Smashburger Quesadillas (Printer-friendly)
Crispy tortillas stuffed with seasoned smashed beef, melted cheese, pickles, and burger toppings for a satisfying handheld meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef & Seasoning
01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)
02 - 1 tsp kosher salt
03 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
→ Quesadillas
06 - 8 medium (8-inch) flour tortillas
07 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
08 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
09 - 1/2 cup diced dill pickles
10 - 1/2 cup diced red onion
11 - 1/2 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
12 - 1/4 cup ketchup
13 - 1/4 cup yellow mustard
14 - 2 tbsp mayonnaise
15 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
# How to Prepare:
01 - Combine ground beef with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a bowl. Mix gently until evenly distributed, then form into 8 equal balls.
02 - Place a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and allow it to come to temperature.
03 - Place 2 beef balls on the hot skillet. Using a sturdy spatula, press down firmly to smash each ball into a thin patty approximately the diameter of your tortillas. Cook for 1-2 minutes until deeply browned, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until cooked through. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining beef.
04 - Wipe the skillet clean and reduce heat to medium.
05 - Lay a tortilla flat. Sprinkle 1/4 cup cheddar and 1/8 cup mozzarella over one half. Place a cooked smashburger patty on top, then add pickles, red onion, and a drizzle of ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise. Top with shredded lettuce. Fold the tortilla in half to enclose the filling.
06 - Melt a small amount of butter in the skillet. Place assembled quesadilla in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until tortilla is golden brown and cheese is fully melted. Repeat with remaining quesadillas, adding more butter as needed.
07 - Cut each quesadilla into halves or quarters and serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The crispy tortilla edges get that perfect fried crunch while the smashburger patties stay impossibly juicy inside
- Everything you love about a burger gets wrapped up in warm, melty, handheld perfection
02 -
- Smash the patties hard and don't move them for that first minute, or you won't get those signature crispy edges
- Don't overload with toppings or the cheese won't melt properly and the tortilla will tear
03 -
- Use a flat metal spatula to smash the patties, not a turner, for better contact with the pan
- Let quesadillas rest for a minute before slicing so the cheese sets up slightly