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Flavorful Smash Burger Tacos Recipe Easy Homemade with Secret Sauce and Pickled Jalapeños

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These smash burger tacos feature crispy, caramelized patties tucked into warm corn tortillas, topped with a tangy secret sauce and spicy pickled jalapeños for a quick, flavorful meal perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef, 80/20 blend
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Vegetable oil or avocado oil, for cooking
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup sliced jalapeños (fresh or from a jar)
  • ½ cup white vinegar
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 clove garlic, smashed (optional)
  • 8 small corn tortillas, warmed
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Sliced red onions (optional)
  • Sliced cheddar or pepper jack cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pickled jalapeños: In a small saucepan, combine ½ cup white vinegar, ½ cup water, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and smashed garlic clove if using. Bring to a simmer and stir until sugar and salt dissolve. Place sliced jalapeños in a heatproof jar or bowl, pour hot brine over them, let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Make the secret sauce: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
  3. Form the burger balls: Divide ground beef into 8 equal portions (about 2 ounces each). Gently roll into loose balls, season lightly with salt and pepper, and keep chilled until cooking.
  4. Heat the skillet: Place cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add a thin layer of oil and heat until shimmering (about 2-3 minutes).
  5. Smash the burgers: Place 2-3 beef balls in skillet spaced apart. Press down firmly with spatula to flatten into thin patties about ¼ inch thick. Cook without moving for 2-3 minutes until edges are dark brown and crispy. Flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until cooked through but juicy.
  6. Warm the tortillas: While patties cook, warm corn tortillas in a dry skillet or wrapped in a damp towel in microwave. Keep warm in a clean kitchen towel.
  7. Assemble the tacos: Spread secret sauce on each tortilla. Layer shredded lettuce, a smash burger patty, pickled jalapeños, sliced onions, and cheese if using. Add extra sauce on top if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when smashing burgers to maintain high heat and get a crispy crust. Flip patties only once to keep them juicy. Pickled jalapeños can be made ahead and taste better after chilling overnight. Use high-fat ground beef (80/20) for best results. For dairy-free sauce, substitute mayonnaise with dairy-free mayo like Vegenaise.

Nutrition

Keywords: smash burger tacos, secret sauce, pickled jalapeños, quick dinner, easy tacos, homemade tacos, crispy burger patties

Find it online: https://dahliadishes.com/flavorful-smash-burger-tacos-recipe-easy-homemade-with-secret-sauce-and-pickled-jalape-n-os/