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Flavorful Smash Burger Tacos Recipe Easy Homemade with Creamy Thousand Island and Pickles

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A delicious mashup of crispy smash burger patties served in soft tortillas with creamy Thousand Island sauce and tangy pickles, perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 4 flour tortillas (6-inch)
  • 4 slices American cheese
  • Pickles (dill or bread & butter), sliced
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • ½ yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Butter or oil, for cooking

Instructions

  1. Make the Creamy Thousand Island Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  2. Prepare the Onions and Pickles: Thinly slice ½ a yellow onion and set aside. Slice pickles into thin rounds or spears. Optionally, sauté onions in 1 teaspoon oil over medium heat until translucent and slightly caramelized, about 5 minutes.
  3. Preheat the Skillet: Heat a cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat until very hot, about 5 minutes.
  4. Form and Cook the Patties: Divide ground beef into 4 equal portions (about 4 oz each). Roll each into a loose ball. Place one ball in the hot skillet, then immediately smash it down with a spatula until about ¼ inch thick. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes until edges are brown and crispy.
  5. Flip and Add Cheese: Flip the patty carefully and place a slice of American cheese on top. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until cheese melts and patty is cooked through but still juicy.
  6. Warm the Tortillas: While cooking patties, warm flour tortillas in a dry pan for about 1 minute or microwave for 30 seconds until soft and pliable.
  7. Assemble the Tacos: Place each patty on a warm tortilla. Spoon a generous amount of Thousand Island sauce over the patty, add pickles and onions, and any extra toppings like lettuce or tomato slices.
  8. Serve Immediately: Enjoy the smash burger tacos hot and fresh.

Notes

Use a very hot pan for crispy crust. Press patties gently but firmly. Make sauce ahead for better flavor. Warm tortillas just before assembling. Avoid overloading tortillas to prevent breakage. Can substitute ground turkey or plant-based meat for variations. Use corn tortillas for gluten-free option.

Nutrition

Keywords: smash burger tacos, homemade tacos, Thousand Island sauce, easy dinner, quick recipe, ground beef tacos, creamy sauce, pickles, comfort food

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/flavorful-smash-burger-tacos-recipe-easy-homemade-with-creamy-thousand-island-and-pickles/