Big Mac Tacos

Is it a taco? A burger? Or both? What if I told you that it’s the best of both worlds! This delicious bite eats like a burger but looks like a taco! It’s a little bit of everything all wrapped into one! Say hello to your favourite fast-food burger re-imagined! A Big Mac in taco form! How fun!!!

I love a good burger, but McD’s Big Mac had a hold on me growing up! 3 soft buns, 2 juicy patties, a few slices of American cheddar cheese, some veggies (including pickles, onions and lettuce) for good measure and a creamy, flavourful and zesty sauce – it’s everything you want in a burger! Now, imagine all those ingredients stuffed inside a taco. Crazy concept, right?! Think again! My Big Mac Taco recipe takes your classic Big Mac ingredients and houses them in a corn tortilla.

A handful of ground beef is pressed onto a corn tortilla, cooked in a hot skillet until the meat forms a crispy crust and is flipped over to give the tortilla a slight char. Cheddar cheese is layered over top and melts ever so slightly. Now for the fixings – a generous spoonful (or two) of burger sauce, some finely chopped yellow onions, a few briny pickle slices and a mound of fresh, thinly sliced lettuce. There you have it – a Big Mac Taco waiting to be devoured! Roll up your sleeves and enjoy!

My Big Mac Taco recipe is what fast-food dreams are made of - all in the comfort of your own home! This surprisingly simple yet flavourful meal comes together quickly, uses a handful of everyday ingredients and couldn’t be easier to make! Enjoy it for lunch, dinner or as an afternoon snack! You really can’t go wrong! It makes for a satisfying dinner during a busy week, a special treat for a date night in and is sure to impress all your guests at your next dinner party, barbecue or celebratory occasion. So, let me show you how it’s done. Grab a spoon and come and cook with me!  

For more quick and easy dinner ideas, try my Cucumber Gazpacho, New York Style Italian Sandwich, Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas and Pasta al Limone recipes!

Prep Time: 10 - 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 - 35 minutes

Serves: 4 - 8

Ingredients:

Beef Tacos

• 8 corn tortillas (See Notes below)

• 1 ½ lbs lean ground beef, divided into 8 equal portions (See Notes below)

• 1 tsp kosher salt

• ½ tsp freshly ground pepper

• 2 Tbsp avocado oil

• 8 slices of sharp cheddar cheese

• 1 small yellow onion, peeled and finely chopped

• 2 medium dill pickles, thinly sliced

• 1 small head of romaine lettuce, thinly sliced

Burger Sauce

• 1 cup mayonnaise

• 1 medium dill pickle, finely chopped (approx. 3 Tbsp)

• 2 Tbsp ketchup

• 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

• 1 tsp red wine vinegar

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• ¾ tsp sweet paprika

• ½ tsp onion powder

• ¼ tsp freshly ground pepper

Special Equipment:

• 1 - 2 (11" x 17") baking sheets

• Cast iron or stainless-steel skillet

• 2 spatulas

• Large serving platter

Instructions:

1. To a medium bowl, add the mayonnaise, dill pickle, ketchup, mustard, vinegar, garlic powder, sweet paprika, onion powder and pepper and mix until fully incorporated. Transfer the sauce into the refrigerator to allow the flavours to meld.

2. Lay the tortillas in a single layer onto a large baking sheet. Top each with a portion of ground beef. Using your hands, pat the beef down in an even layer over the base of the tortillas. Season the patties with salt and pepper.

3. Set a large cast iron or stainless-steel skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add ½ Tbsp of avocado oil and 2 tortillas, meat side down. Using a spatula, press the tortillas down into the skillet. This will help you achieve a nice sear.

4. Cook for 3 minutes or until the beef forms a crispy crust. Then, flip and cook for another 2 minutes. Top each patty with a slice of cheese and transfer the cooked tacos to a clean baking sheet or serving platter. Repeat the process with the remaining 6 tortillas and 1 ½ Tbsp avocado oil.

5. Top each taco with a generous spoonful of burger sauce, 4 pickle slices, onions and lettuce and serve and enjoy!

   
   

Notes:

1. Corn Tortillas: You can find ready made corn tortillas at your local grocery store or you can make your own at home using 3 simple ingredients: masa harina, water and salt. Corn tortillas are generally gluten-free in nature. However, some store-bought varieties may include gluten (i.e. wheat flour) and other preservatives. Therefore, if you're following a gluten-free diet, always check the ingredients on the label prior to purchase and use.

2. Substituting the Corn Tortillas: If you're not looking for a gluten-free alternative or simply prefer flour tortillas over corn, you can substitute the corn tortillas in this recipe for the flour variety. To ensure a count of 8 tacos, look for smaller flour tortillas, measuring approximately 5 inches in diameter. 

3. Surface Area Matters: When forming the beef tacos, you want to press the ground beef all the way to the outer edges of the tortillas. This is important given the fact that the beef will shrink slightly as it cooks. This small yet critical step will help maximize the surface area of the beef, yielding a caramelized and crispy crust and a consistent and even cook.