Cheesy Griddled Smashburger Quesadillas (Printable View)

Crispy beef patties melted between tortillas with sharp cheddar, American cheese, and sweet onions finished 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

# How To Make It:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The smash technique gives you crispy, caramelized edges on beef patties that stay juicy in the center.
  • Melted sharp cheddar and creamy American cheese create the perfect gooey pull in every wedge.
  • The tangy mayo-mustard sauce cuts through the richness and ties everything together.
  • Its faster than making burgers and quesadillas separately, and way more fun to eat.
02 -
  • Dont move the patties once you smash them or youll lose the crispy crust that makes this recipe special.
  • If your griddle isnt hot enough, the beef will steam instead of sear, and youll miss out on that deep caramelization.
  • Let the quesadilla rest for a full minute before slicing or the melted cheese will run out and make a mess on your board.
03 -
  • Press the patties hard and fast with a sturdy spatula, then step back and let the griddle do the work without fussing.
  • Brush the tortillas with melted butter instead of oil for a richer, more golden crust that tastes like classic grilled cheese.
  • If youre making multiple quesadillas, keep the finished ones warm in a low oven while you cook the rest so everyone eats at the same time.
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