Description

Crispy-edged smash burger patties topped with smoky street corn, cotija cheese, and tangy lime crema in warm tortillas—a fusion of classic American burgers and Mexican street food.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ground beef (80/20)
2 cups fresh corn kernels
8 small flour tortillas
1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup red onion, diced
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Heat a cast-iron skillet or griddle over high heat until smoking hot, about 5 minutes.
2. Dry corn kernels thoroughly with paper towels. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to skillet and cook corn without stirring for 2-3 minutes to char. Stir and char another 2 minutes. Season with salt, chili powder, and lime juice. Transfer to bowl.
3. Add crumbled cotija cheese and half the cilantro to warm corn, mixing well. Set aside.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, garlic powder, and salt to make lime crema. Adjust consistency as needed.
5. Divide ground beef into 2-ounce portions and roll into loose balls. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Place beef balls on screaming-hot cooking surface and immediately press down firmly with spatula for 10 seconds. Cook undisturbed for 2 minutes until deeply browned.
7. Flip patties and cook another 60-90 seconds. Remove and keep warm.
8. Warm tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side until pliable with light brown spots.
9. Spread lime crema on each tortilla, add 1-2 smash burger patties, top with street corn mixture, drizzle more crema, and garnish with remaining cilantro and diced red onion.
10. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

Store components separately in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat patties in hot skillet for 2 minutes per side. Corn mixture can be made 2 hours ahead and kept at room temperature. For extra heat, add sliced jalapeños or hot sauce.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Mexican-American Fusion

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 tacos
Calories: 685
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 890mg
Fat: 42g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 32g