Street Corn Smash Burger Tacos Recipe
These Street Corn Smash Burger Tacos combine juicy pressed burger patties cooked right on flour tortillas with a charred street corn topping and a creamy jalapeno sauce. This flavorful fusion recipe blends classic smash burger technique with Mexican-inspired toppings for an indulgent and satisfying taco experience perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
- Author: Dana
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 tacos 1x
- Category: Tacos
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican-American Fusion
For the Smash Burgers
- 1.5 lbs ground hamburger (80/20)
- 6 flour taco-sized tortillas
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Street Corn Topping
- 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 cojita cheese
- 1/4 cup cilantro, minced (stems removed)
- 1 jalapeno, diced
- 1/2 – 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 – 1 tsp Tajin seasoning
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the 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 (Hidden Valley or similar)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup buttermilk (optional, to thin sauce)
- Prepare the Street Corn Topping: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the corn kernels and cook, stirring frequently, until the corn chars and develops color, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Mix the Corn Sauce: In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, lime juice and zest, minced garlic, Tajin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well, then fold in the cooked corn, cilantro, scallions, diced jalapeno, and grated cojita cheese until thoroughly mixed. Optionally sprinkle with additional cojita cheese, Tajin, and chili powder for garnish.
- Make the Creamy Jalapeno Sauce: Using a food processor or blender, purée cilantro leaves with pickled jalapenos and their juice until very finely minced, scraping sides as necessary. In a separate bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and salt. Add the cilantro-jalapeno purée, stir to combine, then add fresh lime juice. Thin the sauce gradually with buttermilk if needed until desired consistency is reached.
- Form the Smash Burgers: Divide ground beef into six 3.5-ounce portions. Place each portion onto a 6-inch flour tortilla and press evenly into a thin layer slightly overlapping the tortilla edges to account for shrinkage during cooking. Season the burger surface with salt and pepper.
- Cook the Smash Burgers: Heat a griddle or large skillet to high heat. Place each tortilla burger side down on the skillet. Press firmly on the burgers with a spatula or burger press and cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until the bottom is browned and crispy. Carefully scrape beneath the burger and flip the entire tortilla. Cook the other side for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Assemble the Tacos: Remove cooked smash burgers from the skillet. Top each with a generous scoop of the prepared street corn topping, a drizzle of creamy jalapeno sauce, and a sprinkle of cojita or queso fresco cheese if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Pressing the burger thin on the tortilla ensures a crispy, flavorful crust while keeping the tortilla intact as a base.
- Adjust the level of chili powder, Tajin, and jalapeno according to your spice tolerance.
- Using buttermilk in the creamy sauce is optional but helps achieve a thinner, pourable consistency.
- For an even smokier corn flavor, try charring the corn over a grill instead of pan-searing.
- Make sure to use fresh lime juice for the best brightness in both the corn topping and sauce.
- Serve with additional hot sauce on the side for extra heat.
Keywords: smash burger tacos, street corn topping, creamy jalapeno sauce, Mexican fusion tacos, quick weeknight tacos