Street Corn Smash Burger Tacos Recipe

Introduction

These Street Corn Smash Burger Tacos combine juicy smashed burgers with a zesty, creamy street corn topping for a bold and flavorful meal. Perfect for taco night, they blend classic Mexican flavors with the satisfying crunch of corn. Get ready for a fun twist on traditional tacos!

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs ground hamburger (80/20)
• 6 flour taco-sized tortillas
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 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 fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup buttermilk (optional)
• 5-6 ears of corn (husked and removed from the cob)
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 lime, juiced and zested
• 1/3 cup sliced scallions
• 1/3 cup grated cotija cheese
• 1/4 cup cilantro, minced (large stems removed)
• 1 jalapeno, diced
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon Tajin seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the corn and cook, stirring frequently, until it starts to char and gain color, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, lime juice and zest, minced garlic, Tajin, chili powder, salt, and pepper to make the street corn sauce. Stir in the cooked corn, cilantro, scallions, diced jalapeno, and cotija cheese until well combined. Set aside and sprinkle additional cotija, Tajin, and chili powder on top if desired.
3. Step 3: Prepare the creamy jalapeno sauce by puréeing cilantro leaves, pickled jalapenos, and 2 tablespoons of their juice in a food processor until finely minced.
4. Step 4: In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise and sour cream. Add ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and salt, mixing well. Stir in the cilantro-pickled jalapeno purée, then add lime juice. Thin the sauce with buttermilk, a splash at a time, until reaching your desired consistency.
5. Step 5: Divide the ground beef into six 3.5-ounce portions. Press each portion onto a 6-inch flour tortilla, spreading into a thin, even layer that slightly overlaps the edges to account for shrinking. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Step 6: Heat a griddle or large skillet over high heat. Place the tortillas burger-side down and firmly press with a spatula or burger press. Cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until browned and crispy. Scrape underneath with a spatula and flip the tortilla, cooking for another 1-2 minutes.
7. Step 7: Remove the smash burgers from the skillet. Top each with a generous scoop of the street corn mixture, a dollop of the creamy jalapeno sauce, and a sprinkle of cotija or queso fresco cheese if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For extra heat, add more diced jalapenos or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce.
• Use corn tortillas instead of flour for a more traditional taco experience.
• Substitute grilled or canned corn if fresh ears are unavailable.
• Make the creamy jalapeno sauce ahead of time to allow flavors to meld.
• Serve with lime wedges for squeezing fresh juice over the tacos.

Storage

Store leftover components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the smash burgers gently in a skillet over medium heat to retain crispness. The creamy sauces and street corn topping are best served cold or at room temperature and should not be overheated.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes, queso fresco, feta, or cotija are excellent choices. Each adds a slightly different tang and texture while keeping the authentic flavor profile.

How do I prevent the tortillas from getting soggy?

Cooking the burger mixture directly on the tortilla helps create a crispy base. Serving toppings on top just before eating and not letting the tacos sit too long will keep them crisp and delicious.

Street Corn Smash Burger Tacos Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 54 reviews

Street Corn Smash Burger Tacos combine juicy, thinly pressed hamburger patties cooked directly on flour tortillas with a zesty street corn topping and a creamy jalapeno sauce. This flavorful taco dish features charred corn mixed with tangy lime, spicy jalapenos, fresh cilantro, and savory cheeses, perfectly balanced by a cool, seasoned jalapeno crema that ties all the ingredients together in a fun and unique twist on classic tacos.

• Author: Amy
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 tacos 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Mexican-American Fusion

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Burger Tacos

• 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
• Additional cojita cheese, chili powder, and Tajin for topping

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 (such as Hidden Valley)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup buttermilk (optional, to thin sauce)

Instructions

1. Prepare Street Corn Topping: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add corn kernels and cook, stirring frequently, until charred and colored, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
2. Mix Street Corn Sauce: In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, lime juice and zest, minced garlic, Tajin, chili powder, salt, and pepper to make the sauce base. Stir in the charred corn, cilantro, scallions, diced jalapeno, and grated cojita cheese until well combined. Set aside and top with additional cojita cheese, Tajin, and chili powder if desired.
3. Make Creamy Jalapeno Sauce: In a food processor or blender, purée cilantro leaves with pickled jalapenos and 2 tablespoons of the pickled jalapeno juice until finely minced, scraping down sides as needed. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
4. Combine Jalapeno Sauce Base: In the same mixing bowl, add mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and salt. Stir well to combine.
5. Finish Creamy Jalapeno Sauce: Pour the cilantro-jalapeno purée into the mayo mixture and stir to combine. Add fresh lime juice and thin with buttermilk a splash at a time until desired consistency is reached.
6. Portion and Press Burgers: Divide ground hamburger into six 3.5-ounce portions. Press each portion thinly and evenly onto one side of a 6-inch flour tortilla, slightly overlapping the edges because the meat will shrink during cooking. Season the exposed meat with salt and pepper.
7. Cook Smash Burgers: Heat a griddle or large skillet over high heat. Place the tortilla meat side down onto the skillet. Using a spatula or burger press, firmly press down on each to ensure even cooking and contact with the pan. Cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until browned and cooked through on the bottom.
8. Flip and Finish Cooking: Carefully scrape under the burgers with a spatula to flip the entire tortilla-burger. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the other side is cooked and tortillas are warm and pliable.
9. Assemble Tacos: Remove the smash burgers from the skillet. Top each with a scoop of street corn topping, a drizzle of creamy jalapeno sauce, and a sprinkle of cojita or queso fresco cheese if desired.

Notes

• The buttermilk in the creamy jalapeno sauce is optional and helps to thin the sauce for easier drizzling.
• To add extra heat, increase the amount of diced jalapeno in the street corn topping or drizzle with hot sauce.
• The burger patties are smashed thin onto the tortillas to create a unique taco shell with integrated meat, providing maximum flavor in every bite.
• If fresh corn is not available, frozen corn kernels can be substituted but may yield less char.
• Use flour tortillas approximately 6 inches in diameter for best results with these smash burgers.

Keywords: street corn tacos, smash burger tacos, Mexican fusion, taco recipe, grilled corn recipe, jalapeno sauce, cojita cheese tacos