If you love the irresistible combination of juicy burgers and crispy, cheesy quesadillas, you are going to be absolutely thrilled with this Smash Burger Quesadillas Recipe. Imagine that perfect sear and caramelized crust of a smash burger, sandwiched between golden, melty quesadillas layered with tangy pickles, sharp onions, and a creamy special sauce that will keep you coming back for more. This recipe turns classic comfort foods into a fun, shareable meal that’s perfect for game day, casual dinners, or any time you’re craving something wildly satisfying with a twist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple ingredients come together in this dish, each playing a vital role in building those bold flavors and textures that make the Smash Burger Quesadillas Recipe truly special. From rich beef and gooey cheese to zesty pickles and a tangy sauce, every component is essential to create that perfect bite every time.
- Mayonnaise: Forms the creamy base of the special sauce, adding smooth richness.
- Ketchup: Adds a hint of sweetness and tang to the sauce.
- Minced sweet pickles or relish: Gives the sauce a bright, crunchy pop of flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Balances the acidity and enhances flavor depth in the sauce.
- White vinegar: Adds subtle acidity to brighten the special sauce just right.
- Ground beef: The star of the smash burger, providing juicy, flavorful patties with a savory crust.
- Vegetable oil: Needed for a hot, even sear to achieve that signature smash burger crust.
- American cheese slices: Melt perfectly over the burgers creating that creamy, rich layer inside the quesadilla.
- Flour tortillas: Soft yet sturdy, perfect for wrapping all those mouthwatering ingredients.
- Yellow onion: Adds a touch of sweetness and crunch to contrast the richness.
- Dill pickle chips: Provide zesty briny bites that brighten every bite.
- Shredded iceberg lettuce: Offers crisp freshness and a slight coolness to balance the warm, cheesy quesadilla.
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper: Essential seasoning to elevate each component to its fullest flavor.
How to Make Smash Burger Quesadillas Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Special Sauce
Start by mixing together mayonnaise, ketchup, minced sweet pickles or relish, granulated sugar, and white vinegar in a small bowl. This special sauce ties the whole dish together with its creamy, tangy profile and can be made ahead and refrigerated until you’re ready to assemble the quesadillas.
Step 2: Form and Sear the Burger Patties
Divide the ground beef into four 5-ounce balls, handling them gently so they just hold their shape without packing them too tightly—this keeps the burgers tender. Heat vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet until it’s shimmering and nearly smoking. Place a meatball in the hot pan and smash it down firmly with a wide metal spatula or a hefty tool until it nearly matches the size of your tortillas. Let it cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes so a luscious, caramelized crust develops.
Step 3: Flip and Add Cheese and Toppings
Flip the patty carefully, scraping up the crusty bits left behind to keep all that flavor. Top the patty immediately with two slices of American cheese; after 30 seconds, add your dill pickle chips and a spoonful or two of finely chopped onion for crunch and zest. Then, place a tortilla on top and press down gently to help the cheese stick perfectly.
Step 4: Double Up and Finish Cooking
Flip the entire assembly again, add two more slices of cheese on top of the patty, then place the second tortilla over everything. Press firmly to adhere the quesadilla layers. Flip once more to ensure everything is heated through and extra cheese melts, usually about 30 seconds. Remove from the skillet and repeat this delicious process with the remaining burgers and tortillas.
Step 5: Slice and Serve
Cut each quesadilla into six wedges, perfect for sharing or diving into yourself. For the full experience, sprinkle shredded iceberg lettuce on top and drizzle with or serve alongside the vibrant special sauce for dipping. This final flourish takes the Smash Burger Quesadillas Recipe to the next level.
How to Serve Smash Burger Quesadillas Recipe
Garnishes
While the lettuce adds freshness and crunch, feel free to sprinkle chopped fresh herbs like cilantro or green onions on top to brighten the presentation and flavor even more. A dusting of smoked paprika or a little drizzle of spicy aioli can also kick up the excitement for your taste buds.
Side Dishes
The crispy, juicy nature of the Smash Burger Quesadillas Recipe pairs beautifully with classic sides such as crisp kettle-cooked chips, a fresh garden salad, or even crispy sweet potato fries. For something more indulgent, tangy coleslaw or a creamy guacamole dip also complement the rich flavors wonderfully.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress guests? Serve the quesadillas on a large wooden board with bowls of extra special sauce, pickles, and sliced onions on the side. You can also stack smaller quesadilla wedges into a fun tower or place them alongside mini dipping cups filled with spicy ketchup, mustard, or chipotle mayo for an interactive meal experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, wrap leftovers tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container to keep the quesadillas fresh for up to 3 days in the fridge. The flavors meld beautifully, and reheating is a breeze.
Freezing
The Smash Burger Quesadillas Recipe freezes well, making it a perfect make-ahead meal. Wrap individual quesadilla wedges in parchment paper and then foil to prevent freezer burn. Store for up to two months to enjoy later without sacrificing taste or texture.
