Cheeseburger Tacos

Why You’ll Love It

Super tasty: Each bite combines the savory goodness of seasoned beef with the creamy richness of our special sauce, and the crisp, fresh crunch of lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles.
Easy to make: With simple steps and common ingredients, you’ll have a delicious meal ready in no time, perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
Crowd-pleaser: Serve them as part of a taco night!

Big Mac Cheeseburger Taco Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Ground beef: Use lean, good-quality ground beef at room temperature for your cheeseburger tacos recipe.
Fresh garlic: Mince it finely to ensure an even distribution of its savory goodness.
Garlic, onion, and chili powder: These seasonings add layers of rich flavor.
Ketchup: It’s the burger sauce ingredient that ties the taco filling to its burger roots.
Mayonnaise: Creamy and tangy, mayonnaise acts as a binder for the taco filling, adding moisture and richness while also echoing the flavors of a traditional burger dressing.
Shredded cheddar cheese: Sharp and melty cheddar cheese is the crowning glory of these tacos! Use shredded cheese or torn cheddar cheese slices.
Fresh lettuce: Choose a crisp and crunchy shredded lettuce.
Tomato: Use juicy, ripe, and bright red tomatoes.
Pickles: Layer in sweet, tangy, crunchy pickles or pickle relish.
Flour tortillas: Soft and pliable flour tortillas are the perfect vehicle for your cheeseburger taco.

How To Make Cheeseburger Tacos

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Cook the beef: Cook the ground beef until browned in a cast iron skillet, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
Add onions and garlic: Cook until translucent and add the garlic. Cook it for a minute.
Season the beef: Add water and season with garlic powder, chili powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well. Cook until most of the liquid evaporates.
Make the sauce: In a separate bowl, mix ketchup and mayonnaise to create a special sauce.
Warm the tortillas: Warm flour tortillas in a dry frying pan at medium-high heat or microwave for 15 to 20 seconds.
Assemble the tacos: Place a spoonful of the beef mixture onto each tortilla. Top with shredded cheddar cheese, lettuce, diced tomatoes, and chopped pickles. Drizzle with the special sauce and mustard.

Substitutions and Variations

Ground beef: Try ground chicken or turkey instead of beef. You can also use ground pork in this recipe. As an alternative, try plant-based crumbles.
Plant-based crumbles: For a vegetarian version, swap the ground beef with plant-based meat crumbles.
Cheese swaps: Use pepper jack, mozzarella, American cheese, or a Mexican blend for a different cheesy flavor.
Tortillas: For a gluten-free option, use corn tortillas. You could also swap grain-based wraps for large lettuce leaves. You can also use crunchy tortilla shells.
Seasonings: Use chopped chili or chili powder, smoked paprika, or chipotle powder. All of these add a sassy kick of heat!
Sauce variations: Use BBQ sauce, yellow mustard, sriracha, or ranch dressing in your recipe. Add melted cheese into a tangy, creamy sauce.
Smash burger tacos: Use hard taco shells and cook them on a hot griddle to make a smash burger taco version.

Serving Suggestions

Appetizer: Start with Mexican street-style corn or my ceviche.
Main: Enjoy a plate of these steaming cheeseburger tacos.
Dessert: End with Mexican rice pudding or these fun Mexican-style candy shots!

How to Store Cheeseburger Tacos

Store: Place leftover cheeseburger taco filling in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Freezer: For longer storage, you can freeze the taco filling. Let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. It will keep well for up to 2 months.
Thaw: When ready to use, thaw the frozen taco filling in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: Reheat the thawed taco filling in a skillet over medium heat until warm. You can also microwave it in a microwave-safe dish, covered, in 1-minute intervals stirring in between until hot. Warm the tortillas separately, and then assemble your tacos.