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These Big Mac tacos go viral every summer for a reason- they’re easy and insanely delicious. These smash burgers have perfectly cooked ground beef, a tortilla with crispy and golden brown edges, and the most delicious healthy Big Mac sauce.
Why everyone loves these
These viral Big Mac tacos (aka smash burger tacos) go viral on social media all the time and it’s no surprise to me – they are SO GOOD. They’re like a tasty lightened up classic Big Mac in taco form. Plus, they’re incredibly easy.
You smash a ground beef patty onto a flour tortilla, cook in a hot griddle with a little oil and you get perfectly juicy burgers with crispy tortillas and melty cheese- yum. I love serving these with my Italian Grinder Salad.
And you can’t forget the delicious Big Mac sauce- except, this homemade burger sauce is lightened up with a Greek yogurt base (but still just as good!).
These easy Big Mac tacos are also perfect for busy weeknights because they’re fast. You can get this meal done in less than 20 minutes. Serve with fries or roasted potatoes for a fun twist on taco night! My whole family absolutely loves these.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for these Big Mac smash tacos! Don’t forget to scroll down to the recipe card for full instructions and ingredients.
- Ground beef or burger patties: I like to use extra lean ground beef for these beef patties, but you can use whatever kind of burger you like! I like to get a pound of ground beef and split into eight 2-ounce equal portions.
- Soft flour tortillas: Personally I love using Mission Carb Balance tortillas or Maria & Ricardo’s Carb Bueno if you can find them for extra fiber, but any small flour tortillas will work! You could use corn tortillas too.
- Sliced cheese: Use your favorite burger cheese! American cheese, cheddar cheese, pepper jack and provolone cheese are some of my favorites to use.
- Burger toppings: My favorite burger toppings are shredded lettuce, sweet onion and pickles. I also love sliced tomatoes, jalapeños and shredded cabbage. You can also sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Homemade Big Mac sauce ingredients
- Plain Greek yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt is one of my favorite secret ingredients for creamy sauces. It’s lighter than mayo and adds extra protein too.
- Mayonnaise: Just a little bit of mayonnaise adds that classic burger sauce flavor!
- Ketchup: Ketchup adds just the right amount of sweetness.
- Dijon mustard: Dijon adds tang and creaminess- you can use regular yellow mustard too.
- Spices: Garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper give this sauce even more flavor.
- Honey: This is optional but I like to add just one teaspoon of honey for sweetness. You could also use maple syrup.
- Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar adds a bright tanginess to the sauce.
How to make Big Mac Tacos
Step 1: In a small bowl, add all burger sauce ingredients.
Step 2: Whisk together until fully combined. Set aside.
Step 3: Divide beef into eight 2 oz. patties and press each patty on a tortilla in a thin layer, leaving ~½” border at the edge of tortilla.
Step 4: Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika to a small bowl and combine. Season each patty evenly with spice mixture.
Step 4: Heat a large pan, griddle or griddle pan with a small thin layer of oil to medium-high heat. Add the burgers to the pan (you’ll need to work in batches), beef side down first.
Step 5: Cook for 2-4 minutes or until cooked to desired doneness, and then flip.
Step 6: Top with a slice of cheese, and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes on the tortilla side until the edges of the tortilla are slightly crispy and golden brown, and cheese is melted.
Step 7: Transfer your burger taco to a plate when finished and then top each one with shredded lettuce, onion, pickle slices and burger sauce.
How to store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days- store the burger/tortilla portion, sauce, and toppings separate.
For best results I recommend reheating in an air fryer at 350 for 3-5 minutes. You can also microwave for 30-60 seconds or bake in the oven at 350 for 7-10 minutes.
Jamie’s Tips
Recipe Tips
- Use a large griddle pan for best results. They’re also great for our favorite Protein Pancakes (without protein powder).
- A large, flat spatula like this one is best, but you can make any spatula work. If you want to be extra efficient, grab a burger press.
- Make sure you add your burgers to a hot pan before adding your burger. The burger needs to cook quickly to get crispy so the tortilla doesn’t get soggy.
- Choose tortillas that are small and taco-sized to make sure the 2 oz. burger patties will cover the tortilla.
- To make on a grill, make sure you have a grill griddle pan.
Variations and Substitutions
- Taco smash burgers: Instead of traditional burger toppings, season your burger meat with 2-3 tbsp of taco seasoning and top with taco toppings like cilantro, Mexican cheese, salsa and sour cream!
- BBQ smash burgers: Swap the burger sauce for barbecue sauce for an easy BBQ smash burger!
- Spicy smash burger tacos: Make a spicy smash sauce by topping with your favorite hot sauce, sriracha, or sprinkle on some pickled jalapeños.
- Use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas for a different flavor and texture.
More burger-inspired recipes
- Big Mac Sloppy Joes
- Big Mac Ground Turkey Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls
- Deconstructed Burger Salad Bowls
- Big Mac Sauce (Healthy Burger Sauce Recipe)
- One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
Big Mac Tacos (Smash Burger Tacos)
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp each of garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika
- 8 small flour tortillas
- 8 slices cheese, cheddar, American, or whatever sliced cheese you like
- olive oil or avocado oil for coating pan, or cooking spray
Burger sauce ingredients
- 1/3 cup Plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1.5 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- salt + black pepper to taste
Smash Burger Toppings
- shredded lettuce
- diced sweet onion
- dill pickle slices
Instructions
- In a small bowl, add all burger sauce ingredients and whisk together until fully combined. Set aside.
- Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika to a small bowl and combine.
- Divide beef into 8 2 oz. patties and press each patty on a tortilla in a thin layer, leaving ~½” border at the edge of tortilla. Season each patty evenly with spice mixture.
- Heat a large frying pan or griddle pan on medium heat with a thin layer of oil. Add the burgers to the pan (you’ll need to work in batches), burger side down first. Cook for 2-4 minutes or until cooked to desired doneness.
- Flip burger so that the tortilla is now pan-side down, top with a slice of cheese, and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes until the edges of the tortilla are slightly crispy and golden brown, and cheese is melted.
- Transfer burger taco to a plate when finished and then top each one with shredded lettuce, onion, pickle slices and burger sauce.
Notes
-
- Make sure to use small taco sized tortillas.
- Make sure your pan is hot enough before adding your burger. The burger needs to cook quickly to get crispy and make sure that the tortilla doesn’t get soggy.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an estimate.
Food photography by Marie-Catherine Dubé
My sixteen year old son declared these “phenomenal “ and my somewhat picky thirteen year old has requested them two weeks in a row. High compliments for sure!
Compliments from the teens!? That’s when you know it’s good! So glad you whole family is loving them 🙂
These were SOO GOOD. My husband and I tag teamed and cooked the meal in less than 20 minutes, prep included! I couldn’t believe how easy it was and how delicious the meal turned out to be. This is going to be a favorite.
So glad you loved it!
We absolutely loved them, just used my own burger seasoning that I made up, but the idea is a really good one and will definitely have to make these again and look forward to playing with the recipe a little along the way.
Easy work night meal, that was a family hit! We even had some leftovers that reheated nicely in the air fryer!
Such a great easy work night meal! Thanks for leaving a review Kelsey! 🙂