Cheesy Griddled Smashburger Quesadillas (Printable format)

Crispy beef patties meet melted cheese between golden griddled tortillas with tangy mayo-mustard sauce.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Smashburger Patties

01 - 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)
02 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder

→ Quesadillas

05 - 4 large flour tortillas (8-10 inches each)
06 - 8 slices sharp cheddar cheese
07 - 4 slices American cheese
08 - 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
09 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

→ Sauce

11 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
12 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
13 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

→ Optional Garnishes

14 - Sliced pickles
15 - Chopped fresh cilantro
16 - Salsa
17 - Sour cream

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, gently mix ground beef with salt, pepper, and garlic powder until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
02 - Preheat a flat griddle or heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and spread to coat the surface. Add sliced onion to one side of the griddle, cook while stirring occasionally until golden and softened, about 5 minutes, then transfer to a plate.
03 - Divide beef mixture into 8 equal portions and roll each into a loose ball.
04 - Place 4 beef balls onto the hot griddle, spacing them evenly. Immediately press each one flat with a heavy spatula or burger press to form thin patties about 4 inches across. Cook patties undisturbed until edges are deeply browned and juices bubble up, about 2 minutes.
05 - Season patty tops with a pinch of salt and pepper. Flip patties, then immediately top each with 1 slice of cheddar and 1 slice of American cheese. Cook until cheese is melted and edges are crisp, about 1 minute more. Transfer patties to a plate.
06 - Whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl.
07 - Wipe the griddle clean and reduce heat to medium. Brush both sides of each tortilla lightly with melted butter. Place a tortilla on the griddle and layer 2 cheesy patties side by side, sprinkle with some cooked onions, and drizzle with sauce. Top with a second tortilla.
08 - Cook until the bottom tortilla is golden and crisp, about 2 minutes, pressing gently with a spatula. Flip and cook the other side until golden, about 2 minutes more.
09 - Transfer quesadilla to a cutting board and let rest for 1 minute. Slice into wedges with a sharp knife or pizza cutter.
10 - Repeat assembly and cooking process with remaining ingredients to make 2 large quesadillas in total. Serve hot with pickles, cilantro, salsa, or sour cream as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The smash technique delivers crispy edges and a juicy center in every patty.
  • A dual-cheese blend of sharp cheddar and American cheese creates the perfect gooey texture.
  • Paper-thin patties ensure a balanced ratio of beef to tortilla in every bite.
  • The signature sauce adds a zesty, savory kick that ties all the flavors together.
02 -
  • Always wipe the griddle clean between cooking the beef and toasting the tortillas to ensure a clean, golden finish.
  • If you have leftovers, reheat them in a skillet rather than a microwave to restore the crispy texture of the tortilla.
  • Pressing gently with a spatula while the quesadilla is on the griddle helps the cheese bind the ingredients together.
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