Smashburger Quesadillas (Printable Version)
Crispy tortillas filled with smashed beef, melted cheddar, and fresh burger fixings for ultimate fusion flavor.
# Ingredient List:
→ Meats
01 - 1.1 lbs 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 mix of ketchup, mayo, mustard)
→ 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 Make:
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.
07 - Add 1/2 tbsp butter to the skillet. Place quesadillas in the skillet, cooking 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.
09 - Gently open each quesadilla and add lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and a spoonful of burger sauce. Close and slice into wedges.
10 - Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The smashing technique creates those gorgeous crispy edges that make restaurant burgers irresistible, but now they are tucked inside a tortilla
- You get the satisfaction of building your perfect burger with the handheld convenience of a quesadilla
- The cheese-to-beef ratio is exactly what your late-night cravings have been dreaming about
02 -
- Smash the beef directly onto the tortilla, if you preform patties they will not adhere properly and will slide out when you take a bite
- Let them rest for a full minute before cutting, the cheese needs time to set or you will lose all that goodness to the cutting board
03 -
- Prep all your toppings before you start cooking, these come together fast and you want to serve them hot
- Season the beef aggressively, some of that seasoning will cook off and you want every layer flavorful