The Ultimate Big Mac Smash Tacos: A Viral Recipe for Quick, Family-Friendly Meals

Big Mac Smash Tacos have taken the internet by storm, and for good reason! This viral sensation brings all the beloved, iconic flavors of a classic Big Mac burger but reimagines them in a fun, easy-to-eat taco format. Imagine perfectly seasoned ground beef, thinly smashed onto a warm tortilla, creating those irresistible crispy edges, then topped with melty American cheese, fresh shredded lettuce, tangy pickles, and of course, that infamous special sauce. The best part? You can whip up this amazing dinner in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights that the whole family will absolutely adore.

Delicious Big Mac Smash Tacos arranged on flour tortillas, topped with seasoned ground beef, vibrant shredded lettuce, tangy pickles, and a generous drizzle of homemade special sauce.

While I don’t typically jump on every social media trend, when it comes to food, my curiosity is piqued! If a recipe looks enticing and promises a delicious experience, I’m always eager to give it a try. It’s even better when it’s a fantastic copycat version of a beloved dish that I can easily recreate in my own kitchen. Plus, scoring some “cool points” with the kids by making something trendy and tasty is always a huge win in my book!

This TikTok viral Big Mac taco recipe isn’t just another deconstructed burger creation, like a cheeseburger casserole with pickles or a crockpot bacon cheeseburger dip. Instead, it offers a unique, streamlined approach: a homemade Big Mac experience expertly wrapped in a single, perfectly proportioned tortilla, folded just like a taco. The genius lies in the “smash” technique, where the beef is spread thinly across the tortilla.

Spreading the ground beef in a thin layer across the tortilla creates phenomenal crispy edges, mimicking the texture of a classic smash burger. This method ensures maximum flavor and a delightful crunch in every bite. Using a soft flour tortilla instead of a traditional bun provides the perfect balance of soft and crispy textures, making each bite an explosion of flavor and sensation. That’s precisely why these smash burger tacos are the absolute best way to enjoy Big Mac flavors in a fresh, new way!

Close-up of a single Big Mac smash burger taco, generously topped with crisp shredded lettuce, bright green pickle slices, and a luscious drizzle of secret sauce.

Each mouth-watering taco is topped with perfectly melted American cheese, a generous pile of fresh shredded lettuce, and a healthy drizzle of our homemade Big Mac special sauce. This combination creates an incredibly tasty taco that truly captures the essence of the classic burger in an innovative and exciting format. It’s a guaranteed hit the entire family will love!

For more delicious taco-inspired recipes perfect for your next taco night, be sure to try my taco lasagna, walking tacos, or taco baked potato recipes. They offer unique twists on beloved taco flavors!

Why You’ll Love This Big Mac Smash Taco Recipe

Iconic Flavor, Fresh Ingredients: Enjoy all the classic, irresistible Big Mac flavors, but with the added satisfaction of fresh, homemade ingredients. It’s a healthier, more delicious alternative to fast food.
Lightning Fast Dinner: These smash tacos are incredibly quick to prepare, going from pantry to plate in just 15 minutes! Perfect for those busy weeknights when you need a delicious meal in a flash.
Crowd-Pleasing & Customizable: Easily double or triple the recipe to feed more people, whether you’re hosting a party or just have a hungry family. Plus, they’re super easy to customize with your favorite burger toppings.
Viral Sensation at Home: Recreate the popular social media trend right in your kitchen and impress your family and friends with this fun and unique meal idea.
Crispy, Juicy Perfection: The “smash” technique ensures crispy, flavorful beef edges while keeping the inside juicy, all nestled on a perfectly crisped tortilla.

Essential Ingredients for Your Smash Big Mac Tacos

This section provides detailed ingredient notes and helpful substitution options to ensure your Big Mac Smash Tacos are perfect every time. You can find all precise measurements, ingredients, and step-by-step instructions in the printable recipe card located at the end of this post.

Ingredients for Homemade Copycat Big Mac Sauce: a bowl of mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, white vinegar, sweet pickle relish, paprika, salt, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder arranged beautifully.

