Description
Street Corn Smash Burger Tacos combine juicy, thinly pressed hamburger patties cooked right on flour tortillas with a flavorful, charred street corn topping and a creamy jalapeno sauce. This recipe offers a fun and delicious twist on tacos featuring smoky, tangy, and creamy elements perfect for a casual meal or entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
Smash Burgers and Tortillas
- 1.5 lbs ground hamburger (80/20)
- 6 flour taco-sized tortillas
- Salt and pepper to taste
Street Corn Topping
- 5–6 ears of corn (husked and removed from the cob)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 lime, juiced and zested
- 1/3 cup sliced scallions
- 1/3 cup grated cojita cheese
- 1/4 cup cilantro, minced (large stems removed)
- 1 jalapeno, diced
- 1/2–1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2–1 tsp Tajin
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Salt and pepper to taste
Creamy Jalapeno Sauce
- 3/4 cup cilantro leaves (large stems removed)
- 1/2 cup pickled jalapenos
- 2 tablespoons juice from pickled jalapenos
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1 heaping tablespoon dry ranch seasoning (Hidden Valley or similar)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lime juice, fresh
- 1/4 cup buttermilk (optional, to thin sauce)
Instructions
- Prepare the Street Corn Topping: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the corn kernels and cook, stirring frequently, until the corn starts to char and develop some color, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool.
- Make the Street Corn Sauce: In a large bowl, combine 1/3 cup mayonnaise, lime juice and zest from 1 lime, minced garlic, Tajin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth. Add the cooled corn, minced cilantro, scallions, diced jalapeno, and grated cojita cheese. Stir well to combine. Set aside and sprinkle with additional cojita cheese, Tajin, and chili powder before serving if desired.
- Make the Creamy Jalapeno Sauce: In a food processor or blender, purée cilantro leaves, pickled jalapenos, and 2 tablespoons of their juice until finely minced, scraping down the sides as needed. In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, dry ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and salt. Stir in the cilantro-jalapeno purée and fresh lime juice. Add buttermilk a little at a time to achieve your preferred sauce consistency. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Form and Cook the Smash Burgers: Divide the ground beef into six 3.5 ounce portions. Press each portion thinly and evenly onto a 6-inch flour tortilla, allowing the meat to slightly overlap the edges since it shrinks while cooking. Season the meat with salt and pepper.
- Cook the Burgers on the Stovetop: Heat a griddle or large skillet over high heat. Place the tortilla with burger side down on the hot surface. Using a spatula or burger press, firmly press down on each tortilla to flatten the patty. Cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes, until the bottom is browned and crispy. Carefully scrape under the tortilla with a spatula and flip it over. Cook the other side for another 1-2 minutes until the meat is cooked through and the tortilla is slightly toasted.
- Assemble the Tacos: Remove the cooked smash burgers from the skillet. Top each with a scoop of the street corn topping, a generous spoonful of the creamy jalapeno sauce, and an optional sprinkle of cojita or queso fresco cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful street corn smash burger tacos.
Notes
- The buttermilk in the creamy jalapeno sauce is optional and helps thin the sauce for easier drizzling.
- Adjust the level of chili powder and Tajin to your preferred spice level.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute the flour tortillas with corn tortillas.
- Using 80/20 ground beef ensures juicy burgers with good fat content for flavor.
- Pressing the burgers thin on the tortillas helps achieve a crispy exterior and quicker cooking time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Tacos
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: street corn tacos, smash burgers, creamy jalapeno sauce, Mexican tacos, ground beef tacos, taco recipe
