Smashburger Quesadillas
Smashburger Quesadillas combine seasoned ground beef smashed directly onto flour tortillas, cooked until crispy, folded with melted American cheese, and finished with classic burger toppings for a handheld, skillet-cooked comfort meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- Season salt black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder
- 4 to 5 large flour tortillas burrito size
- 10 slices American cheese
- Optional for serving: pickles diced onions, shredded lettuce, burger sauce
Instructions
- If using burger sauce, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, relish, garlic powder, and paprika. Set aside.
- Heat a large cast iron skillet or griddle over high heat until it’s smoking hot. This is key for getting that signature smash.
- Divide the ground beef into 4 to 5 equal portions. Season generously with season salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
- Take one portion of beef and press it directly onto one half of a tortilla, spreading it thin and evenly.
- Place the tortilla beef-side down onto the hot skillet. Use a sturdy spatula or burger press and press hard for about 30 seconds to maximize contact.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes until the beef is deeply browned and crispy. Flip the entire tortilla so the tortilla side is now on the pan.
- Immediately place 2 slices of American cheese on the beef side. Fold the tortilla in half over the cheese.
- Add a small amount of butter to the pan and cook the folded quesadilla for 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from heat, open carefully, and add shredded lettuce, pickles, diced onions, and a drizzle of burger sauce if desired. Serve hot.
Video
Recipe Tips
Make sure your skillet or griddle is extremely hot before smashing the beef onto the tortilla. High heat is what creates that crispy, restaurant-style Smashburger crust and keeps the meat from steaming instead of browning.
