Award-Winning Smashburger Tacos (As Seen on Food Network's 100 Cooks)
These crispy Smashburger Tacos with a cheddar cheese crust won Best One-of-a-Kind Burger on Food Network's 100 Cooks. Easy, cheesy, and unforgettable!
If you're wondering whether this is a burger or a taco...the answer is it's definitely a burger. It just happens to be wrapped in a tortilla.
This recipe actually won Best One-of-a-Kind Burger on Food Network's 100 Cooks, and the judges couldn't stop talking about the crispy cheddar cheese crust wrapped around the outside. That extra layer of golden, crunchy cheese—also called a cheddar lace—is what takes these smashburger tacos from good to unforgettable.
Each tortilla is pressed with seasoned ground beef, cooked smashburger-style until the edges are crispy, topped with melty cheddar, and then finished with a crispy cheddar cheese crust before being loaded with burger sauce, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles.
The result is everything you love about a classic cheeseburger: juicy beef, melty cheese, smoky bacon, tangy burger sauce, and crunchy toppings—with an irresistible crispy cheese shell that makes every bite even better.
Whether you're making these for a weeknight dinner, game day, or your next backyard cookout, these award-winning smashburger tacos are guaranteed to steal the show.
📝 Ingredients
- For the Smashburger Tacos:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 5 fajita-size flour tortillas
- 5 slices cheddar cheese
- 1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Optional: 1 fresh jalapeño, seeded and thinly sliced
- Burger Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp pickle juice
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt, to taste
- Toppings:
- Shredded lettuce
- Sliced tomato
- Sliced pickles
- Crispy cooked bacon
👩🍳 Directions
- 1
Make the burger patties: In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Avoid overmixing. Divide the beef into 5 equal portions. Press one portion into a very thin, even layer over each flour tortilla, leaving just a small border around the edges. Season the meat with a few extra cracks of black pepper if desired.
- 2
Make the burger sauce: Whisk together the mayonnaise, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, mustard, ketchup, pickle juice, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and salt until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- 3
Cook the smashburger tacos: Heat a large skillet, griddle, or flat-top over medium-high heat. Place each tortilla meat-side down onto the hot surface. Press gently with a spatula to flatten the beef even more. Cook for 2–3 minutes, or until the beef is browned and develops crispy edges.
- 4
Flip the taco and cook tortilla-side down for about 2 minutes until lightly golden. Top the burger with a slice of cheddar cheese and let it melt.
- 5
If using jalapeños, cook the slices in the pan while the tortillas finish cooking. Remove the tacos from the pan.
- 6
Make the crispy cheese crust: Sprinkle about 1/4 cup shredded cheddar directly onto the hot skillet. Immediately place one taco back onto the melted cheese, tortilla-side down. Cook for 1–2 minutes, until the cheese becomes deep golden and crispy. Carefully remove and repeat with the remaining tacos.
- 7
Assemble: Top each smashburger taco with burger sauce, crispy bacon, sliced pickles, shredded lettuce, tomato, and cooked jalapeños if using.
- 8
Serve immediately with extra burger sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy!
💡 Tips for Success
- Don't skip the cheddar lace. This crispy cheese crust is what made this burger award-winning. Let the cheese turn deep golden before removing it from the pan.
- Use an 80/20 ground beef. The higher fat content creates the best crispy edges and juicy burgers.
- Press the beef thin. A thin layer helps the meat cook quickly and develop those signature smashburger crispy bits.
- Cook on a hot skillet or griddle. Medium-high heat creates the perfect sear.
- Freshly shred your cheese. It melts and crisps much better than pre-shredded cheese.
- Serve immediately. The cheese crust stays crispiest right after cooking.
- Prep your toppings ahead of time. These cook fast, so have your lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, bacon, and sauce ready to go.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Are smashburger tacos actually burgers?
Yes! Even though they're served on a tortilla, they're still burgers. In fact, this recipe won Best One-of-a-Kind Burger on Food Network's 100 Cooks because it delivers all the flavors and textures of an incredible cheeseburger.
What makes this recipe different?
The crispy cheddar cheese crust on the outside is the game changer. Instead of simply melting cheese on top, the taco is finished on a layer of shredded cheddar that crisps into a golden, crunchy shell.
What kind of tortillas work best?
Fajita-size flour tortillas are ideal because they're the perfect size for a smashburger patty and crisp beautifully. I do not suggest corn tortillas for this.
Can I make these on a Blackstone?
Absolutely! A Blackstone or flat-top griddle works perfectly and makes it easy to cook several smashburger tacos at once.
What is burger sauce made of?
This homemade burger sauce combines mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, pickle juice, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper for a creamy, tangy sauce that's perfect on burgers.
Can I make these ahead of time?
The burger sauce and toppings can be prepared ahead, but cook the tacos just before serving so the cheddar lace stays crispy.
What cheese works best?
Sharp or medium cheddar melts well and creates the crispiest cheese lace. Freshly shredded cheddar gives the best results.
Can I customize the toppings?
Definitely! Add grilled onions, jalapeños, avocado, caramelized onions, or your favorite burger toppings. I mean it is a burger after all :)
Made this recipe?
Tag me on Instagram @holleyinthekitchen — I'd love to see it!