Description

These Crispy Smashed Beef Tacos take taco night to a whole new level. Seasoned beef is pressed directly onto fresh tortillas, cooked until crispy and caramelized, then topped with melted cheese and folded into the ultimate handheld taco. Finished with fresh lettuce, salsa, and a drizzle of creamy avocado-cilantro-lime sauce, these tacos are the kind of dinner that makes you wonder why you ever made tacos any other way.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Beef

1 pound 85/15 ground beef

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon dried minced onion

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Tacos

4 Fresh Soft Taco Tortillas

1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend

1 cup shredded lettuce

1/2 cup salsa

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Instructions

Add ground beef, chili powder, cumin, paprika, dried minced onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to a bowl. Mix until the seasonings are evenly distributed.
Divide the beef mixture into 4 equal portions.
Press one portion of beef into a thin, even layer covering one side of each tortilla.
Preheat a flat-top griddle or large skillet over medium-high heat.
Place the tortillas meat-side down onto the hot cooking surface.
Cook for 4–5 minutes, or until the beef develops a deep brown crust and is cooked through.
Flip the tacos so the tortilla side is down.
Immediately sprinkle about ¼ cup shredded Mexican cheese over each taco.
Continue cooking for 1–2 minutes, or until the tortilla is lightly crisp and the cheese has melted.
Fold each taco in half and transfer to a serving platter.
Fill with shredded lettuce, salsa, and a generous drizzle of Avocado Cilantro Lime Crema.
Serve immediately.

Notes

Use an instant-read thermometer if desired. Ground beef should reach 160°F.

Don't overcrowd the cooking surface. Cook in batches if needed.

The beef should be pressed thin enough to cook quickly and develop a crispy crust.

Fresh tortillas love to freestyle. If they start puffing up and forming bubbles while cooking, gently press them down with your spatula to keep the tortilla in contact with the griddle and encourage even browning.

For extra crunch, let the tortilla cook an additional 30–60 seconds after the cheese melts before folding.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Dinner, Main Course
Method: Stove Top
Cuisine: American, Mexican