Tostada Crunch Burger

Name: Tostada Crunch Burger with Lime Crema
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 head romaine lettuce, shredded; 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 1/4 cup sour cream; 1 lime, zested and juiced; salt, to taste; 1 roma tomato, diced; 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced; 2 tbsp cotija cheese, crumbled; 1 lb ground beef; 2 tbsp burger seasoning; 1 tbsp beef tallow; 2 slices provolone cheese; 2 brioche buns; 2 tostada shells; fresh cilantro, for garnish

The Tostada Crunch Burger layers a juicy beef patty with a crispy tostada shell, zesty lime crema, and fresh toppings like jalapeño and cotija cheese for textured, bold flavor.

🌍American 🏷️Burger 🏷️Tostada burger 🏷️Crunch burger 🏷️Ground beef Lime crema

🏷️

🏷️Jalapeno

-0:00

american.tallowonTikTok

Total

20 min

Servings

2

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$28–$46

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by american.tallow

-0:00

american.tallowonTikTok

Ingredients

1/2 head romaine lettuce, shredded
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1 lime, zested and juiced
salt, to taste
1 roma tomato, diced
1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
2 tbsp cotija cheese, crumbled
1 lb ground beef
2 tbsp burger seasoning
1 tbsp beef tallow
2 slices provolone cheese
2 brioche buns
2 tostada shells
fresh cilantro, for garnishoptional

15 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Shred the romaine lettuce, then wash and dry thoroughly.
2
In a small bowl, prepare the lime crema by whisking together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime zest, and lime juice until smooth. Season with a pinch of salt.
3
Prepare the fresh toppings by dicing the tomato and thinly slicing the jalapeño.
4
Divide the ground beef into two equal portions and form them into patties, slightly larger than your buns.
5
Season the patties generously on both sides with your favorite burger seasoning.
6
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef tallow and let it melt.
7
Toast the inside of the brioche buns in the skillet until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
8
Place the burger patties in the hot skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side for medium, or to your desired doneness.
9
During the last minute of cooking, top each patty with a slice of provolone cheese and allow it to melt.
10
Assemble the burgers. Spread a generous layer of lime crema on the bottom bun.
11
Layer with shredded lettuce, sliced jalapeños, diced tomatoes, and crumbled cotija cheese.
12
Place the cooked cheeseburger patty on top of the toppings.
13
Top the patty with a crispy tostada shell. Garnish the tostada with fresh cilantro and an extra drizzle of lime crema.
14
Place the top bun on and serve immediately.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Season the ground beef generously with burger seasoning just before forming patties; avoid overworking the meat to keep patties tender.
Toast or warm the tostada shell lightly before assembly to enhance crispness and prevent it from absorbing moisture.
Apply lime crema to the tostada shell first as a moisture barrier, then layer lettuce before adding the hot beef patty to maintain shell texture.
Dice tomatoes and jalapeños just before serving to preserve their freshness and prevent the burger from becoming soggy.

Substitutions

Sour cream → Greek yogurt (tangier, higher protein)
Romaine lettuce → iceberg or butter lettuce (milder flavor, less wilting)
Cotija cheese → feta or queso fresco (similar salty, crumbly texture)
Tostada shell → crispy tortilla or fried wonton wrapper (different texture but maintains crunch)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooked beef patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently in a skillet. Prepare lime crema up to 2 hours ahead; assemble burgers immediately before serving to keep the tostada shell crispy.

Equipment

skillet or griddle · mixing bowl

Common Questions

How do you keep the tostada shell crispy?

Assemble the burger just before serving. Layer the tostada shell last or position it to stay separate from wet ingredients like the lime crema until the moment you bite.

Can you make the lime crema ahead of time?

Yes. Mix the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime zest, and lime juice up to 2 hours ahead. Store in the refrigerator and stir before using.

What type of tostada shell works best?

Use individual crispy tostada shells (not tortilla chips). They provide structure and won't break under the weight of the burger patty and toppings.

How thick should the beef patties be?

Form patties about 1/2 inch thick so they cook evenly and stay juicy without drying out. Make a slight indent in the center to prevent bulging while cooking.