Name: Smashburger Quesadillas
Prep time: PT-487921H54M15S
Cook time: PT-487921H54M15S
Total time: PT-487921H54M15S
Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients: Ground beef; Garlic powder; Onion powder; Salt; 10-inch flour tortilla; Mexican-blend shredded cheese; Red onion (diced); Jalapeño (diced); Roma tomato (diced); Chipotle mayo; Vegetable oil; American cheese singles; Flour tortillas (8–9-inch); Yellow onion (finely chopped); Dill pickle chips; Shredded iceberg lettuce; Special sauce (mayonnaise, ketchup, pickles or relish, sugar, white vinegar)

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A delicious fusion of a crispy, cheesy quesadilla and a juicy smash burger—all layered between flour tortillas and melted cheese, with burger sauce or chipotle mayo to tie the best of both worlds together.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Combines the bold flavors of a smash burger with the satisfying crunch of a quesadilla
Quick to prepare—perfect for a comfort-food fix in under 20 minutes
Highly customizable: swap cheeses, sauces, or toppings to suit your taste

Ingredients

Ground beef
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Salt
10-inch flour tortilla
Mexican-blend shredded cheese
Red onion (diced)
Jalapeño (diced)
Roma tomato (diced)
Chipotle mayo

For the Smash Burger Quesadillas with special sauce (based on Serious Eats):

Ground beef
Vegetable oil
American cheese singles
Flour tortillas (8–9-inch)
Yellow onion (finely chopped)
Dill pickle chips
Shredded iceberg lettuce
Special sauce (mayonnaise, ketchup, pickles or relish, sugar, white vinegar)

Directions

Option 1: Mexican-style with chipotle mayo (Candid Cooks version):

Mix ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, and salt; form into a log.
Preheat skillet over medium-high heat, smash the beef into a patty, cook ~3 minutes per side.
In a separate pan over medium-low heat, place a tortilla; sprinkle cheese over half, add onion, jalapeño, tomato. Cook open-faced until cheese melts.
Transfer the patty onto the cheese side, drizzle chipotle mayo, fold the tortilla over.
Slice and serve immediately.

Option 2: Double-tortilla with special sauce (Serious Eats version):

Prepare special sauce by whisking mayonnaise, ketchup, pickles or relish, sugar, and vinegar.
Divide ground beef into ~5-oz balls. Heat oil in a smoking-hot skillet, smash each ball into a patty, season with salt and pepper. Cook 2–3 minutes per side.
Top patty with 2 slices of American cheese, then onions and pickles.
Place a tortilla on top, press to adhere; flip, add cheese and a second tortilla, press again, and cook briefly until cheese melts.
Slice each quesadilla into wedges, top with shredded lettuce and drizzle or serve with special sauce.

Servings and timing

Option 1 (Candid Cooks style):
- Makes ~2 quesadillas
- Prep: ~7 minutes
- Cook: ~11 minutes
- Total: ~18 minutes
Option 2 (Serious Eats style):
- Makes 4–8 servings (depends on how many patties/tortillas you assemble)
- Prep: ~10 minutes
- Cook: ~15 minutes
- Total: ~25 minutes

Storage/Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 days.
To reheat, use a skillet or pan over low heat until warmed through and the tortilla becomes crisp again. Optionally, warm in an air fryer for a few minutes.

FAQs

1. Can I make this vegetarian?

Yes—swap the beef patty for a plant-based burger, seasoned or pre-smoked, and proceed with the recipe as written.

2. What’s a good substitute for chipotle mayo?

Try chili-lime crema, avocado crema, or a smoky aioli to maintain that creamy, flavorful punch.

3. Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour?

Flour tortillas hold up better and crisp nicely—corn tortillas tend to get soggy for this recipe.

4. Can I prepare the sauce ahead?

Absolutely—special sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance and kept refrigerated.

5. How do I adjust the heat level?

Add or reduce jalapeño, or choose a milder or spicier sauce depending on your preference.

6. What cheese works best?

Mexican-blend, American singles, or any melty cheese like Monterey Jack or cheddar work great.

7. Can I freeze leftovers?

You can freeze, but reheating may affect the tortilla’s texture; best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated.

8. How do I prevent the quesadilla from falling apart?

Use two tortillas (top and bottom) and press firmly during cooking—cheese acts as a glue.

9. Can I double the recipe?

Yes—scale beef, tortillas, and toppings accordingly; each tortilla typically holds one smash patty.

10. Any side dish recommendations?

Serve with fries, tater tots, chips and salsa, guacamole, or a crisp salad for a full meal.

Conclusion

Smashburger Quesadillas are an indulgent and creative way to combine two beloved comfort foods. Whether you go with a spicy chipotle-mayo version or a classic double-tortilla with special sauce, this mash-up is sure to satisfy your burger and quesadilla cravings in one gooey, crispy bite.

Jane

Smashburger Quesadillas

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ingredients

Directions

Servings and timing

Storage/Reheating