Gluten-Free Big Mac Tacos w/ Smash Burgers
The easiest recipe for healthy & juicy gluten-free Big Mac tacos w/ smash burgers, cheese, corn tortillas, pickles, lettuce, & Big Mac sauce. They have all the juicy flavor of the classic Mcdonald’s Big Mac Cheeseburger but without the unhealthy extras.
This is the easiest and best-tasting healthy Gluten-Free Big Mac Tacos with smash burgers recipe. These smash tacos have all the juicy flavor of the classic Mcdonald’s Big Mac Cheeseburger and Big Mac sauce but without the unhealthy extras. Lean ground beef is spread on a gluten-free corn tortilla, seasoned, and then quickly grilled, topped with cheese, pickles or relish, green leafy lettuce, and an easy homemade Big Mac sauce with clean ingredients. The mouth-watering result is perfect for a quick and easy lunch or dinner. I’m showing you how to cook them with or without a weight on your burger for delicious results!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Big Mac Tacos Recipe
- You only need a few simple ingredients.
- It is super easy to make for an impressive result.
- The flavor-rich ingredients make it taste amazing!
- All the ingredients are easily digestible for a gentle tummy.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make the best-tasting Big Mac smash burger tacos:
Lean Ground Beef: Substitute with ground turkey, ground chicken, or plant-based alternatives like lentils, mushrooms, or crumbled tofu for a vegetarian option.*
Worcester Sauce: Use a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari with a dash of apple cider vinegar and a pinch of garlic powder for a similar umami flavor.*
Cheddar Cheese: Choose dairy-free cheddar alternatives for a vegan version or lactose-free cheddar if you need to avoid lactose. *
Corn Tortillas: Stick with corn tortillas, as they are already gluten-free. Check the packaging for any cross-contamination warnings if you have severe gluten allergies. You can use flour tortillas if you do not have a gluten allergy.
Mayonnaise: Use a gluten-free mayonnaise or make a dairy-free alternative using blended silken tofu, olive oil, lemon juice, and a touch of mustard. Here is a link to my delicious and easy homemade mayonnaise.
Mustard: Regular mustard is typically gluten-free. However, always check the label for gluten-containing additives. Dijon or stone-ground mustard should be safe gluten-free options. You can also use mustard powder or omit the mustard.
Maple Syrup: Ensure you’re using 100% pure maple syrup, which is inherently gluten-free. You can omit the maple syrup or use honey or agave instead.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Use any gluten-free vinegar like white vinegar, rice vinegar, or red wine vinegar as a suitable substitute.*
Paprika, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Salt: These seasonings are generally gluten-free. Double-check the labels if you’re uncertain. You can omit or substitute any of these seasonings with your favorite.*
Shredded Green Leafy Lettuce: Any gluten-free leafy greens, such as spinach, arugula, or kale, can be used as a substitute.
*I have not tested this substitution.
How to Make My Big Mac Tacos Recipe Gluten-Free
Step 1. Make the Big Mac Sauce
Combine the mayo, mustard, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and a dash of pepper in a small bowl. Whisk until well combined.
Step 2. Prep the Smash Burger
Divide your ground beef into 1/6 pound balls (2.6 ounces). Spread one ball of ground beef over a corn tortilla. Make sure it is an even thickness and extends barely over the edge of the tortilla.
Sprinkle with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper and a few drops of Worcester sauce.
Step 3. Cook the Smash Burger
Lightly spray a frying pan with oil over medium/high heat. Place the tortilla, meat-side-down, in the frying pan.
Option 1: Let the meat and tortilla cook for about 2 minutes or until the meat is browned and the juices run clear. Flip the tortilla over and top with a slice of cheese.
Option 2: Let the meat and tortilla cook with a heat-proof bowl with weight inside it (could be a small free weight, rock, or another heat-proof heavy object) for 1-2 minutes or until the edges of the meat are browned, and the juices run clear. Carefully remove the weight with an oven mitt. This will result in less shrinkage of the meat patty and it will cook very quickly.
Flip the tortilla and meat patty over and top with a slice of cheese. Cover with a lid for about 20-seconds until the cheese melts. Remove the smash burger and place it on a baking rack or paper towel-lined plate to cool. This allows the juices to run off and prevents the tortilla from becoming soggy.
