Welcome to the recipe that will revolutionize your weeknight dinners. These Smashburger Quesadillas combine the irresistible, crusty edges of a classic smash burger with the cheesy, grilled perfection of a quesadilla. It’s the ultimate comfort food mashup you didn’t know you needed. Forget boring tacos or standard burgers; this dish delivers an explosion of flavor and texture in every single bite. We’ve crafted a simple, yet incredibly satisfying recipe that brings together juicy ground beef, melted cheese, and a tangy special sauce, all sandwiched in a crispy, golden-brown tortilla.
What Exactly Are Smashburger Quesadillas?
A Smashburger Quesadilla is a brilliant culinary hybrid. It starts with seasoned ground beef, which is pressed—or “smashed”—onto a hot griddle to create a thin patty with an incredibly savory, caramelized crust. That juicy patty is then layered with generous amounts of cheese inside a large flour tortilla, folded, and pan-fried until the outside is perfectly crispy and the cheese is gloriously melted. It’s essentially a burger’s soul tucked into the body of a quesadilla.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The Best of Both Worlds: You get the satisfying, beefy flavor of a smash burger and the convenient, cheesy goodness of a quesadilla in one amazing package.
- Incredibly Flavorful: Smashing the beef creates maximum browning, which equals maximum flavor. Paired with our secret sauce, it’s a taste sensation.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is surprisingly fast, making it perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. You can have these on the table in under 30 minutes!
- Family-Friendly: It’s a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. It’s fun, delicious, and easy to customize with favorite toppings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create a truly memorable meal. The star is the ground beef, but the homemade special sauce really takes it over the top.
For the Quesadillas:
- Ground Beef: 1 lb, 80/20 is ideal for the best flavor and juiciness.
- Large Flour Tortillas: 4 burrito-size tortillas.
- Shredded Cheese: 2 cups of a good melting blend, like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend.
- Seasoning: Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Butter or Oil: For the skillet.
For the Special Sauce:
- Mayonnaise: ½ cup.
- Ketchup: 2 tablespoons.
- Diced Pickles or Relish: 1 tablespoon.
- White Vinegar: 1 teaspoon.
- Garlic Powder: ½ teaspoon.
- Onion Powder: ½ teaspoon.
- Paprika: ¼ teaspoon.
How to Make Smashburger Quesadillas Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps to create the most delicious Smashburger Quesadillas. The key is to work quickly once you start smashing the beef to keep everything hot and ensure the cheese melts perfectly.
Step 1: Prepare the Special Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, diced pickles, white vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Stir until everything is well combined. Set the sauce aside to let the flavors meld while you prepare the quesadillas. For a similar but spicier sauce, check out this awesome spicy sauce recipe.
Step 2: Form the Beef Patties
Divide the ground beef into four equal portions (about ¼ lb each) and gently roll them into balls. Do not overwork the meat. Set them aside on a plate.
Step 3: Smash the Patties
Heat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Place one beef ball onto the hot surface. Immediately, use a sturdy metal spatula to firmly press down on the beef ball, smashing it into a very thin, wide patty. The thinner, the better, as this creates those delicious crispy edges. Season generously with salt and pepper. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, until a deep brown crust forms on the bottom.
Step 4: Assemble the Quesadilla
Flip the smashed patty. Immediately place one tortilla directly on top of the patty. Sprinkle ½ cup of shredded cheese over the patty and tortilla. Let it cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the cheese to begin melting and the tortilla to steam and become pliable.
Step 5: Fold and Crisp
Using the spatula, carefully lift the entire assembly (patty and tortilla) and flip it over so the tortilla is now on the bottom of the skillet. Spread a generous amount of the special sauce over the beefy side. Fold the tortilla in half over the patty. If your skillet is a bit dry, add a small pat of butter. Cook the quesadilla for 2-3 minutes per side, until the tortilla is golden brown and crispy and the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
Step 6: Serve and Repeat
Remove the finished Smashburger Quesadilla from the skillet and let it rest for a minute before slicing. Repeat the process with the remaining beef, tortillas, and cheese. Serve immediately with extra special sauce for dipping.
Tips for the Best Results
- Use High Heat: A very hot skillet is crucial for getting the perfect crust on your smash burger patty.
- Don’t Overwork the Meat: Gently form the beef into balls. Overworking it can make the final patty tough.
- Press Firmly: Use a strong, wide spatula to press the beef patty as thin as possible. This is the key to a true smash burger.
- Grate Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly. Grating your own from a block yields a much better result. For another cheesy delight, try these Southern Cornbread Poppers.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this classic Smashburger Quesadilla is fantastic on its own, feel free to get creative! Here are a few ideas to switch things up:
- Spicy Version: Add some chopped jalapeños with the cheese or mix a little hot sauce into your special sauce. You could even take inspiration from this Jalapeño Smash Burger recipe.
- Bacon & Onion: Add crispy bacon crumbles and sautéed onions on top of the cheese before folding the quesadilla.
- Different Cheeses: Experiment with Pepper Jack for a spicy kick, or smoked Gouda for a rich, smoky flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
These quesadillas are best served immediately to enjoy their crispy texture. However, you can prepare the components ahead of time. Mix the special sauce and form the beef balls and store them in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, the cooking process will only take a few minutes.
Absolutely! While 80/20 ground beef gives the classic smash burger flavor, ground turkey or chicken would also be delicious. Just be sure to season the meat well and cook it through.
The key to a crispy quesadilla is using a hot, dry pan (or one with a little butter/oil) and not overcrowding it. Cook each side until it’s golden brown and rigid. Also, ensure your filling isn’t too wet, which can create steam and make the tortilla soggy.
A smash burger is a specific technique where a ball of ground beef is pressed, or ‘smashed,’ firmly onto a very hot griddle or skillet. This creates a thin patty with a large surface area, resulting in a deep, savory brown crust and deliciously crispy edges.
A good melting cheese is essential. Classic choices like sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend work perfectly. For a creamier melt, you could also use American cheese. We recommend grating your own cheese for the best results.
Share Your Creations!
I hope you love making and eating these incredible Smashburger Quesadillas! They are a true game-changer for quick and delicious meals. If you try this recipe, I’d love to see it! Please leave a comment below or share a photo of your masterpiece on Pinterest. Your feedback helps more than you know!
Smashburger Quesadilla Recipe
Smashburger Quesadillas: The Ultimate Crispy, Cheesy Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, diced pickles, white vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika until well combined. Set aside.
- Divide the ground beef into four equal portions (about ¼ lb each) and gently roll them into balls.
- Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Place a beef ball on the hot surface and immediately use a sturdy metal spatula to smash it into a very thin patty. Season generously with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes until a brown crust forms.
- Flip the patty. Immediately place one tortilla on top, followed by ½ cup of shredded cheese. Cook for 1-2 minutes to let the cheese start melting.
- Using a spatula, flip the entire assembly so the tortilla is on the bottom. Spread special sauce over the beef, then fold the tortilla in half. Add butter to the pan if needed and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the skillet, let rest for a minute, then slice. Repeat for the remaining quesadillas and serve hot with extra sauce.
Notes
Tip 2: Grate your own cheese from a block for the smoothest, meltiest results.
Tip 3: Don't be afraid to press the burger patty very firmly. The thinner it is, the crispier the edges will be.
