Crispy Smash Juicy Beef Tacos (Printable View)

Juicy smashed beef cooked crisp on tortillas, topped with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and tangy salsa for handheld delight.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beef

01 - 1.1 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
02 - 1 tsp kosher salt
03 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1/2 tsp onion powder

→ Tortillas

07 - 8 small 6-inch flour tortillas

→ Cheese & Toppings

08 - 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
09 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
10 - 1 small head romaine lettuce, shredded
11 - 2 medium tomatoes, diced
12 - 1/2 cup sour cream
13 - 1/2 cup salsa or hot sauce

→ Oil

14 - 2 tbsp neutral oil (canola or vegetable)

# How To Make It:

01 - Combine ground beef with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder in a bowl; mix gently until just incorporated.
02 - Divide seasoned beef into eight equal balls, approximately 2 ounces each.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.
04 - Place 2 to 3 tortillas on the hot surface; center a beef ball on each tortilla.
05 - Using a spatula or burger press, firmly flatten each beef ball into a thin layer covering most of the tortilla.
06 - Cook the beef for 2 to 3 minutes until browned and crispy underneath.
07 - Flip each taco so the beef side faces down; cook for 1 to 2 minutes until tortillas crisp and beef is fully cooked.
08 - Sprinkle shredded cheese over the beef side while still hot.
09 - Move tacos to a plate, beef side up. Repeat the process with remaining tortillas and beef balls, adding more oil if necessary.
10 - Top each taco with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced red onion, sour cream, and salsa as desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The beef develops an impossibly crispy, caramelized crust that tastes infinitely better than regular taco meat.
  • Everything comes together in 30 minutes without any fussy techniques or special equipment.
  • The whole family assembles their own taco flavor combinations, which somehow makes even picky eaters happier.
02 -
  • The beef absolutely must be seasoned before smashing, not after, or the flavors won't penetrate and your tacos will taste flat and one-dimensional.
  • Don't skip the second flip and the tortilla crisping step; the tortilla needs direct heat to become that satisfying crunchy vessel instead of soft bread.
03 -
  • A burger press gives you much more control and consistent pressure than a spatula, and the tacos turn out more evenly cooked and beautifully formed.
  • Shredding your cheese from a block instead of using pre-shredded ensures it melts smoothly without any additives that prevent melting.
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