Hot-Honey Smash-Burger Tacos with Dill-Pickle Slaw

Alright team, let's get cooking! Today we're making something special: Hot-Honey Smash-Burger Tacos with Dill-Pickle Slaw. This is a flavor explosion – juicy, crispy, sweet, tangy, and a little bit spicy. Get ready for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

Yields: 4 servings Prep Time: 25 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• For the Smash Burgers:

  • 1 lb Ground Beef (80/20 blend is ideal for that nice crust)
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp Onion Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste
  • 4 slices Cheddar Cheese (Sharp or medium, your preference)
  • 4 slider buns or small, sturdy tortillas (corn or flour)
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil or Neutral Oil for cooking

• For the Hot Honey:

  • 1/4 cup Honey
  • 1-2 tbsp Hot Sauce (I like Frank's RedHot, but your favorite will work)
  • 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (optional, for extra heat)

• For the Dill-Pickle Slaw:

  • 1/2 head Green Cabbage, thinly shredded
  • 1/4 cup Mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp Dill Pickle Juice
  • 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
  • 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Sugar
  • 1/4 cup Finely Chopped Dill Pickles
  • Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste

Equipment:

• Large Skillet or Griddle (cast iron is best for smash burgers)
• Small Bowl
• Medium Bowl
• Spatula (thin and sturdy)
• Mixing Bowls
• Cutting Board
• Chef's Knife

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Hot Honey: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes (if using). Set aside. The flavors will meld while you prepare everything else. Taste and adjust the heat to your preference. More hot sauce = more fire!

2. Make the Dill-Pickle Slaw: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, pickle juice, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and sugar. Add the shredded cabbage, chopped dill pickles, salt, and pepper. Toss well to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. This gives the flavors time to develop.

3. Prepare the Burger Patties: In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Do not overmix! Overmixing leads to tough burgers. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and form each into a loose ball. Keep them separate; we'll smash them later.

4. Smash and Cook the Burgers: Heat the olive oil in the large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering hot, place the burger balls in the skillet, leaving enough space between them. Immediately use a sturdy spatula to smash each ball down as thin as possible – about 1/4 inch thick. The thinner, the crispier!

5. Cook the Burgers: Cook the burgers for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are deeply browned and crispy on the edges. Flip them carefully with the spatula.

6. Melt the Cheese: Immediately after flipping the burgers, place a slice of cheddar cheese on each patty. Allow the cheese to melt while the other side cooks.

7. Toast the Buns/Tortillas (Optional): While the cheese is melting, you can lightly toast the slider buns or tortillas in a separate dry skillet or under the broiler for a minute or two. This adds extra texture. Watch them carefully so they don't burn!

8. Assemble the Tacos: Spread a generous spoonful of the dill-pickle slaw on the bottom of each bun or tortilla. Place a cheeseburger patty on top of the slaw. Drizzle generously with the hot honey.

9. Serve Immediately: These tacos are best served hot and fresh. Get them to the table and watch them disappear!

Chef's Notes:

• Spice Level: The beauty of this recipe is you control the heat. Start with 1 tbsp of hot sauce in the honey and taste. Add more until you reach your desired spice level.
• Slaw Variation: If you prefer a creamier slaw, add a tablespoon or two of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
• Burger Customization: Feel free to add other toppings like crispy fried onions, crumbled bacon, or even a fried egg for extra decadence.
• Make Ahead: The slaw and hot honey can be made a day in advance. However, the burgers are best cooked fresh.

Enjoy! Now get out there and make some culinary magic!