The Big Mac Tacos
If you love smash burgers and you love tacos, this recipe is about as easy of a win as it gets. Big Mac Smash Burger Tacos bring together everything people love about a classic burger, juicy seasoned beef, melty cheese, shredded lettuce, pickles, and that irresistible burger sauce, in a crispy tortilla that cooks right on the griddle. They’re quick, messy in the best way, and perfect when you want something fun that doesn’t take much effort.
To make them, you press a thin layer of ground beef onto small flour tortillas and cook them beef-side down on a hot Blackstone or skillet. That quick smash helps the beef develop a flavorful crust while keeping everything thin enough to fold and eat like a taco. Once flipped, the tortilla toasts, the cheese melts, and the toppings go on right before serving. It’s a simple recipe, but the flavor feels huge.
Ingredients
For these Big Mac Tacos, you’ll need:
- Small flour tortillas – These are perfect for smash burger tacos because they’re easy to handle, easy to eat, and crisp up nicely on the griddle. I usually count on 2 tacos per person. You can use corn tortillas too, but flour gives you that classic soft-meets-crispy bite.
- Ground beef – Go with ground beef around 10–15% fat so the tacos stay juicy and flavorful without getting too greasy. This is what gives you that real burger-style bite.
- American cheese or sliced cheddar – This is the kind of cheese you want here because it melts fast and smooth right over the beef. American cheese gives the most classic fast-food-style result, but sliced cheddar works too.
- Iceberg lettuce – Crisp, cold, and classic. Iceberg gives these tacos that true burger feel and adds the fresh crunch that balances the rich beef and sauce.
- Pickles – Dill pickles are the move here. They bring that tangy, briny bite that cuts through the richness and makes everything taste more like a real Big Mac.
The Big Mac Sauce
There are a lot of different ways to make Big Mac-style sauce, and everyone seems to have their own version, but this one is simple, creamy, tangy, and really hits that classic burger flavor. It only takes a few minutes to stir together, and it adds so much to these tacos. Sometimes the easiest sauces are the ones that pull the whole recipe together.
How To Make Big Mac Tacos
Step 1: Make the Big Mac sauce
In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons finely chopped dill pickles or pickle relish, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon ketchup, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon onion powder or onion flakes. Mix until smooth, then place it in the fridge while you make the tacos so the flavors can come together.
Step 4: Cook the tacos beef-side down
Place each tortilla beef-side down onto a hot griddle or skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Let them cook for a few minutes until the beef is nicely browned and cooked through.
Step 5: Flip and add the cheese
Flip the tacos so the tortilla side is now down. Immediately place a slice of American cheese or sliced cheddar over the hot beef so it starts to melt.
Step 6: Finish, top, and serve
Cook for another minute or so until the tortillas are lightly golden and a little crispy on the bottom and the cheese has melted over the beef. Then remove the tacos from the griddle, top with shredded lettuce, pickles, and a spoonful or drizzle of Big Mac sauce, and serve right away while they’re still hot, crisp, juicy, and loaded with that creamy burger-style flavor.
Big Mac Tacos
Ingredients
Big Mac Sauce
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp dill pickle relish or sweet pickle relish
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp onion flakes
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
Big Mac Tacos
- 1 lbs ground beef 10% - 15% fat
- 4 6 inch tortillas
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 slices american cheese
- 3/4 cup shredded lettuce
- 3 tbsp minced white onion (cut into small squares)
- 12 slices dill pickles
Instructions
- Make the Big Mac sauce: There are a lot of different ways to make Big Mac-style sauce, and everyone seems to have their own version, but this one is simple, creamy, tangy, and really brings the whole recipe together. In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons finely chopped dill pickles or pickle relish, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon ketchup, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon onion powder or finely crushed onion flakes until smooth and creamy. Place it in the fridge while you make the tacos so the flavors can come together.
- Prep the tortillas and beef: Before you start cooking, have everything ready to go since these tacos cook fast. Shred your lettuce, get your cheese and pickles set aside, then take your small flour tortillas and press a thin, even layer of ground beef onto one side of each one. Season the beef with a little salt and black pepper, pressing it down well so it sticks to the tortilla.
- Cook the tacos beef-side down: Place each tortilla beef-side down onto a hot griddle or skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Let them cook for a few minutes until the beef is nicely browned and cooked through.
- Flip and add the cheese: Flip the tacos so the tortilla side is now down, then place a slice of American cheese or sliced cheddar over the hot beef right away so it can start melting.
- Finish, top, and serve: Cook for another minute or so until the tortillas are lightly golden and a little crispy on the bottom and the cheese has melted over the beef. Remove the tacos from the griddle, then top with shredded lettuce, pickles, and a spoonful or drizzle of Big Mac sauce. Serve them right away while they’re still hot, crisp, juicy, and loaded with that creamy burger-style flavor.
