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Smashburger Quesadillas

Smashburger Quesadillas

Smashburger Quesadillas are the ultimate weeknight dinner solution, combining the juicy, caramelized goodness of smash burgers with the cheesy, crispy delight of quesadillas. This recipe is incredibly useful for anyone craving maximum flavor with minimal fuss, perfect for busy families or solo cooks alike.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 quesadillas
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef 80/20 blend recommended
  • 4 burrito-sized large flour tortillas
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1/2 cup white onion finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup dill pickle slices chopped
  • 2 tablespoons burger sauce ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, relish, and a pinch of sugar mixed together
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • salt to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons butter softened (for cooking tortillas)
  • lettuce optional toppings
  • tomato optional toppings
  • extra burger sauce optional toppings
  • sour cream optional toppings

Equipment

  • Large, heavy-bottomed skillet or griddle
  • Spatula
  • Plate lined with paper towels

Method
 

  1. Divide the ground beef into four equal portions. Gently flatten each portion into a thin patty, about 1/4 inch thick. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce. You want these to be thin to ensure they cook quickly and get those beautiful crispy edges characteristic of smash burgers.
    1 lb ground beef, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, salt, freshly ground black pepper
  2. Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the burger patties in the skillet. Immediately press down on each patty with a sturdy spatula (or a burger press for best results) to flatten them even further and create a large surface area for searing. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until deeply browned and cooked through. They will cook very quickly due to their thinness. Remove the patties from the skillet and set them aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess grease.
    1 lb ground beef
  3. While the burgers are resting, place one tortilla flat on your work surface. Spread about 2 tablespoons of burger sauce evenly over one half of the tortilla. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of the cheddar cheese and 1/4 cup of the Monterey Jack cheese over the sauced half.
    4 burrito-sized large flour tortillas, 2 tablespoons burger sauce, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  4. Crumble one cooked burger patty directly over the cheese on the prepared half of the tortilla. Sprinkle half of the chopped onions and half of the chopped pickles over the crumbled burger.
    1 lb ground beef, 1/2 cup white onion, 1/4 cup dill pickle slices
  5. Fold the other half of the tortilla over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Repeat with the remaining three tortillas, burger patties, cheeses, onions, and pickles.
    4 burrito-sized large flour tortillas, 1 lb ground beef, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, 1/2 cup white onion, 1/4 cup dill pickle slices
  6. Wipe out the skillet used for the burgers, or use a clean one. Heat it over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of softened butter and let it melt, swirling to coat the pan. Carefully place one or two quesadillas into the skillet, being careful not to overcrowd it. Cook for 3-5 minutes per side, until the tortillas are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is completely melted and gooey. You may need to adjust the heat to prevent burning while ensuring the cheese melts.
    2 tablespoons butter
  7. Once golden and melted, carefully remove the quesadillas from the skillet. Let them rest for a minute before slicing them into wedges. Serve immediately with your favorite optional toppings like lettuce, diced tomatoes, extra burger sauce, or a dollop of sour cream.
    lettuce, tomato, extra burger sauce, sour cream

Notes

Leftover Smashburger Quesadillas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat in a dry skillet over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes per side, or in a toaster oven or conventional oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-8 minutes. Freezing is also an option; wrap tightly and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight before reheating.
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