Smash Tacos

Smash Tacos are pressed and cooked on a hot griddle to give the meat a crispy crust and juicy interior. A layer of cheese, followed by a crispy tortilla and your favorite toppings, makes them unique and unstoppably delicious!

Key Ingredients

You’ll find the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below, but here are some notes to keep in mind.

• Lean Ground Beef. Lean ground beef has the perfect amount of fat to deliver that crispiness we want without being overly greasy.
• Seasonings. Chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, kosher salt and black pepper—all those classic taco seasonings!
• Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend. Or another cheese you like on your tacos. (Pepper jack would be fantastic too!)
• Flour Tortillas. You can use corn tortillas for gluten-free smash tacos, but in my recipe testing, I’ve found they fall apart more easily. (If you do want to use them, I suggest using two corn tortillas per taco and adding the second tortilla after removing the smash taco from the pan.)
• Oil. Use an oil with a high smoke point like canola.
• Toppings. All your taco favorites! Lettuce, sour cream or Greek yogurt, and diced tomatoes for traditional taco vibes, or lean into the smash burger of it all with ketchup, mustard, and Refrigerator Pickles.

• What to Serve with Smash Tacos

  • Toppings. For traditional taco toppings, you can’t beat Guacamole and Salsa Roja.
  • Fries. Sweet Potato Fries are fabulous sides too!
  • Corn. I love Grilled Corn slathered with butter and Tajín as a side for tacos.
  • Rice and Beans. Brown rice with a squeeze of lime juice and Crock Pot Pinto Beans are a great way to round out a smash taco dinner.
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