If you cook multiple smash burgers, drain the grease from your pan occasionally so your tortilla does not become soggy.
Step 4. Assemble the Big Mac Taco
Layer the smash burger with several thinly sliced pickles or a spoonful of relish. Then spread a handful of thinly sliced lettuce.
You can spoon the sauce over the lettuce or pour some into a small plastic bag. Gently press the air out of the bag. Seal it closed. Then snip the tip with scissors and pipe the sauce on your big mac taco.
Then fold it in half and enjoy!
Big Mac Smash Burger Tacos Recipe Notes
Smash Burgers: Using lean ground beef helps reduce excess fat while maintaining the juicy flavor. You can also use ground turkey or a plant-based alternative if you prefer.
Dividing the ground beef into even balls ensures consistent cooking and makes it easier to spread on the tortillas.
The addition of Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper enhances the flavor of the beef patty.
Assembly: Adding pickles or relish and lettuce on top of the cheese keeps them fresh and crisp.
To achieve that classic Big Mac look, consider drizzling the sauce over the lettuce in a zigzag pattern or use the plastic bag piping method for precise distribution.
Serving: These tacos are best served fresh and hot. Enjoy them immediately after assembling to savor the juicy flavors and crispy textures.
Serving Suggestions:
You can customize your Big Mac tacos with additional toppings like diced onions, tomato slices, or even bacon if you desire a more elaborate twist on the classic Big Mac.
Do you love tacos? Check out more of my easy and nutritious taco recipes:
Gluten-Free Big Mac Tacos w/ Smash Burgers
Ingredients
Smash Burgers:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoons Worcester sauce
- dash onion powder
- dash garlic powder
- dash salt
- dash pepper
Big Mac Sauce:
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- dash pepper
Big Mac Taco Assembly:
- 3 cups shredded green leafy lettuce
- 6 slices cheddar cheese
- 6 corn tortillas
- 1/2 cup pickles or relish
Instructions
Big Mac Sauce:
- Combine the mayo, mustard, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and a dash of pepper in a small bowl. Whisk until well combined.
Smash Burgers:
- Divide your ground beef into 1/6 pound balls (2.6 ounces). Spread one ball of ground beef over a corn tortilla. Make sure it is an even thickness and extends barely over the edge of the tortilla.
- Sprinkle with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper and a few drops of Worcester sauce.
- Lightly spray a frying pan with oil over medium/high heat. Place the tortilla, meat-side-down, in the frying pan. Option 1: Let the meat and tortilla cook for about 2 minutes or until the meat is browned and the juices run clear. Flip the tortilla over and top with a slice of cheese. Option 2: Let the meat and tortilla cook with a heat-proof bowl with weight inside it (could be a small free weight, rock, or another heat-proof heavy object) for 1-2 minutes or until the edges of the meat are browned, and the juices run clear. Carefully remove the weight with an oven mitt. Flip the tortilla over and top with a slice of cheese. This will result in less shrinkage of the meat patty and it will cook very quickly.
- Flip the tortilla and meat patty over and top with a slice of cheese. Cover with a lid for about 20-seconds until the cheese melts. Remove the smash burger and place it on a baking rack or paper towel-lined plate to cool. This allows the juices to run off and prevents the tortilla from becoming soggy. If you cook multiple smash burgers, drain the grease from your pan occasionally so your tortilla does not become soggy.
Big Mac Taco Assembly:
- Layer the smash burger with several thinly sliced pickles or a spoonful of relish. Then spread a handful of thinly sliced lettuce. You can spoon the sauce over the lettuce or pour some into a small plastic bag. Gently press the air out of the bag. Seal it closed. Then snip the tip with scissors and pipe the sauce on your big mac taco.Then fold it in half and enjoy!
Video
Loved these!!! We used flour tortillas instead of corn. Tasted amazing!
Thank you, Joe, for the feedback! 🙂
These are seriously soooo good and easy! A new family favorite!
Yay, this makes me so happy! It’s one of my family’s favorites, too 🙂
This was SO GOOD! My 18mo old and 3.5 yr old boys devoured these. And my husband went back for seconds. Highly recommend.
That is so awesome!!! My kids love these too 🙂 Thank you for sharing your review.
Wish you would be my neighbor !👍💕