For the Signature Special Sauce

The Big Mac isn’t complete without its secret sauce, and our homemade version is incredibly close to the original. Each ingredient plays a vital role in achieving that unmistakable creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor profile:

Mayonnaise: This forms the rich, creamy base of our special sauce, providing its signature velvety texture and mild flavor.
Ketchup: Mixed with mayo, ketchup gives the sauce its characteristic light pink hue and adds a touch of classic tomato sweetness and tang.
Sweet Pickle Relish: Essential for those iconic little flecks of bright green pickle and a burst of sweet-sour pickled flavor that cuts through the richness.
White Distilled Vinegar: A crucial ingredient that contributes a sharp, bright tang, balancing the creamy and sweet elements of the sauce.
White Granulated Sugar: Just a touch of sugar is needed to balance the savory notes and acidity from the vinegar and ketchup, creating a well-rounded flavor.
Key Seasoning Blend: You’ll need a precise blend of paprika for color and subtle warmth, black pepper for a gentle kick, yellow mustard for its distinct pungency, onion powder and garlic powder for aromatic depth, and coarse salt to enhance all the flavors. These spices are what truly bring the “Big Mac” essence to the sauce.

All the smash burger big mac taco ingredients laid out: crisp iceberg lettuce, finely minced onion, slices of American cheese, lean ground beef, soft flour tortillas, and plenty of sliced dill pickles, alongside various seasonings.

For the Smash Tacos Themselves

Lean Ground Beef: I highly recommend using extra lean ground beef (around 93% lean). This is crucial to prevent the tortilla from becoming soggy from excess grease. Avoid anything fattier than 80/20, as too much grease will compromise the crispy texture we’re aiming for.
Small Flour Tortillas: While corn tortillas can work, small flour tortillas (we used 6-inch) are generally softer, more pliable, and easier to spread the beef on, resulting in a better overall smash taco experience. Their mild flavor also lets the Big Mac taste shine.
Meat Seasoning: A simple yet powerful blend of garlic powder, onion powder, coarse kosher salt, and black pepper will perfectly enhance the beef’s flavor. Finely minced onion is also pressed into the meat, adding a fresh, pungent kick and authentic burger flavor.
American Cheese Slices: For the closest authentic Big Mac experience, classic sliced American cheese is a must. It melts beautifully and has that distinct creamy, mild flavor. However, feel free to use your favorite cheese; cheddar cheese slices are another excellent and popular choice.
Shredded Iceberg Lettuce: This is a signature Big Mac topping, and it’s non-negotiable for its refreshing, watery crunch and crisp texture that contrasts wonderfully with the warm beef and sauce.
Dill Pickle Slices: These add a vital tangy, crunchy, and briny element to every single bite, truly completing the Big Mac flavor profile. Don’t skip them!

How to Master Big Mac Smash Tacos: Step-by-Step

This detailed section walks you through the entire process of making these incredible tacos with step-by-step photos and clear instructions. For the complete printable recipe with all measurements, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located below.

Step 1: Prepare the Irresistible Special Sauce. In a small mixing bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients. Whisk them together thoroughly until they are perfectly smooth and well-combined. Once mixed, transfer the bowl to the refrigerator to chill. Allowing the sauce to rest and chill helps the flavors meld together beautifully, making it even more delicious when it’s time to serve.

Two-image collage showing Big Mac sauce ingredients in a mixing bowl before and after being stirred to combine, resulting in a creamy, orange-pink sauce.

Step 2: Prepare and Smash the Beef onto Tortillas. Take your pound of ground beef and divide it into 4 equal portions. This ensures uniform tacos. Grab one portion of the meat and carefully place it directly onto one of your small flour tortillas. Using your hands or the back of a fork, firmly spread and press the beef into a very thin, even layer across the entire surface of the tortilla. It’s okay if the beef doesn’t quite reach the very edges; the goal is a thin, wide patty for maximum crispiness.

Two-image collage demonstrating the process of preparing Big Mac smash tacos. Image 1: A portion of ground beef placed on a flour tortilla. Image 2: The beef is then smashed and spread into a thin, even layer across the tortilla using a fork, ready for seasoning.

Step 3: Season and Infuse Flavor. Generously season the beef-covered tortillas with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Next, add about 2 tablespoons of finely minced onion on top of the seasoned beef. Using your fingers or the back of a spoon, gently press the onions and seasonings firmly into the meat layer. This ensures the flavors adhere well and infuse into the beef as it cooks. Repeat this process for all remaining portions of ground beef and tortillas.

Pro Tip:

If you own a burger press specifically designed for making smash burgers, this is the perfect opportunity to use it! After placing the beef-covered tortilla in the hot pan (beef-side down), use the burger press to further flatten and spread the meat out, ensuring an even thinner layer and even crispier results. This is key to achieving that authentic “smash” texture.

Two-image collage illustrating the seasoning process for Big Mac smash tacos. Image 1: Ground beef thinly spread on a tortilla, ready for seasoning. Image 2: The beef has been seasoned with spices and topped with chopped onion, which is then pressed into the meat, ensuring even flavor distribution.

