30-Minute Keto Smash Burger Tacos

If you ask me, smash burgers and tacos are a match made in heaven.

These keto-friendly tacos take everything you love about a juicy smash burger and wrap it up in a low-carb shell. The crispy edges of the beef patty pair perfectly with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and a drizzle of classic burger sauce.

The meat gets pressed thin on a hot griddle until the edges turn wonderfully brown and crispy, while the inside stays nice and juicy. A slice of melted cheese and your favorite burger toppings make these feel like the real deal.

It’s a satisfying twist on taco night that keeps things low-carb without sacrificing any of the flavors you’re craving.

What Kind of Ground Beef Should I Use?

For smash burgers, the fat content of your ground beef makes a big difference in the final result. An 80/20 blend (meaning 80% lean meat and 20% fat) is ideal since it gives you that perfect balance of flavor and juiciness while creating those crispy, lacy edges that make smash burgers so special. While you could use leaner meat like 90/10, you’ll miss out on some of that classic smash burger flavor and might end up with a drier patty. If you’re grinding your own meat, chuck is your best bet – it has the right fat content and beefy flavor. Just make sure your meat is cold when you form it into balls, as this helps create better smashing results on the griddle.

Options for Substitutions

This keto-friendly recipe can be customized with several substitutions while keeping it low-carb:

• Low-carb mayonnaise: You can make your own using regular mayo mixed with sour cream, or use plain Greek yogurt for a lighter option. Just check the carb content to stay keto-friendly.
• No-sugar-added ketchup: If you can’t find sugar-free ketchup, try using tomato paste mixed with a tiny bit of apple cider vinegar and your favorite keto sweetener.
• Low-carb tortillas: You’ve got options here! Try using lettuce wraps, cheese wraps, or even low-carb cabbage leaves. If you’re not strictly keto, corn tortillas are another option.
• American cheese: Feel free to swap with cheddar, pepper jack, or any other low-carb cheese you prefer. Just make sure it melts well.
• Ground beef: While ground beef is ideal for smash burgers, you can use ground turkey or chicken. Keep in mind that leaner meats might need a touch of oil to prevent sticking, and they’ll have a different flavor profile.
• Iceberg lettuce: Any crispy lettuce works here – romaine, green leaf, or butter lettuce are all good alternatives. Just make sure to pat them dry to keep your tacos from getting soggy.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making smash burgers is not getting your pan or griddle hot enough before cooking – you need screaming hot temperatures to achieve that perfect crispy crust, so let your cooking surface heat up for at least 5 minutes before starting. Another common error is pressing the burger multiple times while cooking; you should smash each meat ball only once, right at the beginning, and do it firmly with a large spatula or burger press to create a thin patty with crispy edges. To keep these keto tacos low-carb friendly, avoid overcrowding your tortillas with too many toppings, as the excess moisture can make them fall apart – instead, focus on a balanced ratio of meat to toppings and consider warming your low-carb tortillas first to make them more pliable. For the best flavor, season your meat just before cooking (not earlier) and don’t forget to let your pan heat back up between batches if you’re cooking multiple burgers.

What to Serve With Keto Smash Burger Tacos?

Since these smash burger tacos are already pretty filling, you’ll want some lighter sides that still keep things keto-friendly. A simple side salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a creamy ranch or avocado dressing works perfectly here. If you’re craving something warm, try some roasted cauliflower florets seasoned with the same spices as the burgers, or make some zucchini fries in the air fryer for that classic burger-and-fries feeling without the carbs. For an extra punch of flavor, you might want to whip up some Mexican-style cauliflower rice with cilantro and lime to round out your meal.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: If you’ve got leftover burger components, store them separately. Keep the cooked patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The special sauce can be kept in a sealed jar for up to a week – it actually gets even better after a day as the flavors meld together!

Prep Ahead: You can mix up the special sauce and shape your burger patties a day ahead. Keep the sauce in a jar and the raw patties covered with plastic wrap in the fridge. The fresh toppings like lettuce and onions are best prepped right before serving to keep them crisp.

Assemble Later: For the best taco experience, store all components separately and assemble just before eating. Warm up the patties in a skillet over medium heat for about 2 minutes per side, add cheese to melt, then build your tacos with fresh toppings. The low-carb tortillas can be quickly warmed in a dry skillet to make them more pliable.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	15-20 minutes
Total Time	25-35 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1600-1800
• Protein: 90-100 g
• Fat: 120-130 g
• Carbohydrates: 40-50 g

Ingredients

• 1 cup low-carb mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons no-sugar-added ketchup
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to your taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 pound ground beef, shaped into 4 balls (4 oz each)
• 4 low-carb tortillas
• 1 teaspoon himalayan salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 4 slices of american cheese
• 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
• 1/4 cup finely chopped white onion
• 12 slices of dill pickle

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients until well blended.

Once combined, transfer the sauce to a glass jar storage container, such as a mason jar, and refrigerate until you’re ready to use it.

This will allow the flavors to meld nicely.

Step 2: Prepare the Smash Burger Patties

On a clean work surface, take each 4-ounce ball of ground beef and smash it evenly over a flour tortilla until the meat almost completely covers the tortilla, ensuring to leave the edges clean for handling.

Season each pattie with 1/4 of the salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.

Step 3: Cook the Patties

Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until it is lightly smoking.

Carefully add one or two patties, placing them meat-side down, and lightly press them onto the skillet to cook.

Allow each patty to cook for 4-5 minutes, then flip each patty over and add a slice of American cheese.

Continue cooking for another 1 or 2 minutes until the cheese has melted.

Repeat this process with the remaining burger patties.

Step 4: Assemble the Smash Burger Tacos

To assemble each smash burger taco, start by drizzling 2 to 4 tablespoons of the prepared Big Mac Sauce over the cooked patties, based on your taste preference.

Then, add a layer of shredded lettuce, some minced onion, and place 3 pickles on top.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the smash burger tacos immediately while warm to enjoy the full flavor.

These tacos are a delightful twist on the classic burger, combining the best elements of a burger with the convenience of a taco!