Description
Indulge in a contemporary twist on traditional comfort food with these Cowboy Butter Smashed Beef Tortilla Melts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef (80/20 blend works best)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, finely grated or minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon flaky salt (or to taste)
- 10–12 small flour tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheddar or American cheese
- Butter or oil, for cooking
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (adjust to spice preference)
- 1 tablespoon pickle juice
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of cayenne
Instructions
- Start by taking a large mixing bowl and combine the ground beef with the seasonings. This includes smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. The blend brings an aromatic and compelling flavor to the beef. Mix well until the meat is thoroughly seasoned.
- Once the beef mixture is seasoned, divide it into 10-12 equal portions and roll each portion into a small ball. This will allow for even cooking and a perfect melt during the next steps!
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the melted butter with grated garlic, chopped parsley, Dijon mustard, an additional sprinkle of smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, oregano, and flaky salt. This delightful compound butter will significantly enhance the flavor of your tortilla melts.
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat, adding a touch of oil or butter to prevent sticking. When your pan is ready, lay a tortilla down and place one beef ball in the center of it. Using a spatula or burger press, smash the beef ball down until it flattens against the tortilla. This achieves a desirable crispy bottom while allowing the beef to cook thoroughly.
- Allow the bottom of the tortilla to become crisp and the beef to brown well, about 2-3 minutes. Flip the tortilla so the beef side faces down in the pan, and immediately sprinkle cheese generously over the top. Allow the beef to finish cooking and cheese to melt, which should take about another minute.
- As the tortilla melts cook, brush the edges with your homemade cowboy butter to enhance flavor even further. Once cooked, remove from heat and repeat the process with the remaining ingredients to create the rest of the tortilla melts.
- For a zesty complement to your Cowboy Butter Smashed Beef Tortilla Melts, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, hot sauce, pickle juice, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne in a bowl. Chill this sauce until you’re ready to serve it alongside your melts.
Notes
For those who prefer a milder flavor, adjust the cayenne pepper to your taste. Leftover cowboy butter can be stored and reused for other meals—perfect for grilled seafood or as a flavor booster for roasted vegetables!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
Nutrition
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Protein: 15 g