Description
Street Corn Smash Burger Tacos are the ultimate flavor-packed fusion of juicy smash burgers and vibrant Mexican street corn. Perfectly seared ground beef is smashed onto tortillas, then topped with a creamy jalapeño ranch and zesty esquites for a bold, satisfying bite. These tacos are quick to make, crave-worthy, and guaranteed to wow on any taco night.
Ingredients
- Main:
- 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20)
- 6 flour tortillas (6-inch)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Creamy Jalapeño Ranch:
- 3/4 cup cilantro leaves
- 1/2 cup pickled jalapeños
- 2 tablespoons pickled jalapeño juice
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon dry ranch seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/4 cup buttermilk (optional)
- Street Corn Topping (Esquites):
- 5–6 ears corn, kernels removed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Juice and zest of 1 lime
- 1/3 cup sliced scallions
- 1/3 cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 1/4 cup minced cilantro
- 1 jalapeño, finely diced
- 1/2–1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2–1 teaspoon Tajín
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare Street Corn Topping:
Sauté corn in olive oil until charred, about 5–7 minutes. Let cool, then mix with mayo, lime juice/zest, garlic, scallions, cotija, cilantro, jalapeño, chili powder, Tajín, and salt. - Make Jalapeño Ranch:
Blend cilantro, pickled jalapeños, and juice until smooth. Combine with mayo, sour cream, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, salt, lime juice, and buttermilk. - Form Smash Burgers:
Divide beef into 6 equal balls. Press each onto one side of a tortilla and season with salt and pepper. - Cook Tacos:
Place tortillas beef-side down in a hot skillet. Press firmly and cook 2–3 minutes until seared. Flip and toast tortilla side 1–2 minutes. - Assemble:
Top each taco with street corn mixture and a drizzle of jalapeño ranch. Add extra cotija or hot sauce if desired.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef or turkey for a lighter version.
- Prep sauces and toppings a day ahead for better flavor.
- Customize with avocado, black beans, or other toppings for variety.
- Corn tortillas work too, just warm them well to prevent tearing.
