An enduring culinary mash-up that took TikTok by storm and continues to prevail combines two overwhelmingly popular dishes: burgers and tacos. This recipe has garnered so much interest that top food influencers, including Chrissy Teigen, have tried their hands at this viral dish. What exactly are smash burger tacos, and are they a must-try? Grab your fries and settle in as we learn all about it here.
What Are Smash Burger Tacos?
First things first—what exactly are these viral sensations? Smash burger tacos are classic cheeseburgers with all the fixings delivered in a taco package. It combines the technique of smash burgers with the convenience of a hand-held tortilla.
A burger patty is smashed onto the griddle underneath a tortilla. After it’s cooked, a quick flip reveals the meat, which is then layered with cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions, and any other burger toppings that meet your fancy. The original recipe also includes a classic special sauce like the one on a Big Mac. While everyone has their own take on this sauce, it typically features mayo, relish, mustard, and sometimes ketchup or a variety of seasonings.
This trend was imagined by grilling aficionado Brad Prose, who invented this dish for his sons as a creative twist on one of their favorite foods, the burger. After getting the stamp of approval from his kids, Prose spent ample time finessing the recipe before sharing it with the world on social media.
While the original version of this dish is not necessarily a healthy food, you can spin it in tons of ways to increase its nutritional value.
Is This Trend a Must-Try?
So, should you give this latest trend a try? If you love a Big Mac or classic cheeseburger, this is a must-try, as it has all the classic burger flavors, only in a slightly different package. However, if you are looking for a traditional taco or Mexican flavors, this recipe won’t be for you, as the only taco-like thing about it is the tortilla swap-out for the classic burger bun.
You Can Make This
If you’re raring to give it a try, it’s easy to put together. Before cooking, assemble your special sauce with whatever online recipe suits your fancy, but you’ll likely need to pick up mayo, ketchup, mustard, relish, and maybe even onion and some spices.
Then, take about ⅛ to ¼ of a pound of ground beef, roll it into a ball, and place it onto a griddle or hot cast iron pan. Place a tortilla on the beef ball and use a wide-set spatula to press down firmly, smashing the burger and tortilla together. Let that cook for three to five minutes. Then flip, add your cheese of choice (classic options are cheddar or American), and let that melt while the tortilla crisps, about two to three minutes.
Then, go wild with your favorite toppings. The original smash burger taco has lettuce, pickles, and special sauce, but you could add tomato, caramelized onion, and mushrooms—the options are limited only by your imagination. Next, fold the tortilla in half and enjoy! While you can keep your smash burger tacos warm in the oven, these are best served fresh from the pan, as they become soggy if they sit too long.
Prefer a Healthier Version?
You can take different avenues for a slightly healthier take on this trend. Instead of ground beef, opt for ground plant-based meat substitutes like Beyond Meat, ground chicken, or ground turkey. You could also swap the mayo for Greek yogurt in the special sauce. Plant-based cheeses or skipping the cheese can help cut down on cholesterol and saturated fat.
But, honestly, if you try this recipe, you might just want to go for it.
Whether you go full monty and enjoy it in its original glory or make some healthy swaps, the smash burger taco is a perfect quick weeknight meal or indulgent dinner after a long week. There’s no better way to keep things interesting in the kitchen than by trying new recipes, and this one is certainly worth it.