Step 4: Cook the Beef to Crispy Perfection. Heat a large non-stick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. There’s no need to add oil, as the beef will release enough natural grease. Carefully flip over the prepared tortillas and place them into the preheated skillet, beef side down. Cook for approximately 4-6 minutes, or until the ground beef is no longer pink and has developed a beautifully browned, crispy crust. The tortilla will also begin to crisp up during this time. Depending on the size of your cooking surface, you may need to cook these in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can steam instead of sear.

Two-image collage showing the cooking process of Big Mac smash tacos. Image 1: A taco with ground beef side down, sizzling in a hot skillet. Image 2: The same taco after being cooked and flipped over, revealing a perfectly browned and crispy beef layer on the tortilla.

Step 5: Melt the Cheese and Assemble. Once the beef is cooked, use a metal spatula to carefully flip the tortilla over so the crispy meat is now facing up. Immediately place a slice of American cheese on top of the hot beef. Cover the skillet with a lid for about 1 minute. This creates a steamy environment that quickly melts the cheese into a luscious, gooey layer and also helps to further crisp up the tortilla underneath. Once the cheese is perfectly melted, slide the assembled taco out onto a plate. Finish each taco by topping it generously with fresh shredded lettuce, the remaining pickles, and any extra minced onions if desired. Finally, drizzle liberally with your homemade Big Mac special sauce.

Two-image collage depicting the final stages of Big Mac smash taco preparation. Image 1: A cooked taco with a slice of American cheese melting on top of the hot beef. Image 2: The fully assembled taco, with melted cheese, crisp lettuce, tangy pickles, and a generous drizzle of the iconic Big Mac sauce.

Enjoy these incredible Big Mac Smash Tacos immediately! Serve them on their own for a satisfying meal, or alongside a generous helping of crispy french fries to truly capture those classic fast-food meal vibes at home. A side salad or some onion rings also make excellent companions.

A serving platter showcasing several completed Smash Big Mac Tacos, artfully arranged and drizzled with the signature secret sauce, ready to be enjoyed.

Storage and Reheating Tips for Big Mac Smash Tacos

These smash tacos are undeniably best enjoyed fresh off the skillet when the beef is crispy, the cheese is melty, and the tortilla is perfectly warm. However, if you happen to have any delicious leftovers, you can absolutely store them!

Place any remaining tacos in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 3 days. Be aware that the longer they sit, the softer (and potentially soggier) the tortillas will become, especially with the moisture from the lettuce and sauce. To help revive some of that coveted crispy texture, I highly recommend reheating them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes per side or in an air fryer until warmed through and crisped. In a pinch, the microwave will work for reheating, but the tortilla won’t regain its crispiness.

Expert Recipe Tips for Perfect Smash Tacos

Choose Your Skillet Wisely: Always use a good quality nonstick skillet for cooking these tacos. There’s no need to add any extra oil or nonstick spray; even extra lean beef will produce enough grease. Adding more can lead to a greasy, rather than crispy, tortilla, so trust the meat and the pan.
Time-Saving Hack: If you’re short on time or prefer a store-bought option, feel free to use your favorite brand of pre-made Big Mac sauce or a similar burger sauce. It will still be delicious!
Ground Meat is Key: Do not attempt to use pre-formed burger patties for this recipe. They will not spread thinly and evenly onto the tortilla like ground meat does, and you won’t achieve those signature crispy edges.
Stick to Burger Toppings: While it’s tempting to add traditional taco toppings, for an authentic Big Mac experience, stick to classic burger garnishes. Save the salsa, sour cream, and jalapeños for your next Taco Tuesday!
Maintain Crispness: If you’re not planning to serve the Big Mac smash tacos immediately, hold off on adding the shredded lettuce until just before serving. Keeping the lettuce separate ensures it stays crisp and fresh, preventing it from wilting and making the taco soggy.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the tacos in batches if necessary. Overcrowding the skillet will lower the temperature and lead to steaming rather than searing, preventing the beef and tortilla from getting properly crispy.

Exciting Additions and Variations to Try

Experiment with Different Ground Meats: For a lighter option, feel free to substitute ground beef with ground turkey or ground chicken. Just be sure to season them well to build up the flavor profile.
Vary the Sauce: While Big Mac sauce is undeniably the star, don’t limit yourself! You can absolutely use a different sauce. A classic homemade burger sauce, Thousand Island dressing (which is similar to Big Mac sauce), BBQ sauce for a smoky twist, a spicy mayo for a kick, or even just good old ketchup and mustard will work wonderfully.
Swap the Cheese: American cheese offers the classic melt, but don’t hesitate to experiment. A sharp cheddar cheese slice, spicy Pepper Jack for a bit of heat, or mild provolone can all be delicious alternatives. They’ll change the flavor profile slightly, but a good melty cheese is always a win!
Add More Veggies: Beyond lettuce and pickles, consider adding thinly sliced tomatoes, caramelized onions, or even some sautéed mushrooms for extra texture and flavor.
Make it Spicy: Introduce a little heat by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the ground beef seasoning, or a dash of hot sauce to your special sauce.

