Quick Pan Fried Smash Burger Tacos with Ground Beef

This ridiculously delicious recipe is my spin on the popular smash burger tacos and it did not disappoint. Requiring just 5 minutes to cook, you get the most crispy and flavorful beef. The key here is topping like a burger, not a taco! I use shredded iceberg lettuce, tomatoes and my  homemade Big Mac Sauce is a must with these! The ease of this quick, flavor-packed and balanced meal makes it the perfect fun meal, any night of the week!

YOU GUYS! I am so excited to share my take on the popular Smashburger Tacos! As a Dietitian with focus on intuitive eating, I love to create and share recipes that are both nourishing and satisfying without sacrificing flavor, and today’s recipe is a perfect example. We first made these for friends after I had been seeing them make their rounds on Instagram. They were so insanely delish I knew I had to share them here with you!

My hubby Meik is a bit of a burger connoisseur. Haha and he cannot get enough of these! No joke, he has been asking me to make these at least once a week. 

This dish brings together the best of both worlds—the goodness of smash burgers and the fun vibe of tacos, all topped with my insanely easy Greek yogurt Big Mac Sauce. If you’re looking for a fresh twist on your favorite classics, these smash burger tacos are it!

Let’s dive into how to make these smash tacos!

What You Need For Smashburger Tacos

Ground Beef: I toyed with the idea of trying these out with turkey, but in my opinion, these are best with beef. That bit of extra fat in beef makes them so satisfying and creates the perfect crispy top layer. But of course you could always try them with ground turkey or chicken, or even a 50/50 combo of one of those with beef!

Spices (Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt & Pepper): Generously seasoning the beef is key to taking them to that next level of flavor! I also love the ease of using ground vs. fresh garlic and onion and in this case I think they actually work better, keeping the simple texture of the beef. 

Flour Tortillas: You could really use any tortillas you like. We are personally not the hugest fans of corn tortillas in our house so we always go for flour. The softer texture works really well with these tacos. The biggest thing to pay attention to is the tortilla size! You want to use small tortillas for this recipe (5 inches or smaller) otherwise they will be hard to fip and won’t cook as quickly or evenly.

Cheddar Cheese: Cheese is a must on a burger, right! I used white cheddar because I love the slightly stronger flavor. I do recommend using cheddar over another cheese to keep the classic flavor without taking away from the delicious beef flavor

Cooking Oil: You’ll want to use a high heat cooking oil to prevent smoking and burning. I used avocado oil but any high heat oil will do! Make sure not to add too much as the beef will also release fat as you cook, and too much in the pan can make the tortillas soggy.

Toppings – Lettuce, Tomatoes, Easy Big Mac Sauce: Add freshness, texture, and the iconic Big Mac flavor.

How To Make Smashburger Tacos

Mistakes and Fixes

Too Much Oil: If the pan gets too oily, wipe it out before flipping the tacos to avoid tacos getting too greasy or soggy.

Under Seasoned Beef: If the beef tastes bland, add some salt and pepper before serving!

Type of Beef: I recommend using 80/20 or lean ground beef for this recipe. Extra lean (90/10) can make for a bit of a dry patty, while regular ground beef (709/30) can release too much oil, making the tacos too oily, and potentially soggy.

Nutritional Benefits (Nutrition by Addition)

Before I jump into the smashburger nutrition, I want to talk about the philosophy of nutrition by addition, the nutrition philosophy I have found to be most helpful as a dietitian and intuitive eating counselor. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you’ll know I’m a huge fan of this philosophy focusing on what you can add to your plate versus what to cut out.

There was a time I would have felt so guilty about eating beef, let alone a beef burger or taco! Food guilt is a huge challenge my clients come to me with when first joining my Make Food Feel Good Program, which is why addressing food and diet rules and our mentality around food is one of the first pillars of the program. 

It’s important to know that there are no “bad” foods. There are foods that are more or less nutrient dense, and there may be times we opt for one or another, depending on whether our priority is nutrition, pleasure or a combo of both for that particular meal. 

Often, for both my clients and myself, it’s a combo of both. 

What does that look like? 

In this case, it may look like adding a delicious side salad to these tacos or your favorite burger (I love this kale caesar salad, and you can’t go wrong with the freshness of this fresh mango and cucumber salad with pretty much anything!)  

Or it could be adding veggies like diced cabbage right into the filling of these ground beef lettuce wraps (which are perfect for meal prep by the way!) 

The bottom line is there is no right or wrong, it’s about checking in with what would taste good, feel good and be satisfying. Considering all three allows us to honor both our health and nutrition, without any strict rules or restrictions. 

Ok, let’s chat about the nutrition of these ingredients!

Ground Beef is a staple in these tacos, ground beef is rich in high-quality protein, essential for muscle repair and growth. It’s also a good source of iron and zinc, which are crucial for maintaining a healthy immune system and overall metabolism.

Cheddar Cheese adds calcium and protein, which are important for bone health and muscle function. The fat in cheese also contributes to the satiety of this meal. Fat slows our gastric emptying (rate our stomach empties after eating). Lending to more stable blood sugar levels, and keeping us full longer after eating! 

Lettuce & Tomatoes: These fresh vegetables increase the tacos fiber content and vitamin C.

Easy Big Mac Sauce: Leveraging the nourishing benefits of Greek yogurt, which includes probiotics for gut health, calcium to support bone strength, and a good source of protein (almost 25 grams per cup), this sauce not only enhances the flavor and texture balance of this dish, but also boosts the overall nutritional content!

Recipe, Kitchen, & Time Saving Hacks

Batch Prep: Cook multiple tacos at once to save time. Keep them warm in the oven while you finish cooking.

Customize Your Toppings: Experiment with different toppings like avocado or pickled onions for extra flavor and nutrition.

Use Leftovers: Any leftover beef can be repurposed for salads or wraps the next day, making meal planning a breeze.

If you make these Smashburger Tacos with Easy Big Mac Sauce, it would make my day if you would leave a comment and/or star rating below— I love hearing your feedback! And don’t forget to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram @lindsaypleskot.rd so I can see your versions! It makes me so happy to see these recipes come to life in your kitchens! Xo

Print