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Flavorful Smash Burger Tacos Recipe with Easy Thousand Island Drizzle

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These smash burger tacos combine crispy, juicy beef patties with a tangy, creamy Thousand Island drizzle, wrapped in warm taco shells for a quick and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste (about 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper)
  • ½ cup finely diced yellow onion
  • Thinly sliced pickles
  • 6–8 small soft taco shells (flour or corn)
  • ½ cup Thousand Island dressing (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1–2 tablespoons butter or oil for toasting taco shells
  • Optional: sliced jalapeños, shredded lettuce, squeeze of lime

Instructions

  1. Place ground beef in a mixing bowl and season with salt and black pepper. Gently mix until combined but do not overwork. Let rest for 5 minutes.
  2. Preheat a cast-iron skillet or heavy pan over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes until very hot.
  3. Divide beef into 6 equal portions (about 2.6 oz each). Roll each into a loose ball.
  4. Place one ball onto the hot skillet and immediately smash it down with a spatula to about ¼-inch thickness. Hold pressure for 10 seconds.
  5. Cook patty undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until edges are browned and crispy. Flip carefully and sprinkle about 2 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese on top. Cook another 1-2 minutes until cheese melts and patty is cooked through but juicy.
  6. Brush taco shells lightly with melted butter or oil. Toast in a separate pan or oven at 350°F for 3-5 minutes until warm and slightly crisp.
  7. Assemble tacos by placing a smashed burger patty inside each warmed shell. Top with diced onions, sliced pickles, and about 1 tablespoon Thousand Island dressing. Add optional jalapeños or shredded lettuce if desired.
  8. Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast of crispy edges, creamy dressing, and tangy pickles.

Notes

Use fresh, firm pickles to avoid soggy tacos. Shred cheese yourself for better melt and flavor. Preheat skillet well for crispy crust. Cook patties in batches to avoid overcrowding. Keep cooked patties warm in a low oven (200°F) if making multiple batches. Toast taco shells to add texture and prevent sogginess. Homemade Thousand Island drizzle can be made by mixing mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, vinegar, and garlic powder.

Nutrition

Keywords: smash burger tacos, Thousand Island drizzle, quick dinner, easy tacos, ground beef tacos, crispy burger patties

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/flavorful-smash-burger-tacos-recipe-with-easy-thousand-island-drizzle/