Description
These Big Mac Tacos are a fun and delicious twist on the classic Big Mac burger, featuring seasoned ground beef cooked directly on soft flour tortillas, topped with American cheese, shredded lettuce, sliced gherkins, diced onion, and a special homemade burger sauce that captures all the iconic flavors. Ready in just 26 minutes, they make for an easy and satisfying meal with all the familiar taste of a Big Mac in a convenient taco form.
Ingredients
Special Burger Sauce
- 1 cup (250 g) whole-egg mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp finely chopped gherkins (dill pickles)
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- ½ tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Cracked black pepper, to taste
Tacos
- 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) minced (ground) beef (lean or regular)
- 8 small soft flour tortillas
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp cracked black pepper
- Olive oil spray
- 8 slices American (burger) cheese
- 2 cups (60 g) shredded lettuce (iceberg, cos/romaine or gem lettuce)
- ½ cup (75 g) sliced gherkins (dill pickles)
- ½ onion, finely diced
Instructions
- Make the Special Burger Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the whole-egg mayonnaise, finely chopped gherkins, dijon mustard, ketchup, sweet paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and cracked black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated. Set the sauce aside to let the flavors meld.
- Prepare the Beef Tacos: Divide the minced ground beef into 8 equal portions. Working with one portion at a time, spread the beef evenly over one soft flour tortilla, leaving about a 5 mm (¼ inch) border around the edges to prevent spilling while cooking. The beef will shrink slightly, so try to spread it as close to the tortilla edge as possible. Repeat this process for each tortilla and beef portion.
- Heat the Pan: Preheat a large, heavy-based frying pan over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. This will ensure a good sear and even cooking of the beef on the tortillas.
- Season and Cook the Beef Tacos: Just before cooking, sprinkle each beef-topped tortilla with salt and cracked black pepper. Avoid seasoning too early to prevent the beef from becoming tough. Lightly spray the heated frying pan with olive oil. Carefully place a beef-covered tortilla meat-side down in the pan. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the beef is mostly cooked through and slightly browned.
- Flip and Finish Cooking: Flip the tortilla and cook for an additional 15 to 20 seconds on the tortilla side. If you notice excess liquid around the beef, flip the taco back meat-side down and cook for another 30 to 60 seconds to evaporate the liquid and finish cooking the beef. Repeat this cooking process, typically two tacos at a time, until all are cooked.
- Add Cheese and Keep Warm: Once the beef is cooked to your liking, flip the tortilla beef-side up in the pan and place a slice of American cheese on top of the hot beef. The residual heat from the meat will gently melt the cheese. Remove the taco from the pan. If needed, keep the cooked tacos warm in a preheated oven at 120°C (250°F) or 100°C (200°F fan-forced) until all tacos are cooked.
- Assemble the Tacos: Top each cheese-melted taco with shredded lettuce, sliced gherkins, finely diced onion, and a generous dollop of the special burger sauce you prepared earlier. Serve immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use lean or regular ground beef depending on your preference, but note that lean beef might dry out slightly faster.
- Do not add salt and pepper to the beef before spreading onto the tortillas to avoid toughening the meat.
- Cooking two tortillas at a time helps maintain a steady cooking process and warming of the taco shells.
- If you prefer a spicier sauce, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the special burger sauce.
- Soft flour tortillas are key to allow folding and eating like tacos without cracking or breaking.
- Leftover sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
