Smashburger Quesadillas (Printable version)
Crispy tortillas stuffed with juicy seasoned beef, melted cheddar, and classic burger toppings for an irresistible fusion meal.
# What you need:
→ Meats
01 - 1.1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend preferred)
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
03 - 1 medium tomato, sliced
04 - 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
05 - 2 dill pickles, sliced
→ Dairy
06 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
→ Tortillas
07 - 4 large flour tortillas (10-inch)
→ Condiments
08 - 4 tbsp burger sauce (or ketchup, mayo, and mustard mix)
→ Seasonings
09 - 1 tsp salt
10 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
11 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
12 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
→ Cooking
13 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
# How To:
01 - Preheat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.
02 - Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions and shape into loose balls.
03 - Place a ball of ground beef onto one half of each tortilla. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
04 - Using a spatula or parchment and a heavy pan, smash each beef ball thinly and evenly onto the tortilla.
05 - Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese over the smashed beef.
06 - Fold the tortilla over to form a half-moon shape, pressing gently to seal.
07 - Add 1/2 tbsp butter to the skillet. Place quesadillas in the skillet (in batches if needed). Cook 2–3 minutes per side until beef is cooked through and tortilla is golden and crisp, adding more butter as needed.
08 - Remove from skillet and let rest for 1 minute before slicing.
09 - Gently open each quesadilla and add lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and a spoonful of burger sauce. Close and slice into wedges.
10 - Serve hot while cheese is melted and tortilla remains crispy.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The smashed beef creates those irresistible crispy edges while staying juicy inside
- You get the satisfaction of a cheeseburger with the handheld ease of a quesadilla
02 -
- The smashing step is what makes this special, really press down hard to get those crispy edges
- Letting them rest for a minute before cutting keeps everything from falling apart
03 -
- Use parchment paper between your heavy pan and the meat for easier smashing and cleanup
- Warm your tortillas for 30 seconds in the microwave before starting to prevent cracking