Street Corn Smash Burger Tacos Recipe
These Street Corn Smash Burger Tacos combine the rich, juicy flavors of smashed hamburger patties cooked inside a crispy flour tortilla with a zesty, creamy jalapeno sauce and a vibrant street corn topping. Charred corn mixed with tangy lime, spicy jalapenos, and crumbly cojita cheese creates a delicious and colorful topping that perfectly complements the savory burger. This easy skillet recipe is perfect for a fun weeknight meal or casual gathering.
- Author: lea
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 tacos 1x
- Category: Burgers & Sandwiches
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Burger and Tortillas
- 1.5 lbs ground hamburger 80/20
- 6 flour taco-sized tortillas
- 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 (e.g. Hidden Valley)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup buttermilk (optional, for thinning)
Street Corn Topping
- 5–6 ears of corn, husked and removed from the cob
- 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
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Prepare the Street Corn Topping: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the corn kernels and cook, stirring frequently, until the corn begins to char and get some color, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, lime juice and zest, minced garlic, Tajin, chili powder, salt, and pepper to make a creamy sauce. Add the cooked corn, cilantro, scallions, diced jalapeno, and grated cojita cheese to the bowl. Mix well until everything is combined. Optionally, top with extra cojita cheese, Tajin, and chili powder for garnish.
- Make the Creamy Jalapeno Sauce: In a food processor or blender, purée cilantro leaves with pickled jalapenos and their juice until finely minced, scraping down the sides as needed. In a separate bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sour cream, dry ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and salt until smooth. Add the cilantro-jalapeno purée and stir to combine. Finish by adding fresh lime juice and buttermilk a splash at a time to achieve desired consistency.
- Cook the Smash Burgers: Divide the ground beef into six equal portions (about 3.5 ounces each). Place each portion onto a flour tortilla shell and spread the meat evenly into a thin layer, slightly overlapping the edges of the tortilla since it will shrink during cooking. Season with salt and pepper. Heat a griddle or large skillet over high heat and cook the tortilla with burger side down. Using a spatula or burger press, firmly press down on the tortilla to smash the burger flat. Cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until crispy and browned. Carefully scrape under the tortilla with a spatula and flip to cook the other side for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Assemble the Tacos: Remove the cooked smash burger tacos from the skillet. Top each with a generous scoop of the street corn topping, a dollop of creamy jalapeno sauce, and an optional sprinkle of cojita or queso fresco cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy the vibrant mix of textures and flavors.
Notes
- For best flavor and ease of preparation, make the street corn topping and creamy jalapeno sauce a day or two in advance. They keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Adjust the amount of jalapenos and chili powders to your preferred heat level.
- To make the burgers crispier, press them firmly and cook undisturbed before flipping.
- Use fresh lime juice for the best bright citrus flavor.
- Optional buttermilk thins the creamy jalapeno sauce for easy drizzling; omit for thicker dip consistency.
Keywords: street corn smash burgers, burger tacos, creamy jalapeno sauce, street corn topping, crispy burger, easy taco recipe, skillet smash burgers