Close-up of smash burger tacos, Big Mac style, generously loaded with crisp lettuce, bright pickle slices, and drizzled with the signature homemade Big Mac sauce, highlighting the rich flavors and textures.

More Easy Ground Beef Recipes You’ll Love

Perfect Air Fryer Hamburgers
Hearty Taco Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Delicious Loaded Cheeseburger Muffins
Quick and Easy Sloppy Joe Pasta
Flavorful Philly Cheesesteak Sliders

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour?
Yes, you can, but flour tortillas are generally recommended for their flexibility and how well they crisp up. Corn tortillas can sometimes be a bit more fragile and may not hold the “smash” as effectively, but if you prefer the flavor, they will still work.
What kind of ground beef is best?
Lean ground beef (90% to 93% lean) is ideal. This minimizes excess grease, which can make the tortilla soggy. If you use a higher fat content, you might need to blot some of the grease from the pan before flipping the tacos.
Can I make the special sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely! The special sauce can be made several days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. In fact, allowing it to sit for a few hours or overnight often helps the flavors meld and deepen, making it even more delicious.
How do I get the beef to stick to the tortilla?
Pressing the beef firmly onto the tortilla while it’s raw is key. The slight moisture in the beef, combined with the pressure, helps it adhere. As it cooks, the meat will naturally stick to the tortilla. Using your hands or a fork to really “smash” it down works perfectly.
What if my tacos aren’t crispy?
Ensure your skillet is properly preheated to medium-low heat. The “smash” technique requires direct contact with a hot surface. Also, avoid overcrowding the pan, as this can lower the temperature and cause the tacos to steam instead of crisping up. Using lean ground beef also helps prevent sogginess from excess fat.

Recipe

Big Mac Smash Tacos on flour tortillas with seasoned ground beef, lettuce, pickles, and special sauce.

Recipe

No ratings yet

Big Mac Smash Tacos

Author: Jaclyn

Prep:

10 minutes

Cook:

5 minutes

Total:

15 minutes

All the Big Mac flavors you love in a quick and easy taco! Ready in just 15 minutes, these viral Big Mac Smash Tacos are perfect for a family-friendly dinner!

Servings:
4

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Ingredients

For the Sauce

▢

½
cup
mayonnaise
▢

2
tablespoons
ketchup
▢

2
tablespoons
sweet pickle relish
▢

1
teaspoon
white distilled vinegar
▢

1
teaspoon
white granulated sugar
▢

1
teaspoon
paprika
▢

½
teaspoon
black pepper
▢

½
teaspoon
yellow mustard
▢

¼
teaspoon
onion powder
▢

¼
teaspoon
garlic powder
▢

⅛
teaspoon
salt

For the Tacos

▢

1
pound
lean ground beef
▢

4
small tortillas
we used 6-inch
▢

½
teaspoon
garlic powder
▢

½
teaspoon
onion powder
▢

½
teaspoon
salt
or to taste
▢

½
teaspoon
black pepper
▢

¾
cup
yellow onion
minced, divided
▢

4
slices
American cheese
▢

1
cup
iceberg lettuce
shredded
▢

12
dill pickle slices

Instructions

In a small mixing bowl, mix all sauce ingredients until combined. Refrigerate.
Divide ground beef into 4 equal portions.
Spread each portion of beef onto a tortilla. Use a fork to “smash” and spread the beef out in an ever layer over the tortilla.
Season each taco with ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Add 2 Tablespoons of onion to each taco and press into the beef.
Place each tortilla, beef side down, in a preheated skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Cook for 4-6 minutes or until the beef is no longer pink. Depending on the size of your griddle or skillet you may need to cook them one by one or in batches.
Using a metal spatula, carefully turn over the tortillas. Add a slice of cheese and cover with a lid for 1 minute to melt the cheese and crisp the tortilla.
Remove from the skillet. Top with lettuce, remaining onion, pickles, and sauce. Enjoy!

Notes

Use lean beef to avoid greasy tacos.
For best taste enjoy fresh. However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet for best results or in the microwave (shell may soften).

Nutrition

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