These smash burger tacos — also called Big Mac smashburger tacos — are unbelievably good and went viral on TikTok for a reason. Crisp tortillas hold thin, smashed beef patties topped with cheese and the signature burger sauce, recreating Big Mac flavors in taco form. The homemade sauce brings it all together; give this Big Mac smashburger taco a try.
What are Big Mac Smash Burger Tacos?
Big Mac smash burger tacos combine the seared, caramelized edges of a smash burger with the familiar fillings of a cheeseburger or Big Mac. Ground beef is spread thin across a tortilla, smashed and seared on a hot pan so it forms a thin patty that cooks quickly. The taco is then finished with cheese and classic burger toppings — lettuce, tomato, pickles and onions — plus a creamy, tangy burger sauce similar to Thousand Island dressing. The result tastes like an “animal-style” burger reimagined as a taco. 
Video: Smash Burger Tacos or Big Mac Smashburger Tacos
Homemade Burger Sauce (Thousand Island Style)
This quick burger sauce is essentially a chunky Thousand Island-style dressing that pairs perfectly with the smashed beef. It’s adaptable: adjust texture and seasoning to taste. Basic options to include or swap when making the sauce:
- Mayonnaise as the base. Substitute Greek yogurt or sour cream for a lighter option.
- Mustard adds tang; a splash of vinegar can substitute if you prefer.
- Ketchup provides sweetness and color; use tomato sauce for less sweetness.
- Brown sugar can increase sweetness, if desired.
- Minced onion adds bite — omit if you dislike raw onion.
- Relish or minced pickles bring crunch and acidity.
- A splash of Worcestershire or soy sauce boosts umami.
- Add hot sauce for heat.
Tips for Making Smash Burger Tacos
- Preheat the pan until very hot to get a good sear on the beef.
- Spread the raw beef thinly across the tortilla and press it to the edges; the meat will shrink while cooking.
- No extra oil is needed for flour tortillas — the beef releases enough fat. For corn tortillas, add a little oil when cooking the tortilla side to help them crisp.
- Use thin slices of American cheese if you want quick melting; thicker cheeses work but take longer to melt.
- Substitute the burger sauce with BBQ sauce, ranch, or any favorite burger condiment if you prefer.
- If you have a flat top griddle you can cook several at once; otherwise work in batches that fit your skillet.
Smash Burger Tacos (aka Big Mac Smash Burger Tacos)
{click on stars to rate}
Review
Save to Pinterest
Ingredients
- 1 lb. (454 g) ground beef
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) garlic powder, or to taste
- 6 (5–6 inch / 13–15 cm) flour or corn tortillas
- Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Burger Toppings (optional)
- Burger sauce (see recipe below)
- 6 slices American cheese or cheese of choice
- Shredded lettuce
- Tomato slices
- Pickles
- Sliced onions
- Ketchup, mustard, mayo, BBQ sauce, Thousand Island, etc.
Burger Sauce
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) mayo
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) mustard
- 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) minced onion, optional
- 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) pickle relish or minced pickles
Instructions
-
In a bowl, combine the ground beef with garlic powder and mix gently to combine.
-
Spread about 1/4 cup of beef onto each tortilla and press the meat so it reaches the edges of the tortilla.
-
Season the top of the meat with salt and pepper to taste.
-
Heat a skillet over medium-high. Lay the tortilla meat-side down and press with a spatula to flatten the beef into the tortilla.
-
Cook the meat for about 2–3 minutes, or until done to your liking.
-
Flip the tortilla so the meat-side faces up and cook the tortilla side for about 1 minute, until crisp.
-
For cheeseburger tacos: Add a slice of cheese over the meat and cover the pan for about 1 minute until the cheese melts.
-
Remove the tortilla, top the meat side with burger sauce and other toppings, fold into a taco and serve. Repeat with remaining tortillas and meat.
Burger Sauce Instructions
-
Combine mayo, ketchup, mustard, optional minced onion, and relish or minced pickles. Stir until smooth and refrigerate until ready to use.
Video
Nutrition Information per Serving
Best Tortillas for SmashBurger Tacos
Flour tortillas are recommended because they crisp quickly without much oil and fold easily into a taco shape. Corn tortillas work too, but they benefit from a little extra oil when you flip to the tortilla side to achieve a crisp texture. Either option yields a delicious Big Mac-style smashburger taco.
Different Burger Toppings
Customize each taco like you would a burger: add any favorite toppings — lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, cheese and your preferred sauces. Treat these smash tacos like a handheld cheeseburger and enjoy.
More Easy Recipes
- homemade sloppy joes
- pumpkin bread pudding
- crispy smashed potatoes with mushroom gravy
- everyday mac and cheese
- crispy parmesan chicken sandwich
- low carb zucchini tortillas
- Chili mac and cheese pasta