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Smash Burger Tacos Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 115 reviews

Smash Burger Tacos combine juicy, thinly pressed ground beef patties cooked inside soft flour tortillas with vibrant toppings including a smoky street corn salad and a creamy jalapeno-cilantro sauce. This inventive twist on traditional tacos offers a perfect balance of smoky, creamy, tangy, and spicy flavors to elevate your taco night.

Ingredients

Scale

Burger and Tortilla

  • 1.5 lbs ground hamburger (80/20)
  • 6 flour taco-sized tortillas
  • salt and pepper to taste

Street Corn Topping

  • 5–6 ears of corn (husked and removed from the cob)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 lime, juiced and zested
  • 1/3 cup sliced scallions
  • 1/3 cup grated cojita cheese
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, minced (large stems removed)
  • 1 jalapeno, diced
  • 1/2–1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2–1 teaspoon Tajin seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • salt and pepper to taste

Creamy Jalapeno Sauce

  • 3/4 cup cilantro leaves (large stems removed)
  • 1/2 cup pickled jalapenos
  • 2 tablespoons juice from pickled jalapenos
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 heaping tablespoon dry ranch seasoning (Hidden Valley or similar)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk (optional, to thin sauce)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Street Corn Topping: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the husked corn kernels and cook, stirring frequently, until they develop char marks and become tender, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
  2. Mix Street Corn Sauce: In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, lime juice, lime zest, minced garlic, Tajin seasoning, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well to create a flavorful sauce.
  3. Combine Street Corn Salad: Add the cooled charred corn, cilantro, scallions, diced jalapeno, and grated cojita cheese to the sauce. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly. Optionally, top with extra cojita, Tajin, and chili powder for added flavor.
  4. Make Creamy Jalapeno Sauce: Using a food processor or blender, purée cilantro leaves with pickled jalapenos and 2 tablespoons of their pickling juice until finely minced, scraping down the sides as needed.
  5. Mix Sauce Base: In a mixing bowl, blend mayonnaise and sour cream. Add ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and salt, mixing well to combine.
  6. Combine Jalapeno Mixture: Pour the puréed cilantro and jalapeno mixture into the sour cream base. Stir to combine, then add fresh lime juice. If the sauce is too thick, thin with buttermilk one splash at a time until desired consistency is reached.
  7. Form Smash Burgers on Tortillas: Divide ground beef into 3.5-ounce portions. Place each portion onto a 6-inch flour tortilla and press into a thin, even layer, slightly overlapping the tortilla edges to accommodate shrinking during cooking. Season top with salt and pepper.
  8. Cook Smash Burgers: Heat a griddle or large skillet over high heat. Place the tortillas with beef side down on the hot surface. Using a spatula or burger press, firmly press down each tortilla. Cook without moving for 2-3 minutes until browned and crisp on the bottom. Carefully scrape under the burger with a spatula and flip to cook the tortilla side for an additional 1-2 minutes.
  9. Assemble Tacos: Remove the cooked smash burgers from the pan. Top each with a scoop of the prepared street corn salad, creamy jalapeno sauce, a dash of hot sauce if desired, and a sprinkle of cojita or queso fresco cheese. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For a spicier sauce, increase the amount of pickled jalapenos or add extra diced fresh jalapenos in the street corn topping.
  • Buttermilk in the creamy jalapeno sauce is optional and used only if thinning is needed.
  • Use a heavy spatula or burger press to achieve a good sear on the smash burgers inside the tortillas.
  • Flour tortillas should be about 6 inches to fit the 3.5-ounce patties properly during smashing.
  • Serve immediately after assembling to enjoy the crisp textures and fresh flavors.

Keywords: smash burger tacos, street corn topping, creamy jalapeno sauce, quick taco recipe, easy taco dinner

Find it online: https://cookwithlea.com/smash-burger-tacos-recipe/