These Big Mac Smash burger Tacos bring together crispy-edged smashed beef, gooey American cheese, and that tangy, slightly sweet Big Mac sauce, all tucked into a street taco tortilla. I first made these on a Wednesday night when I was craving something fun but didn't want to deal with bun logistics, and honestly, they've become a weekly thing around here. They're quick to make, use simple ingredients you probably already have, and they cook up in about 10 minutes from start to finish.
If you're looking for more quick dinner wins, you might also love these Buffalo Chicken Meatballs or this Steak Marinade for your next weeknight meal.
What Are Big Mac Big Mac Smash burger Tacos Tacos?
Think of your favorite fast-food burger, but reimagined as a street taco. The burger gets smashed right onto the tortilla, so when it cooks, the edges get crispy and the flavors meld together in the best way. You get that iconic Big Mac taste with the crunchy pickles, shredded lettuce, diced onions, and the signature sauce, but in a handheld taco form that's way more fun to eat.
Jump to:
- What Are Big Mac Big Mac Smash burger Tacos Tacos?
- Big Mac Smash burger Tacos Ingredients
- How to Make Big Mac Smash burger Tacos
- Equipment For Big Mac Smash burger Tacos
- Substitutions and Variations
- Storage and Reheating Tips
- Serving Suggestions
- Expert Tips
- Why You'll Love This Big Mac Smash burger Tacos
- FAQ
- Related
- Pairing
- Big Mac Smash Burger Tacos
Big Mac Smash burger Tacos Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make these Big Mac Smash burger Tacos from scratch.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities
For the Smashburger Tacos:
- Street-size tortillas (corn or flour): These small tortillas are the perfect size for individual smashburgers. Corn tortillas add a nice texture, but flour works great too.
- Ground beef (80/20 for optimal juiciness, or leaner for less shrinkage): The fat content keeps the burgers juicy and flavorful. If you use leaner beef, they'll shrink less but might be a bit drier.
- American cheese: Melts beautifully and gives you that classic cheeseburger flavor. It's the same cheese that makes a Big Mac taste like a Big Mac.
- Finely diced onion: Adds a sharp, fresh bite that cuts through the richness of the beef and cheese.
- Sliced pickles: The crunchy, tangy element that balances everything out. Use dill pickles for the most authentic taste.
- Shredded lettuce: Adds freshness and a little crunch. Iceberg lettuce works best because it stays crispy.
- Salt and pepper (or steak seasoning): Simple seasoning brings out the beef's natural flavor. Steak seasoning adds a little extra kick if you want it.
For the Big Mac Sauce:
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base of the sauce that holds everything together.
- French dressing: Adds a subtle sweetness and tang. This is what makes the sauce taste special.
- Dill pickle relish: Gives the sauce that signature pickle flavor and a little texture.
- Minced onion: Adds sharpness and depth. Fresh minced onion works better than dried.
- Granulated sugar: Balances the tanginess and adds a hint of sweetness.
- White vinegar: Brings brightness and cuts through the richness of the mayo.
- Garlic, minced: Adds a savory note that makes the sauce taste homemade, not bottled.
- Salt: Just a pinch to bring all the flavors together.
How to Make Big Mac Smash burger Tacos
Making these Big Mac Smash burger Tacos is easier than you'd think, and the steps come together really quickly.
Prepare the Big Mac Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, French dressing, dill pickle relish, minced onion, granulated sugar, white vinegar, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Set it aside so the flavors can meld while you cook the burgers.
Form the Smashburgers: Divide the ground beef into 8 equal balls, about 2 ounces each. Place one ball in the center of each tortilla. Using your palm or the back of a spoon, press down on the beef to flatten it and spread it all the way to the edges of the tortilla. Don't worry if it hangs over a bit, it'll shrink as it cooks.
Season the Patties: Sprinkle the top of each smashed burger generously with salt and pepper, or use your favorite steak seasoning for extra flavor. This is your chance to season well since you won't be able to season the other side.
Cook the Smashburgers: Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until it's really hot. Place each tortilla beef-side down in the skillet. Using a metal spatula, press down firmly on the burger to sear the meat evenly and create those crispy edges. Cook for 2 minutes, pressing frequently to get a good crust.
Melt the Cheese: Heat a second skillet over low heat. After the 2 minutes are up, carefully lift the burger with your spatula and flip it so the tortilla side is now down in the second skillet. Top immediately with a slice of American cheese and let it melt for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove the taco to a platter.
Assemble the Tacos: Repeat the cooking process with the remaining burgers. Serve each taco topped with shredded lettuce, sliced pickles, diced onions, and a generous drizzle of Big Mac sauce.
Equipment For Big Mac Smash burger Tacos
You don't need anything fancy, but having the right tools makes this Big Mac Smash burger Tacos even easier.
- 2 skillets (preferably cast iron): One for cooking the beef side and one for melting the cheese. Cast iron gets super hot and gives you the best sear.
- Metal spatula: You need something sturdy to press down on the burgers and flip them without them falling apart.
- Small bowl for sauce: Any bowl works for whisking together the Big Mac sauce ingredients.
- Whisk: Helps you get the sauce smooth and well combined.
Substitutions and Variations
Feel free to make these Big Mac Smash burger Tacos your own with a few simple swaps.
Ground turkey or chicken: Use these instead of beef for a leaner option. Just note they'll cook a bit faster and won't have quite the same richness.
Cheddar or pepper jack cheese: Swap the American cheese for something with more flavor. Pepper jack adds a nice kick.
