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Crispy Smash Burger Tacos with Creamy Chipotle Crema

crispy smash burger tacos - featured image

A quick and easy recipe combining crispy smashed beef patties with a smoky, creamy chipotle crema served in warm tortillas for a fresh twist on tacos and burgers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or canola oil
  • 810 small corn or flour tortillas
  • 4 ounces (115g) sharp cheddar cheese, sliced
  • For the Creamy Chipotle Crema:
  • ½ cup (120ml) sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 12 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt to taste
  • Optional fresh toppings:
  • Shredded lettuce or cabbage
  • Diced tomatoes or pico de gallo
  • Thinly sliced red onions
  • Fresh cilantro leaves

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chipotle crema: In a small bowl, combine ½ cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1-2 minced chipotle peppers, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Mix well until smooth. Cover and refrigerate.
  2. Preheat your cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Heat until a drop of water sizzles immediately (about 3-5 minutes).
  3. Divide the ground beef into 8 equal portions and gently roll into loose balls without packing tightly.
  4. Place 2-3 beef balls on the hot skillet without overcrowding. Using a sturdy metal spatula, press down firmly on each ball to smash into thin patties about ¼-inch thick. Hold for about 10 seconds to form a crispy crust.
  5. Season each patty immediately with salt and pepper.
  6. Cook patties undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until edges are deeply browned and crispy.
  7. Flip each patty carefully, place a slice of cheddar cheese on top, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until cheese melts and meat is cooked through.
  8. Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or wrapped in foil in a low oven (about 200°F/95°C) for 5 minutes until pliable.
  9. Assemble tacos by placing a crispy smash burger patty in each tortilla, topping with a spoonful of chipotle crema, and adding preferred fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro.
  10. Serve immediately while patties are hot and crispy.

Notes

Use a hot cast iron skillet and press firmly for a crispy crust. Let patties cook undisturbed before flipping to avoid sticking. The chipotle crema tastes better after resting in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. For dairy-free crema, substitute sour cream and mayo with coconut yogurt or vegan mayo. Corn tortillas make this recipe gluten-free.

Nutrition

Keywords: smash burger, tacos, chipotle crema, crispy burger, quick dinner, easy recipe, comfort food, taco night