Smash Burger Quesadillas

Name: Smash Burger Quesadillas
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 quesadillas
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (80/20); 8 small flour tortillas; 2 cups shredded cheese; 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 2 tbsp ketchup; 1 tbsp yellow mustard; 1 tsp pickle juice; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp onion powder; Salt and pepper; Butter; Pickles, lettuce, tomato

Crispy quesadillas stuffed with smashed burger patties, melted cheese, and special sauce. Ready in 20 minutes. The viral mashup you need tonight.

The smash burger meets the quesadilla. Smash burger quesadillas give you the lacy crust and melty cheese of a smash burger wrapped in a golden tortilla. Ready in 20 minutes with one skillet.

Why You’ll Love This Smash Burger Quesadillas

20 minutes, one pan — faster than delivery.
Maximum crisp, maximum melt — lacy beef + gooey cheese + crunchy tortilla.
Special sauce included — the sauce that makes smash burgers addictive.
Customizable — jalapeños, bacon, any cheese.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef (80/20)
8 small flour tortillas (6-inch)
2 cups shredded cheese
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp mustard
1 tsp pickle juice
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
Salt and pepper
Butter for cooking
Pickles, lettuce, tomato

Equipment

Cast-iron skillet
Sturdy spatula
Parchment paper
Small bowl

How to Make Smash Burger Quesadillas

Step 1 — Special sauce (2 min)

Mix mayo, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, garlic powder, onion powder. Set aside.

Step 2 — Prep beef (3 min)

Divide beef into 8 x 2oz balls. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Step 3 — Smash and sear (8 min)

Heat cast-iron skillet over HIGH heat. Place beef ball, lay parchment over it, smash flat with spatula. Cook 2 min without moving. Flip, add cheese immediately, cook 1 min. Repeat.

Step 4 — Assemble (3 min)

Spread sauce on one half of each tortilla. Add cheesy patty + pickles. Fold.

Step 5 — Crisp (6 min)

Wipe skillet, medium heat, butter. Cook quesadillas 2-3 min per side until golden. Cut into wedges.

Pro Tips

Get the pan screaming hot. The smash needs ripping heat.
Use parchment for smashing. Prevents sticking and tearing.
Shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded won’t melt as smoothly.

Variations

Spicy: Pepper jack + jalapeños.
Bacon: Add crispy bacon to each quesadilla.
Chicken: Ground turkey works too.

What to Serve

Smash Burger Quesadilla, fries, cold beer or Sparkling Paloma.

Nutrition

Per quesadilla: 520 calories, 32g protein, 28g carbs, 32g fat.

Make extra special sauce — you’ll want it on everything.