Gluten-free tortillas: Use these if you need a gluten-free option. Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free.
Add sesame seeds: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top to mimic the Big Mac bun.
Spicy Big Mac sauce: Add a teaspoon of hot sauce or sriracha to the sauce for some heat.
Storage and Reheating Tips
These Big Mac Smash burger Tacos are best eaten fresh, but you can save components for later.
Big Mac sauce: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. The flavors actually get better after a day.
Cooked tacos: These don't store super well once assembled because the tortilla gets soggy. If you have leftovers, keep the toppings separate and reheat the burger-tortilla combo in a skillet for a minute or two.
Prep ahead: You can make the sauce and prep your toppings the night before. Form the beef balls and keep them covered in the fridge until you're ready to cook.
Serving Suggestions
These Big Mac Smash burger Tacos are filling on their own, but they're even better with a few sides.
Serve them with crispy Baked Zucchini Fries on the side for something lighter, or go all-in with loaded Bell Pepper Nachos for a fun taco night spread. A simple side salad with ranch dressing keeps things fresh, or you could do oven-baked sweet potato fries for a slightly healthier option. If you're feeding a crowd, set up a taco bar with extra sauce, pickles, jalapeños, and shredded cheese so everyone can build their own.
Expert Tips
Press firmly and often: The more you press the burger while it cooks, the crispier those edges get. Don't be shy with the spatula.
Use high heat: Your skillet needs to be really hot to get that good sear. Medium-high heat is perfect.
Don't skip the second skillet: Flipping the taco into a second skillet keeps the tortilla from burning while the cheese melts.
Let the sauce sit: Making the Big Mac sauce ahead gives the flavors time to blend together, and it tastes even better.
Keep toppings cold: Cold, crispy lettuce and pickles contrast beautifully with the hot, juicy burger.
Pat the beef dry: If your ground beef has excess moisture, pat it lightly with a paper towel before forming the balls. This helps you get a better crust.
Why You'll Love This Big Mac Smash burger Tacos
These Big Mac Smash burger Tacos are ridiculously easy. You don't need to flip burgers or worry about buns falling apart. The beef cooks directly on the tortilla, which means less mess and faster cooking. The homemade Big Mac sauce takes about two minutes to whisk together, and it tastes better than anything from a bottle. Plus, these tacos are perfect for feeding a crowd because everyone can customize their own with toppings.
FAQ
How do you make big mac tacos?
You make Big Mac Smash burger Tacos by pressing ground beef directly onto small tortillas, cooking them beef-side down in a hot skillet until crispy, then flipping and topping with cheese. Finish with lettuce, pickles, onions, and homemade Big Mac sauce. The whole process takes about 10 minutes, and my kids love helping press the beef onto the tortillas.
What are the 4 ingredients in taco mac and cheese with ground beef?
Taco mac and cheese typically includes ground beef, macaroni pasta, cheese sauce, and taco seasoning. It's a completely different dish from these Big Mac Smash burger Tacos, but both are crowd-pleasers for busy weeknights when you want something hearty and comforting.
What's the secret to the Big Mac taste?
The secret is the sauce, which combines mayo, French dressing, pickle relish, minced onion, sugar, vinegar, and garlic. The combination of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors with the pickles and onions creates that iconic taste. Using American cheese instead of other types also makes a big difference.
How long does it take to make smash burger tacos?
These Big Mac Smash burger Tacos take about 10 minutes total, with 5 minutes of prep and 5 minutes of cooking. The Big Mac sauce comes together in 2 minutes, and each burger cooks for about 2 minutes per side. It's one of the fastest dinners you can make from scratch.
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Big Mac Smash burger Tacos
Big Mac Smash Burger Tacos
Ingredients
Smashburger Tacos:
- 12 street-size tortillas corn or flour for serving
- 1 pound ground beef 80/20 or leaner for less fat and shrinkage
- 8 slices American cheese for topping the burgers
- ¼ to ½ cup finely diced onion for flavor and garnish
- Sliced pickles for serving
- Shredded lettuce for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste or steak seasoning for extra flavor
Big Mac Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise base for the sauce
- 2 tablespoons French dressing adds tang and creaminess
- 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish for that signature tangy taste
- 1 tablespoon minced onion for added flavor
- 1 ½ teaspoons granulated sugar balances acidity
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar for tanginess
- 1 clove garlic minced for extra depth of flavor
- Pinch of salt to taste
Instructions
- Add all Big Mac sauce ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until fully combined. Set aside.
- Divide the ground beef into 8 even portions (about 2 ounces each). Shape them into balls.
- Place each ground beef ball in the center of a tortilla. Use your hands to gently press the beef to the edges of the tortilla. Don't worry about the overhang-it will shrink while cooking.
- Sprinkle each pressed burger with salt and pepper or a dash of steak seasoning.
- Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Place each pressed burger, beef-side down, onto the hot skillet.
- Use a solid metal spatula to press down on the burgers for a good sear. Cook for about 2 minutes while frequently pressing.
- While the burgers are cooking, heat a separate skillet over low heat.
- When the 2 minutes are up, use the spatula to flip the burger and place it tortilla-side down into the heated skillet. Add a slice of cheese on top and allow it to melt slightly before transferring to a platter.
- Repeat the process with the remaining burgers.
- Serve the tacos with your choice of Big Mac-inspired toppings, such as lettuce, pickles, onions, and the Big Mac sauce.
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