Ultimate Blackstone Smash Burger Tacos

Growing up, we always had taco night with those crunchy shells from the box and pre-seasoned ground beef. That’s just how tacos were done in our house. When my friend made smash burgers on her Blackstone last summer, something clicked – why not combine the two?

These Blackstone smash burger tacos bring together everything I love about a good burger with the casual fun of taco night. The griddle gives the meat those crispy, browned edges you can’t get in a regular pan, while keeping the inside perfectly juicy. Trust me, once you try tacos this way, those boxed shells might start collecting dust in your pantry.

What Kind of Ground Beef Should I Use?

For smash burgers, the 80/20 beef ratio (80% lean meat to 20% fat) is really the sweet spot you want to aim for. This particular mix gives you just enough fat to create those crispy, lacy edges that make smash burgers so special, while still keeping the patty juicy on the inside. While you could use leaner meat like 90/10, you’ll miss out on that signature smash burger flavor and texture that comes from the fat rendering on the flat top. If you’re buying from the grocery store, look for packages labeled “ground chuck” as these typically have the ideal fat content. Just make sure your meat is well-chilled before smashing – this helps create those crispy edges everyone loves.

Options for Substitutions

This fun fusion recipe can be tweaked in several ways to match what you have on hand:

• Ground beef: The 80/20 beef ratio is ideal for smash burgers to keep them juicy, but you could use ground turkey or chicken if you prefer. Just add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil to the meat to maintain moisture since these are leaner options.
• American cheese: While American cheese melts perfectly for smash burgers, you can swap it with cheddar, pepper jack, or Monterey Jack. Just make sure to add the cheese while the patties are still hot so it melts properly.
• Soft tortillas: Corn or flour tortillas both work great here. You can even use lettuce wraps for a low-carb option, or slider buns if you want to go the traditional burger route.
• Special sauce ingredients: For the sauce, you can use Greek yogurt instead of mayo, honey mustard instead of yellow mustard, and apple cider vinegar instead of regular vinegar. No dried onion flakes? Use 1/8 teaspoon onion powder instead.
• Toppings: The toppings are totally customizable – try sliced avocado, jalapeños, corn salsa, or shredded cabbage instead of the suggested toppings. Make it your own!

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Grilling

The biggest mistake when making smash burgers is not getting your griddle hot enough before starting – you want it screaming hot (around 400°F) to achieve that perfect crust and prevent the meat from sticking. Another common error is overworking the meat when forming your balls – simply divide the meat and gently shape it into loose balls, as too much handling will make your burgers tough and dense. When smashing the burgers, do it immediately after placing the meat on the griddle (within the first 30 seconds), and use a sturdy metal spatula with significant pressure to create a thin patty that will develop those crispy, lacy edges everyone loves. For the best results, warm your tortillas on a separate part of the griddle and only flip the burgers once – they only need about 1-2 minutes per side since they’re smashed thin.

What to Serve With Smash Burger Tacos?

These fun fusion tacos pair perfectly with classic burger joint sides that work for both Mexican and American flavors! French fries or sweet potato fries are natural choices – try seasoning them with a mix of chili powder and garlic salt for a Mexican-inspired twist. A simple coleslaw made with lime juice instead of regular vinegar makes a great side that ties both cuisine styles together. For something lighter, a fresh corn salad with cherry tomatoes and cilantro hits all the right notes, or go with some crispy tortilla chips and guacamole for extra crunch and dipping fun.

Storage Instructions

Keep Components Separate: For the best results, store your burger components separately. Keep the cooked patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, and store your prepped toppings and sauce in separate containers. The special sauce will stay good in the fridge for about a week.

Make Ahead: You can prep the special sauce and toppings a day ahead – this actually lets the flavors develop nicely! Shape your burger patties and keep them separated with wax paper in the fridge until you’re ready to cook, but don’t season them until right before cooking.

Assembly Tips: When you’re ready to eat, warm up the tortillas and patties separately. Heat the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave, and warm the patties in a skillet or on the griddle until heated through. Then build your tacos with the warmed components and cold toppings for the best texture.

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	10-15 minutes
Total Time	25-35 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2000-2300
• Protein: 100-120 g
• Fat: 140-160 g
• Carbohydrates: 150-180 g

Ingredients

For the sauce:

• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (I like Hellmann’s for this sauce)
• 1 1/2 tsp yellow mustard
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp dried onion flakes
• 1/4 tsp vinegar

For the smash burger tacos:

• 4 slices American cheese
• 1 tsp beef spice mix
• 2 tbsp butter (I use Kerrygold unsalted butter)
• 4 small soft tortillas
• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 ratio, for juicy burgers)

For the optional toppings:

• diced tomatoes
• onions
• shredded lettuce
• pickles

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce

In a small mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients for the sauce until they are well mixed.

Once combined, place the sauce in the refrigerator to keep it cool while you prepare the rest of the dish.

Step 2: Get Toppings Ready

Prepare any toppings you wish to use for your smash burger tacos.

Ensure they are ready to serve when the tacos are done.

If necessary, store the toppings in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.

Step 3: Preheat the Cooking Surface

Preheat a Blackstone Griddle, flat-top griddle, or a 12” cast iron skillet to medium-high heat.

This will ensure a quick and even cooking process for the tacos.

Step 4: Prepare the Taco Shells with Meat

Divide the ground beef into 4 equal sections.

Take one section and spread it evenly over one side of a taco shell, ensuring that the meat covers the entire shell in a thin layer.

Repeat this process with the remaining taco shells and ground beef.

Place the prepared tacos on a tray until you are ready to cook them.

Step 5: Season and Cook the Tacos

Season each meat-covered taco with beef seasoning for added flavor.

Melt about half of the butter onto the preheated cooking surface and spread it around using the back of a spatula.

Place the tacos meat side down onto the hot surface and cook for 3-4 minutes.

Flip each taco and place a slice of cheese on top.

Continue cooking for an additional 3 minutes or until the hamburger is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 6: Assemble and Serve

Once the tacos are fully cooked, remove them from the griddle.

Add your desired toppings from step 2.

Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious smash burger tacos!