Smashed Cowboy Butter Steak-Style Tortilla Melts
with Spicy Dipping Sauce
Crispy, juicy, cheesy, and bold—these skillet tortilla melts are the ultimate comfort snack with a spicy twist!
Ingredients (Makes 10–12 melts)
For the Beef
1½ lbs (680 g) ground beef (80/20)
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
Cowboy Butter
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tsp Dijon mustard
½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
1 tbsp lemon juice
For the Melts
10–12 small flour tortillas (street-size)
2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella)
1 tbsp oil or butter for the skillet
Spicy Dipping Sauce
½ cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp garlic powder
1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare the Cowboy Butter
In a bowl, mix melted butter, garlic, parsley, Dijon mustard, chili flakes, and lemon juice. Set aside. - Season the Beef
In a large bowl, combine ground beef with smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently. - Smash & Cook
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a little oil.
Place small beef balls in the pan, top each with a tortilla, and press down firmly to smash the beef flat.
Cook beef-side down for 2–3 minutes until crispy. - Flip & Cheese
Flip so the tortilla side is down. Brush the beef with cowboy butter, sprinkle generously with cheese, and cook until cheese melts and tortillas turn golden and crispy. - Make the Dipping Sauce
Stir all sauce ingredients together until smooth. Chill for 10 minutes for best flavor. - Serve
Remove melts from the skillet, slice if desired, and serve hot with spicy dipping sauce.
Tips
Add jalapeños or caramelized onions for extra flavor
Swap beef for ground chicken or turkey
Serve with pickles or a fresh salad on the side