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Cast-Iron Smash Burger Tacos

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These Cast-Iron Smash Burger Tacos bring together the crispy crust of a classic smash burger with the fun, handheld style of tacos. Ground beef is smashed thin in a screaming-hot cast-iron skillet to develop deep browning, then folded into buttered, toasted tortillas with melty cheese and a tangy burger sauce. Quick to cook and packed with flavor, they’re the kind of weeknight dinner that disappears faster than you expect.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the smashed burgers

  • 1 pound 85/15 ground beef
  • 1/2 cup crushed cracker crumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 cloves of garlic, finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the tacos

  • 4 small flour tortillas
  • 8 slices of American cheese
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1 medium tomato, diced
  • 2 tablespoons butter

For the burger sauce

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
  • 1/2 tsp stone-ground mustard

Instructions

  1. Prepare all ingredients. Finely dice the garlic, shred the lettuce, prep the cheese, crush the crackers, and dice the tomato. In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, ketchup, and sweet pickle relish to make the burger sauce, then set it aside. In a medium bowl, gently mix the ground beef, cracker crumbs, egg, garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper just until combined. Divide into four equal portions and roll into loose balls. Butter one side of each tortilla and set aside.
  2. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat until very hot and just beginning to smoke.
  3. Place the beef balls in the skillet and immediately smash each one very thin with a sturdy spatula until about 6 inches wide. Cook without moving for about 60–90 seconds, until the edges are dark brown and a deep crust forms on the bottom.
  4. Flip the burgers and cook about 30–60 seconds more, just until cooked through. Transfer to a rack or paper-towel-lined plate and top with 2 slices of American cheese, letting it begin to melt.
  5. Wipe excess grease from the skillet. Place the tortillas in the pan and cook on the dry side for about 20–30 seconds, until lightly browned. Flip and cook the buttered side for another 20–30 seconds, until golden and toasted. Remove from the pan.
  6. To assemble, spread about a tablespoon of sauce onto each tortilla. Cut each smashed burger in half and place onto the tortilla so it folds easily. Top with diced tomato and shredded lettuce.
  7. Fold gently and serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Equipment

Find it online: https://foodienoise.com/cast-iron-smash-burger-tacos/