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What’s not to love about a burger in taco form? These viral smash burger tacos with homemade special sauce made with light mayo are worth every bite! Smash burger tacos have taken over TikTok and social media, and we’ve put our healthy spin on them using lean ground turkey.
They’re packed with the flavors of a Big Mac burger but in a fun taco twist! Top with your favorite toppings and our lightened-up Big Mac-style special sauce, and you’ve got an easy, crave-worthy meal perfect for any night of the week.
If you love these, you’ll also want to check out our healthy burger bowls and Big Mac salad for more protein-packed, flavor-filled options. Or, if you want to swap out the mayo, try our healthy Big Mac sauce made with Greek yogurt.
Why You Will Love These Smash Burger Tacos
- Easy Recipe: They are quick and easy to make.
- Delicious Twist: It combines the delicious flavors of burgers, in taco form!
- Special Sauce: They’re topped with our homemade, lightened-up special sauce.
- Healthier Option: We have lightened up smash tacos and made them healthier by using lean ground turkey.
- Viral Recipe: We have put our spin on this viral recipe! For another delicious viral recipe, try our viral cottage cheese ice cream next!
What Are Smash Burger Tacos?
Smash burger tacos are a viral TikTok food trend where meat is smashed onto a tortilla and then smashed on a skillet to cook. Then, the taco is topped with toppings you would usually find on a burger, such as cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, secret sauce, onion, and pickles. Smash burger tacos are also called Big Mac smash tacos, since they have the same flavors as the McDonald’s Big Mac burger, but use flour tortillas instead of a burger bun.
Ingredients Needed
For Smash Burger Tacos
- Tortillas: We used flour tortillas to emulate a burger bun.
- Ground Turkey: Use lean ground turkey or ground turkey breast.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder are used to season the meat.
- Onion: Dice half of a white onion or sweet onion.
- Lettuce: Thinly slice iceberg lettuce.
- Tomato: Finely dice a tomato.
- Pickles: Use pickle slices.
- Cheese: Use a slice of fat-free or light American cheese for each smash burger taco.
For The Special Sauce
- Mayonnaise: Light mayonnaise is the base of the special sauce.
- Pickle Relish: Use sweet pickle relish.
- Ketchup: Adds flavor to the sauce.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder season the sauce.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Brightens the flavor of the sauce and adds complexity.
How To Make Smash Burger Tacos
Step 1: Make the special sauce. Add the light mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, ketchup, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and apple cider vinegar to a bowl.
Thoroughly mix, then set aside.
Step 2: Dice the onion, slice the lettuce, and finely dice the tomato.
Step 3: Season the ground turkey with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Then, use your hands to roll the ground turkey into eight, 2-ounce balls.
Step 4: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and lightly spray with oil. Place a ground turkey ball in the pan, cover with a tortilla, and press down with a spatula, meat press, or heat-resistant bowl until thin. Once smashed down, let it cook for 3 minutes.
Step 5: Flip, top with cheese, cover, and cook for 2-3 more minutes, or until fully cooked. Then, repeat this process.
Step 6: To serve, top with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and the homemade special sauce. Enjoy these smash burger tacos warm.
Smash Burger Taco Variations
- Meat: We used 1% fat ground turkey breast in this recipe. Some other meat options are lean ground turkey, lean ground chicken, and lean ground beef.
- Tortillas: These smash burger tacos are made with flour tortillas to emulate the flavor of a burger bun. Low-carb flour tortillas will work, as well.
- Sauce: We made a lightened-up special sauce for these smash burger tacos. If you want to lighten the sauce up even more, try our healthy Big Mac sauce made with Greek yogurt. For a different flavor, try our buffalo ranch sauce, sriracha mayo with Greek yogurt, or our healthy Greek yogurt ranch dressing!
- Cheese Options: You can use fat-free or light American cheese squares in this recipe to get the flavors of a big mac burger. Or, substitute the American cheese with your favorite cheese.
- Change the Flavor: If you want to make smash burger tacos but don’t want them to have the flavors of a Big Mac burger you can omit the iceberg lettuce, pickles, and special sauce. Instead, add some Pico de Gallo, avocado or guacamole, green onions, cilantro, or your favorite toppings.
Shawna’s Expert Tips
- Use a Thin Layer of Meat: It is very important to use a thin layer of meat so the meat fully cooks through and cooks quickly.
- Heat the Skillet: It is best to preheat the skillet or pan you will be using to cook the smash burger tacos. The meat is cooked at a high heat so it fully cooks. Also, this helps the tortillas get crispy.
- Have Everything Ready: It is important to have everything prepped and ready to go. The ground turkey cooks quickly and you want your toppings to be ready. Then, you can enjoy these smash tacos while they are warm.
Serving and Storing
To Serve: Once the smash burger tacos are fully cooked, add your favorite toppings and the special sauce. Then, serve them warm, and enjoy!
To Store: We don’t recommend storing these smash burger tacos. They are best enjoyed warm after making them. However, you can store leftover ingredients in airtight containers in the refrigerator so you can easily make this recipe again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Smash Burger Tacos Healthy?
Yes! Using lean turkey and our lightened-up special sauce makes these tacos a lighter and healthier option than traditional fast-food burgers.
What Tortillas Work Best?
Small flour tortillas mimic a burger bun. Low-carb or gluten-free options are great too. Corn tortillas will work, but are less sturdy.
Are Smash Burger Tacos Gluten-Free?
You can make these smash burger tacos gluten-free by using gluten-free tortillas.
More Taco Recipes To Try!
If you try this recipe, please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating, ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.
VIRAL SMASH BURGER TACOS
Ingredients
For Smash Burger Tacos
- 8 flour tortillas
- 1 pound ground turkey breast, 1% fat, or lean ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/3 cup finely diced white onion or sweet onion
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced iceberg lettuce
- 1 large tomato, finely diced
- 16 pickle slices
- 8 slices of fat-free or light American cheese
For The Special Sauce
- 1/4 cup light mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons sweet pickle relish
- 2 teaspoons ketchup
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Make the special sauce: Add the light mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, ketchup, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and apple cider vinegar to a bowl. Thoroughly mix, then set aside.
- Prep the toppings: Dice the onion, slice the lettuce, and finely dice the tomato.
- Season the meat: Season the ground turkey with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Then, use your hands to roll the ground turkey into eight, 2-ounce balls.
- Cook the smash burgers: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and lightly spray with oil. Place a ground turkey ball in the pan, cover with a tortilla, and press down with a spatula, meat press, or heat-resistant bowl until thin. The meat needs to be a thin layer so it cooks. Once smashed down, let it cook for 3 minutes.
- Flip and cook: Flip, top with cheese, cover, and cook for 2-3 more minutes, or until fully cooked. Then, repeat this process for the rest of the smash burger tacos.
- Serve: To serve, top with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and the homemade special sauce. Enjoy these smash burger tacos warm.
Video
Notes
- Meat: We used 1% fat ground turkey breast in this recipe. Some other meat options are lean ground turkey, lean ground chicken, and lean ground beef.
- Melt the Cheese: Once the ground turkey meat is cooked on one side, flip it over with the tortilla and add the cheese. This allows the cheese to cook while the taco cooks on the other side. Also, put the lid on the pan to quickly melt the cheese.
- Thin Layer of Meat: It is very important to use a thin layer of meat so the meat fully cooks through.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
