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Smash Burger Tacos with Lean Ground Beef | Easy Cheeseburger Taco Recipe

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Ingredients

For the Sauce:
5/16 cup Mayonnaise
2 tbsp Pickles (Chilled dill, or bread and butter pickles)
1/2 tsp Paprika
1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp Onion Powder
1/2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 pinch Black Pepper
3 tsps Pickle Juice (Add in slowly to thin to a desired consistency)
For Smash Burger Tacos:
1 lb Laura's 92% Lean Ground Beef
Cooking Spray (For Skillet)
3/4 tsp Fine Salt
1/4 tsp Black Pepper
6 Flour Tortillas (6" round)
For the Toppings:
2 cups Lettuce (Romain or Iceberg)
1/2 cup Tomatoes (Diced)
1/4 cup White Onion (Finely Diced)
18 slices Dill Pickles

Yield

Servings^*:

*Serving calculations based on 16oz beef products.
For 12oz beef products reduce serving size by 1/4.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Total Time: 40 Minutes

Serving size based on 1 cup (242g)

Preparation

INSTRUCTIONS

Skillet Directions:

1. Make the sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, chopped pickles, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Stir well to combine. Stir in the pickle juice, 1 teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. Chill sauce in the refrigerator while you prepare the burger tacos.

2. Prepare the toppings and set aside.

3. Preheat the oven to 250?. Place a large rimmed baking sheet inside the oven.

4. Divide the ground beef into 6 equal portions and gently shape each one into a ball. Sprinkle each meat ball with salt and pepper on two sides.

5. Place a large cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. When the skillet starts to smoke it’s hot enough.

6. Mist the skillet with cooking spray and add 1 ball of meat to the skillet. Top the meat with a tortilla and, using a burger press or heavy spatula, press down on the tortilla until the meat is about ¼ inch thick.

7. Cook for 4 minutes then use a thin spatula to loosen the meat from the skillet and flip it over, tortilla side down.

8. Top the meat with a slice of cheese and continue cooking for 2 minutes or until the tortilla has crisped up and the cheese melts.

9. Transfer the burger taco to the sheet pan in the oven to stay warm while cooking the remaining tacos.

10. To serve, top each taco with 2-3 pickle slices, lettuce, diced tomatoes, and diced onions. Drizzle each taco with 1 tablespoon of sauce. Fold over and serve.

Flat-Top Grill Directions:

2. Prepare the toppings and set aside.

3. Preheat the flat-top grill to medium-high heat for about 10 minutes.

4. Once the flat-top is hot, mist the surface with avocado oil or cooking spray (or drizzle with oil and use a long flat spatula to push the oil around all over the surface).

5. Add all of the balls of meat to the flat top, leaving 4-5 inches of space between them. Working quickly, immediately top each ball with a tortilla.

6. Use a burger press or flat spatula to press/smash the tortillas down onto each burger, pressing very firmly to flatten the meat (meat mixture should be less than ¼ -inch thick).

7. Cook for 4 minutes, then use a long, thin spatula to scrape underneath the meat and flip each taco over.

8. Top each one with a slice of cheese and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to crisp the tortilla before removing them to a large platter or baking sheet.

9. Top each taco with 2-3 pickle slices, lettuce, and diced onions. Drizzle each taco with 1 tablespoon of sauce. Fold over and serve.

Recipe by The Real Food Dietitians
Founded by registered dietitians Jessica Beacom and Stacie Hassing, The Real Food Dietitians create approachable, wholesome recipes that make healthy eating simple and satisfying. Their recipes focus on real ingredients, balanced nutrition, and family-friendly meals that fit busy lifestyles. This Smash Burger Taco recipe is adapted from their popular recipe, bringing together lean ground beef and fresh ingredients for an easy, protein-packed dinner.