Greek-Inspired Smash Burger Tacos
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
15 mins
-
Cook Time
1 hr
-
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
-
Servings
12 -15 small tacos
-
Calories
118 kcal
-
Course
Main Course
-
Cuisine
Greek
Greek-Inspired Smash Burger Tacos
Description
This recipe layers Greek flavors into tacos by combining ground chicken with grated onion, garlic, lemon zest, fresh mint, basil, and jalapeño to create a well-seasoned burger mix. The meat is spread thin on small tortillas and smashed onto a hot skillet coated with avocado oil to produce a browned, crispy exterior while remaining tender. A salad of shredded cabbage dressed with olives, feta cheese, dill, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and oregano complements the tacos with acidity and freshness. Pickled onions and creamy tzatziki are added as toppings to enhance flavor complexity.
The textural contrast between the crisp smashed chicken patties and the crunchy, slightly softened cabbage salad elevates these tacos. Cooking the patties directly on the tortillas allows the meat to crisp without needing extra buns, making a convenient handheld meal. Using fresh herbs like mint and basil in the chicken adds aromatic layers suitable to Greek-inspired cuisine.
Cooking the tacos one at a time allows for precise control but a larger pan or flat-top can speed preparation. Serving these with additional pickled onions and tzatziki adds cooling and piquant notes. The recipe suggests trying variations with a different meat filling, like beef or chicken Arayes, to explore related Middle Eastern flavors.
Ingredients
- 12 tortilla small
For the chicken
- 450 g ground chicken
- 1 red onion small, grated, excess liquid squeezed out
- 4 garlic cloves, pressed
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper ground
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- zest lemon from one lemon
- 4 tbsp mint minced, fresh
- 2 tbsp basil minced, fresh
- 1 jalapeno pepper seeds removed, minced
For the cabbage salad topping
- 3 cups green cabbage shredded
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp black olive finely chopped
- 2 tbsp green olive finely chopped
- 3 green onion chopped thin
- 1/4 cup feta cheese crumbled
- 3 tbsp dill minced fresh
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1/2 tsp oregano dried
Other toppings
- tzatziki (make our tzatziki recipe)
- onion make our pickled onions recipe, pickled
- feta cheese crumbled, extra
Instructions
Make the cabbage salad topping
- To a medium bowl add the shredded cabbage and sprinkle over the salt. Use your hands to massage the cabbage with the salt for a few minutes - this helps to just slightly soften the cabbage.
- To the cabbage add all of the remaining ingredients (pepper, olives, feta, dill, olive oil, red wine vinegar and dried oregano) and toss well. Set aside in the fridge.
Make the tacos
- Mix together the ground chicken, grated onion, pressed garlic, salt, pepper, olive oil, lemon zest, minced basil, minced mint and jalapeno.
- Press 2 tbsp of the chicken mixture onto a tortilla, making sure it’s as thin as possible so it cooks quickly
- Once hot, add 1 tbsp avocado oil to a cast iron or regular skillet and use a paper towel to swoosh it around the pan. Heat over medium heat. Once hot, place the tortilla chicken side down. Flatten / smash it into the pan using a flat surface (ie. bottom of a small pot or frying pan, metal flipper).
- Cook until well browned and cook through, about 4-6 minutes and then flip, cook for another 1-2 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through (165F).
- Remove from the pan and cook the remaining tortillas. **Only add more oil if the chicken starts to stick to the pan**
- Serve topped with tzatziki, cabbage salad, pickled onions and crumbled feta cheese.
Notes
- Cook tacos one at a time for even browning; use a larger pan or griddle to prepare multiple simultaneously if needed.
- The cabbage salad’s salt massaging step softens the cabbage slightly, improving texture.
- Fresh herbs in the chicken mixture add aromatic complexity; chop finely for even distribution.
- Serve with traditional Greek-style toppings like tzatziki, pickled onions, and extra feta for added flavor layers.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12-15 small tacos
Amount Per Serving
Calories 118 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 118kcal | 6% |
| Carbohydrates | 3.7g | 1% |
| Protein | 7.7g | 15% |
| Fat | 8.8g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.2g | 7% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5.1g | 26% |
| Cholesterol | 35mg | 12% |
| Sodium | 466mg | 19% |
| Fiber | 1.2g | 5% |
| Sugar | 1.5g | 3% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
