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Quick 15-Minute Smash Burger Tacos Recipe Easy Homemade Special Sauce

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These smash burger tacos combine juicy, crispy-edged patties with tangy pickled onions and a creamy, smoky special sauce for a quick, flavorful meal ready in 15 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
  • 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup (120 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • ½ cup (120 ml) water
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 8 small flour tortillas (6 inches / 15 cm diameter)
  • 1 cup (30g) shredded iceberg lettuce
  • 1 cup (120g) shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Pickle the Onions (10 minutes): In a small bowl, combine apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. Stir until sugar dissolves. Add thinly sliced red onions and let them sit while you prepare everything else.
  2. Mix the Special Sauce (5 minutes): In another bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, smoked paprika, garlic powder, hot sauce (if using), and lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning. Set aside in the fridge to chill.
  3. Prepare the Burger Patties (5 minutes): Divide the ground beef into 8 equal portions (about 2 oz / 55g each). Lightly shape into loose balls without overworking the meat.
  4. Heat the Cooking Surface: Place your cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Add the oil and let it get hot until shimmering but not smoking.
  5. Cook the Smash Burgers (about 3 minutes per batch): Place 2-3 meat balls on the skillet spaced apart. Immediately press down firmly with a spatula to flatten into thin patties (about ¼ inch / 6 mm thick). Season with salt and pepper. Cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes until edges are brown and crispy.
  6. Flip and Add Cheese: Flip each patty gently, add shredded cheddar cheese on top, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until cheese melts and patties are cooked through but still juicy.
  7. Warm the Tortillas: While cooking the patties, warm tortillas on a dry skillet or in the oven wrapped in foil for about 1 minute until soft and pliable.
  8. Assemble the Tacos: Place a layer of shredded lettuce on each tortilla, add 1-2 smash burger patties, spoon on pickled onions, and drizzle generously with the special sauce.

Notes

Press patties thin immediately to get crispy edges. Use a hot pan and avoid overcrowding to maintain heat and crust formation. Cheese should be added after flipping to melt properly. Pickled onions add a tangy balance to the rich beef. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 2 days; reheat patties gently to preserve crust.

Nutrition

Keywords: smash burger tacos, quick tacos, homemade special sauce, pickled onions, easy dinner, 15-minute recipe, burger tacos

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