Description
A culinary mash-up of juicy smash burgers and vibrant street corn that elevates taco night!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound Ground Hamburger (80/20)
- 6 Flour Taco-Sized Tortillas (6" diameter)
- to taste Salt and Pepper
- 3/4 cup Cilantro Leaves (large stems removed)
- 1/2 cup Pickled Jalapenos
- 2 tbsp Pickled Jalapeno Juice
- 3/4 cup Mayonnaise
- 3/4 cup Sour Cream
- 1 heaping tbsp Dry Ranch Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 tbsp Fresh Lime Juice
- 1/4 cup Buttermilk (optional)
- 5-6 ears Corn (husked and kernels removed)
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/3 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 Garlic Clove (minced fresh)
- 1 Lime (juiced and zested)
- 1/3 cup Sliced Scallions
- 1/3 cup Grated Cotija Cheese (plus extra for garnish)
- 1/4 cup Minced Cilantro (large stems removed)
- 1 Jalapeno (diced)
- 1/2 to 1 tsp Chili Powder
- 1/2 to 1 tsp Tajin
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- to taste Hot Sauce (e.g., Valentina)
Instructions
- Prepare Street Corn: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add corn kernels and cook, stirring frequently, until charred and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Mix Sauce Ingredients: In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, lime juice and zest, minced garlic, Tajin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to create a creamy sauce.
- Combine Corn and Sauce: Add the cooled corn, chopped cilantro, sliced scallions, diced jalapeno, and cotija cheese into the sauce mixture. Stir well to blend all flavors thoroughly, then set aside.
- Make Creamy Jalapeno Sauce: In a food processor or blender, puree cilantro and pickled jalapenos with 2 tbsp of pickled jalapeno juice until finely minced.
- Mix Creamy Base: In a bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and salt. Fold in the jalapeno-cilantro puree.
- Thin Sauce if Needed: Add fresh lime juice, and then thin the consistency with buttermilk one splash at a time until it's perfect for drizzling.
- Prepare Smash Burgers: Divide the ground beef into 3.5 oz portions and press each into a slightly larger 6” flour tortilla, overlapping the edges slightly. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook Burgers: Heat a griddle or large skillet over high heat. Place the burgers (burger-side down) on the hot surface. Firmly press with a spatula and cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until a crust forms.
- Flip and Finish Cooking: Use a spatula to scrape underneath the burgers, flipping the tortillas. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until cooked through.
- Assemble Tacos: Remove the burgers from the pan and place a generous scoop of street corn on each one. Drizzle with creamy jalapeno sauce, add optional hot sauce, then sprinkle with cotija or queso fresco cheese.
Notes
- Choose the Right Beef: Use 80/20 ground beef for the juiciest smashburgers. Leaner cuts may lead to less flavorful, dry patties.
- Tortilla Overlap: Ensure tortillas overlap slightly when pressing the burger; this accommodates any shrinkage during cooking, maintaining even thickness.
- Perfect Crust: Don’t flip the burgers too soon! Pressing down firmly for 2-3 minutes allows a crisp crust to develop, ensuring great texture in your tacos.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the street corn topping and creamy jalapeno sauce a day in advance. These flavors meld beautifully and save you time on taco night!
- Spice to Taste: Adjust heat in the creamy jalapeno ranch sauce by adding more or less pickled jalapenos based on your spice preference.
- Add Freshness: Top the tacos with additional fresh cilantro or diced jalapenos for a burst of flavor that brightens the overall dish.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling, Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Street Corn Smash Burger Tacos, smash burgers, tacos, recipe