Breakfast tacos
Breakfast tacos! is a medium Tex-Mex recipe that serves 4. 520 calories per serving. Recipe by Your Behind BBQ on YouTube.
Prep: 7 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 37 min
Cost: $14.50 total, $3.63 per serving
Ingredients
- 8 oz Mexican Chorizo (casing removed, crumbled)
- 8 oz Ground Beef (80% lean)
- 4 Large Eggs (room temperature)
- 8 Small Flour Tortillas (6‑inch size)
- 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (mild cheddar, shredded)
- 0.5 cup Salsa Verde (store‑bought or homemade)
- 1 Avocado (sliced, rimed with lime to prevent browning)
- 0.25 cup Fresh Cilantro (chopped)
- 1 Lime (cut into wedges for serving)
- 0.5 tsp Kosher Salt
- 0.25 tsp Black Pepper (freshly ground)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil (for cooking)
Instructions
Prep Ingredients
Chop cilantro, slice avocado, crumble chorizo if in casing, and whisk eggs in a small bowl with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Time: PT7M
Cook Chorizo
Heat 1 tbsp oil in the cast‑iron skillet over medium‑high heat. Add crumbled chorizo and cook, breaking it up with the spatula, until fully browned and crisp, about 5 minutes.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: medium‑high
Form and Smash Burger Patty
Shape the ground beef into a loose ball. Push it into the hot skillet, then immediately press down with a sturdy spatula or burger press until about ¼‑inch thick. Season with salt and pepper, and cook without moving for 3‑4 minutes until edges are crispy, then flip and cook another 2 minutes.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: high
Fry Egg
Reduce heat to medium. Add a little oil if the pan is dry, crack an egg into the skillet, and fry until the whites are set but the yolk is still runny, about 2‑3 minutes. Season lightly with salt.
Time: PT3M
Temperature: medium
Warm Tortillas
Stack the tortillas and place them in the same skillet for 30 seconds per side, or until pliable and lightly toasted.
Time: PT2M
Temperature: medium
Assemble Tacos
On each tortilla, layer a spoonful of cooked chorizo, a piece of smashed burger patty, a fried egg, shredded cheddar, avocado slices, cilantro, and a drizzle of salsa verde. Squeeze a lime wedge over the top.
Time: PT2M
Serve
Serve the tacos immediately while hot, with extra lime wedges and salsa on the side.
Time: PT1M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 520
- Protein
- 25g
- Carbohydrates
- 35g
- Fat
- 30g
- Fiber
- 5g
Dietary info: High Protein, Contains Gluten, Contains Pork, Contains Beef
Allergens: Eggs, Milk, Wheat, Soy
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Mexican Chorizo: Italian sausage, spicy sausage
- Instead of Ground Beef: ground turkey, ground pork
- Instead of Large Eggs: egg whites, vegan egg replacer
- Instead of Small Flour Tortillas: corn tortillas, low‑carb tortillas
- Instead of Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Monterey Jack, Mexican blend cheese
- Instead of Salsa Verde: pico de gallo, tomato salsa
- Instead of Avocado: guacamole, sliced cucumber
- Instead of Fresh Cilantro: parsley, green onions
- Instead of Lime: lemon
- Instead of Kosher Salt: sea salt
- Instead of Black Pepper: white pepper
- Instead of Vegetable Oil: canola oil, avocado oil
Equipment Needed
- Cast Iron Skillet
- Spatula
- Chef’s Knife
- Cutting Board
- Grater (optional)
- Plate (optional)
- Small Bowl
- Spoon (optional)
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Cook chorizo until fully browned and crisp.
- Press the burger patty thin and cook on high heat for a crunchy crust.
- Fry the egg to the desired doneness without over‑cooking.
- Warm tortillas just enough to stay pliable but not soggy.
- Assemble with balanced toppings to avoid soggy tacos.
Chef Tips from the Video
- Use a well‑seasoned cast‑iron skillet for the best crust on the smash patty.
- Add a splash of the chorizo rendered fat to the egg for extra flavor.
- For extra heat, stir in a pinch of smoked paprika into the chorizo while cooking.
Troubleshooting
Patty isn’t crispy on the edges.
Press the patty firmly and cook on high heat without moving; avoid overcrowding the pan.
Egg becomes over‑cooked and dry.
