Smash Burger Tacos are a crispy, thin, beautifully crusted beef patty inside a golden tortilla with a zippy burger sauce, cheese, lettuce, and pickles. Ready in 15 minutes.
Use 80/20 beef for the juiciest, crispiest patty; leaner blends turn out drier. The 2 1/2-ounce ball size is ideal — too much meat makes a thick patty that won't bend with the tortilla. The surface must be very hot for a proper crust. No flat top? A cast iron skillet or large pan works great, cooking one or two at a time, and a heavy skillet can double as a smasher. Flour tortillas work best as they're more absorbent and the meat sticks better. Watch closely so the tortillas don't burn. The sauce keeps in the fridge up to 8 days but should not be frozen. Cheddar can replace muenster or provolone; ground turkey or venison can replace beef (leaner result); gluten-free tortillas also work. Leftovers reheat well in the oven.