Skillet Smash Tacos
Buy our air fryer e-cookbooks today We tried the viral tik tok smash burger recipe (smash big mac) and now we’re doing the skillet smash taco version with Mexican flavors. Instead of the burger seasonings and toppings, we use taco toppings to make these Mexican smash tacos amazing.
Inspiration from Tik Tok Viral SmashBurger “”Taco”
After seeing the viral smash burger “Big Mac” tacos we had to try it and they were so good! Here’s the skillet smash burger taco recipe. The hamburger smash tacos are super popular and crazy delicious tacos that tastes like a big mac. It’s essentially burger meat that’s smashed onto the tortilla and cooked on a hot pan. So it’s like a thin burger patty that’s cooked and folded into the tortilla. The fillings are exactly what you would see on a cheeseburger or big mac. The burger sauce that’s like a thousand island dressing is what really takes the flavors to being like a Big Mac.
What is a Smash Taco?
After seeing, making, eating and obsessing over the burger or Big Mac version of smash tacos, we’re on to the regular taco version. Instead of burger flavors, these have all the flavors of a regular beef taco. It’s all fried and cooked crispy on a skillet with barely any oil. All the beef releases the oil that is needed to cook the tortillas. Then we add our favorite burger toppings and we’re ready for a smash taco party.
Video: Skillet Smash Tacos Recipe
How to Make Skillet Smash Tacos (Tips)
- You just need a first very light layer of oil on the pan to cook the meat side of the tortilla. Don’t add too much or else you could end up with a greasy smash taco.
- Pre-heat the pan so you get a good sear.
- Spread the meat thin and evenly all the way to tortilla edge. When smashing or spreading the raw meat on the tortillas, make sure they’re not too thick. And the meat will shrink during air frying, so spread the meat all the way to the edges of the tortilla. Here’s a great article about different types of ground beef.
- Make it simple, use prepared taco seasoning. Store bought taco meat seasonings are perfect to use here! There’s many different brands out there on the market
- Quick melting cheese: Use a thin slice of American cheese if you want it to melt faster. You can use thicker artisan cuts of cheese, but it’ll take a little longer to melt. You might need to actually air fry the cheese slightly rather than just using the residual heat to melt the cheese.
- Classic taco bar toppings: think of all the different taco toppings you want to add.
- Check out all the skillet smash taco recipe details in the recipe box below. And there’s step by step photos too for you to follow along during cooking.
Brands of Prepared Taco Seasonings
Skillet Smash Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 pound (454 g) ground beef
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) garlic powder , or to taste
- 1 oz. (30 g) package Taco Seasoning Mix
- 6 (5-6 inch) (6 (12-15 cm)) flour or corn tortillas
Taco Toppings (all optional)
- shredded cheddar cheese
- slices cheddar or American cheese
- salsa or pico de Gallo
- 1 medium Avocado (sliced or cubed)
- Guacamole
Instructions
- Add beef in bowl and stir in the garlic powder and taco seasoning mix (use about 1/2 the packet for mild seasoning – use the entire packet for full seasoning). Mix to combine well.
- Spread about 1/4 cup of beef on tortilla. Press the meat into the tortilla until it reaches the edges of the tortilla. Repeat this process for all the meat and tortillas.
- Heat a skillet on medium high heat. Lay tortilla with meat side facing down on the skillet. Using a spatula, press down on the tortilla or “smash it down” so beef lays flat and presses into the tortilla.
- Cook the meat for about 2-3 minutes or until the meat is cooked to your liking. Then flip the meat & tortilla so the meat is facing up.
- Cook the tortilla for about 1 minute or until the tortilla is crisped.
- Immediately remove the tortilla and top the meat side with your favorite taco toppings. Gently fold the taco over.
Video
Nutrition Information per Serving
Should you use corn tortillas or flour tortillas?
Great question! Is it flour or corn? It really is just a personal choice. Cook with your favorite tortillas and it’ll all end up tasty.
- Flour tortillas: When it comes to frying tortillas, we like using flour tortillas because they crisp quickly on the skillet. Also, they’re softer so they can fold into the taco shape easier.
- Corn Tortillas: But if you’re a fan of corn tortillas, that’s great too! You will need to add a spray or brush of oil on the tortilla when you flip to the tortilla side on the pan. The extra oil will help make the corn tortilla much more crispy, rather than chewy.
- Careful when flipping: But also another warning, when you flip to meat side up, the meat might separate from the tortilla. If it does, just plop it back onto the tortilla.
Can you freeze leftovers?
Sure, but why? These Mexican smash tacos are so good that you might finish them the same day or within 1-2 days. Eat them while they’re still fresh. If you freeze them, the tortillas might thaw weird and the texture might be crumbly. So just store them in the fridge and eat them right away!
1 Comment on “Skillet Smash Tacos”
I tried this over the weekend and it was just so perfect that I’m adding this to my Super Bowl menu. It’s my new favorite.