Smashburger Tacos
A skillet-only dinner with fun, fast-food flavor. Serves 4.
Fast food has gotten expensive. In many places, taking a small family out for burgers can easily cost $50 or more. These Smashburger Tacos by Rebecca of Dollar Tree Dinners deliver the same crave-worthy flavors at a fraction of the cost, using just a skillet and a few simple ingredients. This recipe is especially great for extended stay kitchens because it’s quick, hands-on, and doesn’t require any special tools. It’s also a fun introduction to cooking while traveling: simple enough for beginners, but exciting enough to feel like a treat.
Ingredients
- 8 taco-size flour tortillas
- 1 lb lean ground beef (85/15 or 93/7 recommended)
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Assorted burger toppings (lettuce, onions, tomatoes, pickles, etc.)
- Your favorite burger sauce
Instructions
1. Prepare the tortillas. Press an ultra-thin layer of ground beef onto one side of each flour tortilla, covering the surface evenly. Season lightly with salt and pepper if you have them.
2. Heat the skillet. Preheat a skillet over medium to medium-high heat.
3. Cook beef-side down. Place the tortilla into the hot skillet beef-side down. Press gently with a spatula and cook for 1–2 minutes, until the beef is browned and cooked through.
4. Flip and melt the cheese. Flip the taco and cook for another 1–2 minutes, until the tortilla is crisp and golden. Immediately sprinkle shredded cheese over the beef so it melts from the residual heat.
5. Top and serve. Remove from the skillet and top with your favorite burger toppings. I used minced onion, shredded lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, and a prepared burger sauce.
Enjoy with potato chips as a great alternative to fries.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Enjoy fast-food flavor at home for that Smashburger taste without the restaurant price.
- This fun and interactive recipe is great for families cooking together, or for first-time extended stay cooks.
- It's a budget-friendly option because a pound of ground beef goes a lot futher than restaurant burgers.
Extended stay cooking tips
1. Stick to leaner beef. A slightly leaner ground beef (85/15 or 93/7) is recommended to minimize shrinkage. It may cost a little more upfront, but you’ll get more tacos and a better final result.
2. Please be kind to the plumbing during your stay! Avoid pouring grease down the sink. Instead, carefully drain excess grease into a disposable container like a paper coffee cup, or absorb it with a paper towel and discard in the trash once cooled.
3. Buy your toppings in small amounts. Many grocery stores with salad bars let you purchase small portions of chopped lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles. Perfect for travelers who don’t want leftovers or food waste.
4. Try bagged salad kits. These are a great extended stay shortcut. You’ll get lettuce, assorted toppings, and sometimes even dressing all in one bag, which works perfectly as burger toppings.
5. Don't forget condiment packets. This is where those extra ketchup, mustard, or mayo packets really shine, especially if you don’t want to buy full-size bottles.