Smash Tacos with Crispy Beef & Cheese
Thin-crusted beef patties smashed in a hot skillet until the edges char, then topped with melted cheese, pickled onions, and fresh toppings. Ready in 25 minutes.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Calories
- 485
- Protein
- 28g
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 8 slices American cheese slices
- 8 tortillas corn or flour tortillas
- ½ medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- ¼ cup pickled jalapeños or chipotles (with sauce)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
- 1
Toss sliced onion with lime juice and a pinch of salt. Let sit while you cook.
- 2
Divide ground beef into 8 portions (about 2 oz each). Keep loose, do not pack.
- 3
Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or over a gas flame until pliable, ~30 seconds each.
- 4
Heat a 12-inch cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-high until it shimmers, ~2 minutes.
- 5
Place 4 beef portions on the skillet, spaced apart. Season with salt and pepper.
- 6
Smash each patty hard with a spatula, pressing for 15 seconds. Hold pressure to create crust.
- 7
Cook without moving until edges look dark brown and crispy, ~2 minutes.
- 8
Flip each patty. Top immediately with 1 cheese slice. Cook until melted, ~1 minute.
- 9
Transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining 4 patties.
- 10
Place 1 smashed patty on each tortilla. Top with pickled onion, jalapeños, and cilantro.
- 11
Serve immediately while cheese is still melty.
Tools you’ll need
- 12-inch cast iron skillet or griddle
- spatula (metal or sturdy plastic)
- small bowl
- cutting board
- sharp knife
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