Cook the egg on medium heat for only 2‑3 minutes and consider covering the pan briefly to set the top without flipping.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store cooked chorizo, smashed patties, and fried eggs in separate airtight containers for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze cooked chorizo and formed burger patties (uncooked) for up to 2 months; thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Room temperature: Assembled tacos are best eaten immediately; do not leave at room temperature longer than 2 hours.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Cook chorizo and smash patties ahead of time; reheat quickly in the skillet before assembly.
- Slice avocado and store with a little lime juice in an airtight container to keep green.
- Prepare salsa and chop cilantro the night before and keep refrigerated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of the Chorizo and Egg Smash Burger Breakfast Taco in Tex-Mex cuisine?
Breakfast tacos are a staple of Texas and northern Mexican street food, originally created as a quick, handheld morning meal for workers. The addition of chorizo and a smash‑burger patty blends traditional Mexican flavors with classic American BBQ influences, reflecting the cross‑border culinary exchange that defines Tex‑Mex culture.
What are the traditional regional variations of breakfast tacos in Texas and Mexico?
In Texas, breakfast tacos often feature scrambled eggs, potatoes, and various meats like chorizo or bacon, served on flour tortillas. In northern Mexico, they may use corn tortillas, include refried beans, and favor milder sausages. Some regions add cheese or salsa verde, while others keep it simple with just eggs and meat.
How is the Chorizo and Egg Smash Burger Breakfast Taco traditionally served in Texas?
It is typically served hot, folded in a soft flour tortilla, topped with fresh cilantro, diced avocado, shredded cheese, and a drizzle of salsa verde. A wedge of lime is offered on the side for a bright finish, and the tacos are eaten immediately for optimal texture.
What occasions or celebrations is the Chorizo and Egg Smash Burger Breakfast Taco associated with in Tex-Mex culture?
Breakfast tacos are popular at weekend brunches, early‑morning shift changes, and community festivals like Texas State Fair. They are also a go‑to comfort food for family gatherings and casual weekend meals.
How does the Chorizo and Egg Smash Burger Breakfast Taco fit into the broader Tex-Mex breakfast tradition?
It combines the heartiness of American BBQ (smash‑burger) with the spice and pork flavor of Mexican chorizo, embodying the Tex‑Mex ethos of merging bold, smoky, and spicy elements into a portable, satisfying breakfast.
What are the authentic traditional ingredients for a Chorizo and Egg Smash Burger Breakfast Taco versus acceptable substitutes?
Authentic ingredients include Mexican pork chorizo, 80% lean ground beef, flour tortillas, fresh cilantro, avocado, and salsa verde. Acceptable substitutes are Italian spicy sausage for chorizo, ground turkey for beef, corn tortillas for flour, and pico de gallo in place of salsa verde.
What other Tex-Mex dishes pair well with the Chorizo and Egg Smash Burger Breakfast Taco?
They pair nicely with refried beans, Mexican street‑style corn (elote), fresh fruit salad, and a side of black coffee or horchata for a balanced breakfast spread.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making the Chorizo and Egg Smash Burger Breakfast Taco?
Common mistakes include over‑crowding the skillet, which steams rather than crisps the patty; under‑seasoning the chorizo; over‑cooking the egg so the yolk hardens; and letting tortillas sit too long, causing them to become soggy.
How do I know when the smash burger patty is properly cooked and crispy for the Chorizo and Egg Smash Burger Breakfast Taco?
A properly cooked patty will have a deep brown, caramelized crust on the edges within 3‑4 minutes on high heat. Flip it once; the interior should be pink‑brown and reach 160°F (71°C). The patty should release easily from the skillet when it’s ready.
What does the YouTube channel Your Behind BBQ specialize in?
Your Behind BBQ focuses on outdoor grilling, BBQ techniques, and hearty comfort foods, often blending classic American BBQ with global flavors for approachable home‑cooking recipes.
How does the YouTube channel Your Behind BBQ's approach to BBQ and breakfast recipes differ from other cooking channels?
Your Behind BBQ emphasizes practical, equipment‑light methods that can be done in a backyard or kitchen, combining smoky BBQ fundamentals with quick‑prep breakfast ideas, whereas many channels focus solely on either elaborate BBQ or standard breakfast fare.
Last updated: September 2, 2026
