Take taco night to the next level with these mouthwatering Cheeseburger Tacos! Juicy seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and tangy pickles, all nestled in a crispy taco shell for a delicious fusion of flavors. Customize with your favorite burger toppings and enjoy a tasty meal that will satisfy everyone’s cravings!
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Key Ingredients
- Tortillas
- Ground Beef
- Cheese
- Burger Seasoning/Rub
- Worcestershire Sauce (Optional)
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Variety: Cheeseburger tacos offer a fun twist on traditional tacos and cheeseburgers, combining the best of both worlds in one delicious dish.
- Easy to Make: These are easy to make and require simple ingredients that are commonly found in most kitchens. They can be whipped up quickly for a satisfying meal, making them perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
- Customization: Like traditional tacos, feel free to customize these to suit your taste preferences. From the type of ground meat and cheese to the choice of toppings and condiments, there are endless possibilities for creating a dish you will love.
- Family-Friendly: The tacos are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike. They offer the familiar flavors of a cheeseburger in a format that’s fun and easy to eat, making them a great option for family meals or gatherings.
What Type of Meat to Use
Ground beef is a classic choice for cheeseburgers and provides a hearty and flavorful base for the tacos. You can also customize your cheeseburger tacos by using alternative meats or meat substitutes, such as ground turkey, ground chicken, or plant-based ground meat alternatives. These options can provide a lighter and healthier twist while still delivering delicious flavor.
What Type of Tortilla to Use
Flour tortillas work best for this type of taco because they are flexible and can easily wrap around the cheeseburger filling without breaking. Look for medium-sized flour tortillas, which are typically around 8 inches in diameter.
These tortillas will hold the cheeseburger ingredients well while still being manageable to eat. Corn tortillas can also work if you prefer their flavor, but they aren’t as durable as flour tortillas.
How to Make Cheeseburger Tacos
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Refer to the recipe card (scroll to the bottom) for air fryer instructions.
- Preheat a skillet on the stove at medium-high heat.
- Combine ground beef, spices, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl
- Form 6 patties using the beef.
- Place each patty onto a separate tortilla and then place the taco beef side down in the preheated skillet. Smash the taco into the pan and cook until it forms a golden crust.
- Flip the burger and add cheese (if desired). Cook for until the cheese has melted.
Substitutions and Add-ins
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Pickles
- Diced Onions
- Bacon
- Avocado
- Sliced Mushrooms
- Caramelized Onions
- Salsa
- Jalapenos
- BBQ Sauce
- Hot Sauce
Worcestershire Sauce
Worcestershire Sauce helps tenderize the meat, making it more juicy and tender. It also adds a balance of sweet, tangy, and salty flavors to ground beef, enhancing its overall taste without overpowering it. You can omit it or substitute using soy sauce.
How to Reheat
You can reheat these, but I don’t. They usually don’t taste the same. When ground beef is reheated, it tends to lose moisture. This loss of moisture can make the meat texture denser and sometimes tougher, affecting its taste and mouthfeel. When burgers cool down, the fat in the meat can solidify, making it less juicy and more firm. This can change the texture and flavor of the burger.
If you do plan to reheat, I recommend the oven or air fryer (at 350 degrees until warm) or in a skillet on the stove, with a little butter or oil at medium heat until warm.
Freezing
I wouldn’t recommend freezing these, for the reasons I named above. If you do plan to freeze them, you can freeze them tightly covered and sealed for 2-3 months.
Pair With These Recipes
Cajun Fries
Chipotle Rice
Smoked Salsa
Homemade Queso Cheese
Drizzle these in our Homemade Burger Sauce recipe.
Cheeseburger Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef I used 80/20 ground chuck beef.
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 6 8-inch tortillas
- 6 slices cheese
Homemade Burger Seasoning (Feel free to use store-bought blends if you wish)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika Regular paprika is fine if you wish.
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons dried minced onions
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat a skillet (I used a 12 inch cast iron) on the stove at medium-high heat.
- Combine the ground beef, spices, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl. Ensure the meat is fully seasoned.
- Form 6 patties using the beef. Mine weighed a little more than 2 1/2 oz for each patty.
- Place each patty onto a separate tortilla (it should stick) and then place the taco beef side down in the preheated skillet. Smash the taco into the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes until it forms a golden crust.
- Flip the burger and add cheese (if desired). Place a lid over the pan (you can also use foil if the pan doesn't have a lid) for 2 minutes or however long it takes for the cheese to melt.Use a meat thermometer to test doneness. 120-125 degrees rare, 130-135 degrees medium rare, 140-145 degrees for medium, 150-155 degrees for medium-well, and 160-165 degrees for well done.If you want a taco that folds, don't overcook the taco at this step because the tortilla will crisp pretty quickly. If you're looking for a crispy shell, then cook for a few minutes here.
- Allow the burger to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Load the burger taco with your favorite toppings.
Air Fryer Instructions
- If you want to fold the tortilla like a normal taco, I recommend cooking the burger separate from the tortilla because the tortilla will cook and crisp much faster than the time needed to cook the burger. You can add the tortilla to the air fryer to crisp once the burger cooks and while the burger rests.If you want a crispy tortilla shell, then you can load the burger meat onto the tortilla and place it in the air fryer.
- Air fry the burger at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes or however long it takes for them to reach your desired doneness. Use a meat thermometer. Every air fryer cooks at varying speeds so you will need to watch carefully.Use a meat thermometer to test doneness. 120-125 degrees rare, 130-135 degrees medium rare, 140-145 degrees for medium, 150-155 degrees for medium-well, and 160-165 degrees for well done.
- Allow the burger to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Load the burger taco with your favorite toppings.
Monica O
Monday 29th of April 2024
These were delicious! I used a low carb tortilla, and ground turkey, and topped with lettuce, tomato, and Greek yogurt. It definitely satisfied my cheeseburger craving, and the taco form made it easy!
staysnatched
Tuesday 30th of April 2024
Yes! So glad to hear it.