Reheating
Reheat your quesadillas in a hot skillet or oven for the best results, which helps maintain crispiness while melting the cheese perfectly. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the tortilla soggy and the filling less appetizing.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cheese instead of American cheese?
Absolutely! While American cheese provides that classic melty texture and mild flavor, feel free to experiment with cheddar, pepper jack, or even a mix of cheeses to suit your taste preferences.
Is there a vegetarian version of this Smash Burger Quesadillas Recipe?
Yes! Swap the ground beef for plant-based ground meat alternatives or seasoned black beans to keep that hearty, satisfying quality while making the dish vegetarian-friendly.
Can I make the special sauce dairy-free?
Definitely! You can substitute mayonnaise with a vegan or dairy-free mayo option, and everything else in the sauce is naturally dairy-free, so you won’t lose any of the tangy goodness.
What’s the best pan to cook these quesadillas in?
A heavy 12-inch stainless steel, carbon steel, or cast iron skillet is ideal because it gets nice and hot, allowing the burgers to develop a great crust while heating the quesadilla evenly.
Can I double or halve this Smash Burger Quesadillas Recipe?
Yes, the recipe is very forgiving! Scale it up or down depending on your crowd or appetite. Just be sure to adjust the skillet cooking times accordingly and keep the patties roughly the same size for even cooking.
Final Thoughts
This Smash Burger Quesadillas Recipe is pure joy in every bite, blending the best of two beloved comfort foods into a single, unforgettable dish. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just spoiling yourself, it’s a simple yet delicious way to shake up your dinner routine. Give it a try—you’re going to fall in love with how easy and fun it is to make, and even more with how ridiculously tasty it is to eat!
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Smash Burger Quesadillas Recipe
Delicious Smash Burger Quesadillas combine the juicy, caramelized flavor of smashed cheeseburgers with the crispy, cheesy goodness of quesadillas. Perfect for a crowd, these quesadillas feature ground beef patties cooked to a perfect crust, layered with melty American cheese, tangy pickles, and onions, all pressed between warm flour tortillas and served with a tangy special sauce.
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 4 to 8 servings
Ingredients
Special Sauce:
- 6 tablespoons (90 ml) mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) ketchup
- 2 tablespoons (30 g) 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
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) vegetable oil
- 16 slices American cheese singles
- 8 (8- to 9-inch) flour tortillas
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 20 to 24 dill pickle chips
- 1 cup (45 g) shredded iceberg lettuce
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Special Sauce: In a small bowl, thoroughly mix together mayonnaise, ketchup, minced sweet pickles or pickle relish, granulated sugar, and white vinegar. Set the sauce aside or refrigerate if preparing ahead of time to allow the flavors to meld.
- Form the Beef Balls: Divide the ground beef into four equal portions, each weighing about 5 ounces. Gently press each portion just until the meat holds together without overworking it, ensuring loose but cohesive balls.
- Heat the Skillet: Warm 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a 12-inch stainless-steel, carbon steel, or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until the oil just begins to smoke, indicating it is hot enough for searing.
- Smash and Cook the Patties: Place one beef ball into the skillet. Using a wide, stiff metal spatula along with a heavy object or another spatula, firmly press down on the meatball until it spreads to roughly the diameter of a tortilla. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook undisturbed for about 2 to 3 minutes until a deep brown crust forms.
- Flip and Add Cheese and Toppings: Carefully flip the patty and scrape up any browned bits to incorporate into the flavor. Immediately place 2 slices of American cheese on the patty and let them melt for 30 seconds. Then add 5 to 6 dill pickle chips and 1 to 2 tablespoons of finely chopped onion.
- Assemble the Quesadilla: Place a flour tortilla on top of the melted cheese and toppings, pressing down firmly with the spatula to make sure the cheese adheres and the layers compact.
- Flip Again and Add More Cheese and Tortilla: Flip the patty with the tortilla, add 2 more slices of cheese, and top with a second flour tortilla. Press again to secure the layers. Flip once more to cook briefly for about 30 seconds, allowing all the cheese to melt thoroughly.
- Repeat for Remaining Patties: Remove the completed quesadilla from the skillet. Repeat steps 4 through 7 with the remaining beef balls, cheese, pickles, onions, and tortillas.
- Serve: Slice each quesadilla into 6 equal triangular pieces. Top with shredded iceberg lettuce if desired, and either drizzle with the prepared special sauce or serve the sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Use a sturdy spatula or tongs to get a good smash on the patties and create a flavorful crust.
- American cheese melts best for the perfect gooey texture in quesadillas.
- Adjust pickles and onions quantity to taste for desired tang and crunch.
- Serve immediately for best texture; quesadillas can be kept warm in a low oven if needed.
- For a spicier kick, add a few dashes of hot sauce to the special sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
