Cheesy Griddled Smashburger Quesadillas (Printable Version)

Crispy quesadillas layered with smashburger patties, melted cheese, sweet onions, and tangy mayo-mustard sauce.

# What You 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

# How To Make It:

01 - In a medium bowl, gently combine ground beef with salt, pepper, and garlic powder until just blended, avoiding overworking the meat.
02 - Preheat a flat griddle or heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and spread evenly to coat the surface.
03 - Place sliced onion on one side of the griddle and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and softened, approximately 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate and reserve.
04 - Divide beef mixture into 8 equal portions and roll each into a loose ball.
05 - Place 4 beef balls onto the hot griddle with even spacing. Immediately press each firmly with a heavy spatula or burger press to form thin patties approximately 4 inches in diameter.
06 - Cook patties undisturbed until edges are deeply browned and juices bubble upward, about 2 minutes. Season tops with a pinch of salt and pepper.
07 - Flip patties and immediately top each with 1 slice cheddar and 1 slice American cheese. Cook until cheese melts and edges crisp, approximately 1 minute longer. Transfer to a plate.
08 - Wipe the griddle clean and reduce heat to medium. Brush both sides of each tortilla lightly with melted butter.
09 - Place a tortilla on the griddle. Layer 2 cheesy patties side by side, sprinkle with cooked onions, and drizzle with sauce made from whisked mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Top with a second tortilla.
10 - Cook until the bottom tortilla is golden and crisp, approximately 2 minutes, pressing gently with a spatula. Flip and cook the opposite side until golden, about 2 minutes more.
11 - Transfer quesadilla to a cutting board and let rest for 1 minute. Slice into wedges using a sharp knife or pizza cutter.
12 - Repeat the quesadilla preparation with remaining ingredients to make 2 large quesadillas total. Serve immediately with desired garnishes.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Crispy edges on the beef patties give you that diner-style crust in every bite.
  • Two kinds of cheese melt together into gooey, stretchy perfection.
  • The punchy mayo-mustard sauce cuts through the richness without overpowering the beef.
  • It cooks fast on one griddle, so you can feed a crowd without juggling pans.
02 -
  • Press the beef patties hard and fast the moment they hit the griddle, or they'll cook through before you get that crispy crust.
  • Wipe the griddle clean between batches so burnt bits don't stick to the tortillas.
  • Let the quesadilla rest for a full minute before slicing, or the cheese will ooze out and make a mess.
03 -
  • Use a burger press or the bottom of a small skillet to smash the patties evenly and get maximum surface contact with the griddle.
  • If you don't have a griddle, a large cast-iron skillet works perfectly and holds heat like a dream.
  • For a spicy kick, swap the sharp cheddar for pepper jack or tuck sliced jalapeños under the cheese before you close the quesadilla.
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