor or the extra crispiness.
Seasoning - feel free to spice it up beyond salt and pepper. Try Mexican chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, or chipotle powder.
Tajin - substitute with chili powder and a little lime zest for a similar flavor.
Cheese - substitute with Monterey Jack, Swiss, or American cheese.
Storage
These burger tacos are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
To reheat, lightly mist or sprinkle with a bit of water, then warm them tortilla side down in a covered non-stick frying pan until heated through. This helps re-crisp the tortillas.
Dietary Notes: Gluten-free, Egg-free, High-protein
That’s it, enjoy!
The first time we tried this recipe, we stuck to the more traditional toppings like cheese, pickles, onions, and burger sauce. But it was a lot of fun mixing up the toppings and trying a Tex-Mex twist this time around.
Here’s a little inspiration for some other great flavor combinations you can try out on your next smash burger tacos.
Smash Burger Topping Variations
Classic American - lettuce, tomato, pickles, ketchup, mustard, onions, and American cheese.
BBQ - cheddar cheese, crispy onion rings, BBQ sauce, bacon, pickles, and coleslaw.
Greek - feta cheese, tzatziki sauce, red onion, and tomato.
Breakfast Burger - fried egg, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and sriracha mayo.
Mushroom & Swiss - sautéed mushrooms, swiss cheese, caramelized onions, garlic aioli, and arugula.
Italian - mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce, fresh basil, and hot pickled peppers.
No matter what toppings you choose, these smash burger tacos are a sure hit!
Summary
Smash Burger Tacos Recipe
These TikTok smash burger tacos are trending for a reason! My Tex-Mex twist brings bold flavors and a spicy kick you’ll love.
Makes: 2 portions (2 tacos each)
Prep: 5 min Cook: 10 min
Ingredients
For the burgers:
10 ounces medium ground beef
4 x 6-inch corn tortillas (fajita size)
4 ounces aged cheddar cheese, sliced
salt & pepper
olive oil
Tex-Mex burger sauce:
1 tablespoon tajin
3 tablespoons crema (or sour cream)
Optional toppings:
4 slices bacon, diced small and cooked until crispy
½ white onion, diced small
1 plum tomato, diced small
pickled jalapeno slices
salsa roja
salsa verde
Instructions
Prep sauce and ingredients. Mix Tajin and crema to make the burger sauce, adjusting with salt as needed. Prep any optional toppings and shape the ground beef into 4 balls. Place each ball on a tortilla, flattening it slightly past the edges - season with salt and pepper.
Cook the patties. Heat a skillet over high heat and add a touch of olive oil. Place the burgers meat side down, pressing with a spatula to ensure solid contact with the pan. Cook for about 2 minutes until a crust forms, then flip, add cheese, cover, and cook for another minute to melt the cheese. Cook in batches if needed.
Serve. Once the cheese is melted, serve immediately. Top with Tex-Mex burger sauce and your choice of optional toppings.
Top Tips
Use high heat to get a crispy, caramelized crust. Preheat the skillet until it's almost smoking before adding the meat.
Use a cast iron or heavy-bottomed stainless steel pan for an even sear. Avoid flimsy non-stick pans.
Smash the burgers either directly on the tortillas or in the pan with a tortilla on top and use a spatula to press them down.
What’s your favorite twist on smash burger tacos? Share your top toppings or variations in the comments below.
Enjoy!
