Crispy Beef Blackstone Smash Taco (Printer-friendly)
Juicy smashed beef, melted cheddar and Monterey Jack, crisp tortillas, fresh toppings all cooked on a griddle for maximum flavor.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Beef & Seasonings
01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
02 - 1 tsp salt
03 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
04 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
→ Cheese Blend
06 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
07 - 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
→ Taco Shells
08 - 8 small flour or corn tortillas
→ Fresh Toppings
09 - 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
10 - 1/2 cup chopped lettuce
11 - 1/4 cup diced red onion
12 - 1/4 cup sour cream
13 - 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
14 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
→ Cooking Fat
15 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil or melted butter
# How-To Guide:
01 - Preheat your Blackstone griddle or large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the surface.
02 - Divide the ground beef into 8 equal balls, approximately 2 oz each.
03 - Season each ball evenly with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
04 - Place each tortilla on the griddle. Immediately top with a mound of shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese blend, covering the center of the tortilla.
05 - Place a seasoned beef ball on top of the cheese mound. Using a sturdy metal spatula or burger press, smash the beef ball firmly to spread it thinly over the melted cheese and tortilla.
06 - Cook for 2-3 minutes until the beef develops crispy edges and the cheese becomes golden and bubbly underneath.
07 - Flip the entire taco assembly quickly so the tortilla side crisps for 1-2 minutes.
08 - Transfer the crispy tacos to a serving platter.
09 - Immediately top each taco with lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño slices, fresh cilantro, and a dollop of sour cream.
10 - Serve hot while the cheese remains melted and the tortilla stays crispy.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The smash technique creates irresistible crispy edges on the beef while the cheese melts into a golden crispy lace
- Everything cooks on one surface in just minutes, making weeknight dinners feel like a taco truck experience
02 -
- Don't be shy when smashing the beef because the thin edges are what create that crispy texture everyone loves
- Work quickly once you place the tortilla on the griddle since the cheese starts melting immediately and you want everything to cook together
03 -
- Keep a spray bottle of water nearby to tame any flare-ups from the dripping fat
- Let your griddle heat up fully before starting because the high temperature is what creates the crispy edges