Description
Smash Burger Quesadilla is a crispy, flavor-packed mashup featuring deeply seared ground beef, layers of melty American cheese, tangy special sauce, and classic burger toppings sandwiched between golden flour tortillas. It delivers bold burger flavor in a crunchy, shareable quesadilla form.
Ingredients
- For the special sauce:
- 6 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons minced sweet pickles or sweet pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
- For the quesadillas:
- 20 ounces (570 g) ground beef (80% lean, 20% fat)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 16 slices American cheese
- 8 flour tortillas (8- to 9-inch)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 20 to 24 dill pickle chips
- 1 cup (45 g) shredded iceberg lettuce
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, ketchup, minced sweet pickles or relish, sugar, and white vinegar until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Divide ground beef into four equal portions (about 5 ounces each) and gently shape into loose balls.
- Heat a large stainless steel, carbon steel, or cast iron skillet over high heat. Add vegetable oil and heat until shimmering.
- Place one beef ball in the skillet and smash firmly with a metal spatula until thin and roughly the size of the tortilla. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook undisturbed for 2–3 minutes until a deep brown crust forms. Flip carefully.
- Top with 2 slices American cheese and cook about 30 seconds until beginning to melt. Add pickle chips and chopped onion.
- Place one tortilla on top of the patty and press firmly so the cheese adheres.
- Flip the stack so the tortilla is on the bottom. Add 2 more slices of cheese and place a second tortilla on top. Press gently.
- Flip again and cook about 30 seconds until cheese is fully melted and tortillas are golden and crisp.
- Transfer to a cutting board, repeat with remaining ingredients, then slice each quesadilla into 6 triangles. Top with shredded lettuce and drizzle with special sauce or serve sauce on the side.
Notes
- Use 80/20 ground beef for best crust and juiciness.
- A very hot skillet is essential for proper searing.
- American cheese melts best and helps bind the tortillas together.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat in a skillet to restore crispness.
- Freeze tightly wrapped for up to 1 month and thaw before reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 quesadilla
- Calories: 820 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 1180 mg
- Fat: 52 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
- Trans Fat: 2 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg
