Crispy Smash Juicy Beef Tacos (Printable)

Seasoned ground beef smashed on tortillas, seared until crisp, finished with fresh toppings and cheese.

# 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 (such as canola or vegetable)

# How To Make It:

01 - Combine ground beef with kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder in a bowl. Mix gently until evenly combined.
02 - Portion beef mixture into 8 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. Position one beef ball at the center of each tortilla.
05 - Using a spatula or burger press, firmly press each beef ball into a thin, even layer covering most of the tortilla surface.
06 - Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until beef is browned and crisp on the underside.
07 - Turn each taco so the beef side faces down. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until tortillas are crisp and beef is fully cooked.
08 - Sprinkle shredded cheese over the beef while still hot to allow melting.
09 - Transfer finished tacos beef side up onto a plate. Repeat the cooking process with remaining tortillas and beef, adding oil as needed.
10 - Top tacos with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced red onions, sour cream, and salsa. Serve immediately while warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The beef gets impossibly crispy and flavorful when it meets the hot tortilla, creating a textural contrast that regular tacos just can't match.
  • From start to finish, you're looking at 30 minutes, which means weeknight dinner without the stress or the takeout bill.
02 -
  • Don't mix the seasoning into the beef with gusto—a light hand keeps the meat loose and allows it to crisp instead of becoming dense and compact.
  • The temperature of your cooking surface is everything; if you're not hearing a proper sizzle, give the pan another minute to heat up before you proceed.
03 -
  • If your tortillas are on the thicker side, warm them first so they're more pliable and less likely to tear when you smash the beef down.
  • Batch your cooking so you're not standing there making one taco at a time—heat enough pan to cook 2 or 3 simultaneously, which keeps everything efficient and the first ones warm for assembly.
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