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Crispy Smash Burger Tacos Recipe with Easy American Cheese Sauce

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A quick and easy recipe combining crispy smashed beef patties on small tortillas, topped with a smooth homemade American cheese sauce. Perfect for casual dinners or game nights, this mash-up of taco and burger flavors is irresistibly delicious.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 8–10 small corn or flour tortillas (6-inch size)
  • 6 slices American cheese, torn into pieces
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional toppings: diced onions, pickles, shredded lettuce, tomato slices, hot sauce or ketchup

Instructions

  1. Take the ground beef out of the fridge to come to room temperature. Tear the American cheese slices into small pieces for melting. Warm the tortillas wrapped in a damp towel to make them pliable.
  2. In a small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour and cook for about 1 minute until it forms a smooth paste without browning.
  3. Slowly add 1 cup (240ml) of whole milk while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Simmer gently until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the torn American cheese pieces, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir until cheese melts and sauce is smooth. Keep warm.
  4. Lightly salt and pepper the ground beef, then divide into 8 equal portions (about 2 ounces or 60g each). Roll each into a loose ball without packing tightly.
  5. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot (about 5 minutes).
  6. Place 2-3 beef balls in the skillet without crowding. Immediately press each ball down firmly with a spatula to smash it thin (about 1/4 inch or 6mm thick). Hold down for 10 seconds to set the crust.
  7. Cook for 2-3 minutes until edges are crispy and browned. Flip carefully and cook the other side for 1-2 minutes until cooked through. Remove patties and place on a plate.
  8. Warm tortillas again if needed. Place one smashed patty on each tortilla and drizzle generously with warm American cheese sauce. Add optional toppings as desired.
  9. Serve immediately while beef is crispy and cheese sauce is smooth.

Notes

Use room temperature beef for even cooking and better smashing. Press patties firmly and do not move them for 2-3 minutes to form a crispy crust. Whisk cheese sauce constantly to avoid lumps. Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain crust quality. For gluten-free, substitute flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend. Cheese sauce can be made ahead and reheated with a splash of milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: smash burger, tacos, American cheese sauce, quick dinner, easy recipe, ground beef, crispy burger, comfort food

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/crispy-smash-burger-tacos-recipe-with-easy-american-cheese-sauce/