Smash Burger Tacos and Summer Family Dinners
There is something really special about sitting down for dinner with my grown-up kids. Whether it is a casual weeknight or a special occasion, I try to keep things simple, flavourful, and fun so that we can all relax and enjoy the evening.
This past week, I made Smash Burger Tacos, a viral inspiration for a fun summer dinner that felt relaxed but still full of big flavour. We set up a full toppings bar, including garden tomatoes, homemade pickles, kale slaw, and plenty of condiments and sauces. Everyone built their own, and the conversation flowed as fast as the iced tea. We finished the night with make-your-own ice cream sundaes using fresh raspberries and peaches from the garden.
The best part? I did not spend the whole day in the kitchen, just worked away on a small veggie plate with a quick dip, cut up the toppings, whisked together the Big Mac sauce, and gathered the extra condiments. I used my hot oven (from a sourdough batch of bread I planned to bake) and batch-cooked 6-burger a time on a steel pan in the oven. I kept the rest of the prep easy and fresh. This is how I love to cook and bake in the summer; simple, seasonal, and shared.
The Smash Burger Tacos
These are not traditional tacos, and they are not quite burgers either. Think crispy-edged beef, seasoned just right, pressed into a warm flour tortilla or corn tortillas (for GF option) with melty cheese and your favourite toppings. Here’s how I made mine:
Burger Ingredients:
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2 pounds ground beef (lean)
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2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
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1 tablespoon homemade steak spice
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¾ teaspoon sea salt
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¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
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Cheddar cheese (or your favourite burger cheese, Kraft single stype)
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10–12 small flour tortillas or corn tortillas (for gluten-free)
Quick Big Mac Sauce:
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½ cup mayo
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2 tablespoons ketchup
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1 tablespoon mustard
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1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish (or finely chopped sweet pickles)
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1 teaspoon paprika or smoked paprika
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¼ teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon steak spice seasoning
Toppings:
Fresh garden tomatoes, sliced dill or sweet pickles, pickled banana peppers, pickled jalapeños, iceberg lettuce or kale slaw, plus your favourite condiments like BBQ sauce, mayo, or spicy mayo.
Instructions:
Whisk together sauce ingredients and chill. In a large bowl, gently mix all burger ingredients. Divide into 2.5-ounce balls. Preheat a steel or cast iron pan in a 450°F oven. Add burger balls, top each with a tortilla, and smash down with a spatula or press. Bake for 3–5 minutes, flip, add cheese, and cook until melty. Fold and serve with toppings.
Batch Tip: Keep warm in a 200°F oven until serving.
Whether you make this meal exactly or just take inspiration from the idea, I hope it reminds you to make time for simple meals that bring people together. That is what food memories are all about.
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