Big Mac Smash Burger Tacos: The Ultimate Comfort Food Mashup

Why choose between tacos and burgers when you can have both?

1. Intro: Why This Recipe Slaps
Imagine biting into a crispy taco shell stuffed with juicy, cheesy smash burger patties, tangy pickles, and that iconic Big Mac sauce. This dish is a game-changer for nights when you crave something indulgent but don’t want to pick sides. It’s quick, customizable, and guaranteed to make your taste buds do a happy dance. Plus, it’s a hit with kids and adults alike—no fancy skills required!

2. Shopping List (Serves 4)
For the Tacos:

8 small flour tortillas (Mission Street Tacos size works great)
1 lb ground beef (80/20 fat ratio for juiciness)
1 tbsp vegetable oil (for cooking)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
Salt + black pepper (to taste)
4 slices American cheese (Kraft or Velveeta for maximum meltiness)

Big Mac Sauce:

½ cup mayonnaise (Hellmann’s or Duke’s)
2 tbsp ketchup (Heinz)
1 tbsp yellow mustard (French’s)
1 tsp white vinegar
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tbsp sweet pickle relish

Toppings:

1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
½ cup diced white onion
¼ cup dill pickles (chopped small)
1 tbsp sesame seeds (for garnish)

3. Prep Work: Get Your Life Together
(15 minutes)

Make the sauce: Mix all sauce ingredients in a bowl. Taste and add a pinch of sugar if you like it sweeter. Chill until ready to use.
Chop toppings: Dice onions, chop pickles, shred lettuce. Keep ’em in separate bowls—burger taco bar vibes.
Form burger balls: Divide beef into 8 equal balls (2 per taco). Season lightly with salt and pepper.

4. Cooking: Let’s Get Smashing
(10 minutes)
Tools: Cast-iron skillet or non-stick pan, spatula, heavy-duty press (or use a metal spatula + foil-covered can).

Heat the pan: Medium-high heat. Add oil.
Smash those patties:
- Place 2 beef balls in the pan.
- Immediately press down HARD with your tool to flatten into thin patties (think “burger lace”).
- Cook 2–3 minutes until edges crisp. Flip, add cheese to one patty, stack the second on top (double-cheesy magic). Repeat for all 4 tacos.
Warm tortillas: In the same pan, heat tortillas 20 seconds per side. Keep ’em warm in a towel.

Pro Tip: Don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook patties in batches if needed. High heat = crispy edges!

5. Serving: Build Your Flavor Bomb
Layer each tortilla with:

Lettuce
Cheesy burger stack
Drizzle of Big Mac sauce
Onions + pickles
Sprinkle sesame seeds (for that Big Mac “bun” vibe)

Sidekick Ideas: Fries, crispy onion rings, or a simple cucumber salad.

6. Level-Up Hacks

Spicy kick: Add jalapeños or hot sauce to the sauce.
Low-carb: Use lettuce wraps instead of tortillas.
Vegetarian: Swap beef for Beyond Meat and use vegan cheese/mayo.
Bacon boost: Because bacon makes everything better.

7. Wrap-Up: TL;DR Version
Big Mac Smash Burger Tacos = crispy, cheesy, saucy joy in taco form. Perfect for lazy dinners or impressing your squad. Fun fact: The Big Mac was invented in 1967—now it’s taco-fied for 2024!