Smashed Beef Tacos with Seared Salsa by Jamie Oliver

Ingredients

• 500g (1 lb) ground beef, 80/20 lean
• 8-12 small corn or flour tortillas
• 1 cup shredded monterey jack or cheddar cheese
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil, for griddle
• 1 tsp salt, for beef
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, for beef
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 3 medium roma tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 medium white onion, quartered
• 1-2 jalapeños, halved and deseeded (adjust to taste)
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1 tbsp olive oil, for salsa
• 1/2 tsp salt, for salsa
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, for salsa
• 1 small red onion, finely diced, for topping
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, for topping
• 1 lime, cut into wedges, for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat your griddle or large cast-iron pan to medium-high heat (about 200°C / 400°F).
2. For the seared salsa: Toss the halved roma tomatoes, quartered white onion, halved jalapeños, and peeled garlic cloves with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1/2 tsp salt. Place them cut-side down on the hot griddle.
3. Sear the salsa vegetables for 8-10 minutes, flipping occasionally, until deeply charred and softened. Remove from heat and transfer to a blender.
4. Add 1/4 cup fresh cilantro to the blender with the seared vegetables. Blend until smooth, adding a splash of water if needed to reach desired consistency. Set aside.
5. Prepare the beef: Divide the ground beef into 8-12 equal portions (about 2 oz each). In a small bowl, combine 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp onion powder. Mix well.
6. Add 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the hot griddle. Place a beef portion on the griddle and immediately smash it very thin with a sturdy spatula or burger press. Sprinkle generously with the spice mixture.
7. Cook the smashed beef for 2-3 minutes until the edges are crispy and browned. Flip the patty, immediately top with a sprinkle of shredded cheese, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. While the beef cooks, warm the tortillas on a separate section of the griddle or in a microwave for 30 seconds until pliable.
9. Assemble the tacos: Place a cheesy smashed beef patty onto a warm tortilla. Top with a spoonful of the seared salsa, diced red onion, and fresh chopped cilantro. Serve immediately with lime wedges.
10. Repeat the smashing, cooking, and assembly process for the remaining beef patties and tortillas.