Cheesy Griddled Smashburger Quesadillas (Printable)

Crispy beef patties meet melted cheese in golden tortillas with sweet onions and zesty 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:

01 - In a medium bowl, gently combine ground beef with salt, pepper, and garlic powder until just incorporated, 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 coat the surface evenly. 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.
03 - Divide beef mixture into 8 equal portions and roll each into a loose ball. Place 4 beef balls onto the hot griddle with even spacing. Immediately press each firmly with a heavy spatula or burger press to create thin patties approximately 4 inches in diameter.
04 - Allow patties to cook undisturbed until edges are deeply browned and juices bubble up on the surface, approximately 2 minutes. Season tops with a pinch of salt and pepper.
05 - Flip each patty and immediately top with 1 slice of cheddar and 1 slice of American cheese. Cook until cheese melts and edges crisp, approximately 1 minute more. Transfer patties to a plate.
06 - Wipe the griddle clean and reduce heat to medium. Brush both sides of each tortilla lightly with melted butter. Whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl.
07 - Place a 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 tortilla.
08 - Cook until the bottom tortilla achieves a golden, crisp texture, approximately 2 minutes, pressing gently with a spatula. Flip and cook the opposite side until golden, approximately 2 minutes more.
09 - Transfer quesadilla to a cutting board and allow to rest for 1 minute. Slice into wedges using a sharp knife or pizza cutter.
10 - Repeat assembly and cooking process with remaining ingredients to prepare the second quesadilla. Serve hot with desired garnishes including pickles, cilantro, salsa, or sour cream.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It marries the crispy, beefy satisfaction of a smashburger with the melty, handheld joy of a quesadilla.
  • The double-cheese layer creates pockets of gooey richness that ooze with every bite.
  • Sweet caramelized onions and tangy sauce cut through the richness perfectly.
  • You can have dinner on the table in under an hour with minimal cleanup.
02 -
  • Do not press the patties after the initial smash or you will squeeze out all the juices and lose that crispy crust.
  • Wipe the griddle clean between batches so burnt bits do not transfer to the tortillas.
  • Let the quesadilla rest for a full minute before slicing or the cheese will slide out everywhere.
  • If your griddle is not large enough, work in batches and keep finished quesadillas warm in a low oven.
03 -
  • Use parchment paper under your spatula when smashing the patties to prevent sticking and get an even press.
  • Whisk the sauce ingredients together in advance and store in the fridge so it is ready when you need it.
  • Reheat leftovers in a dry skillet over medium heat, not the microwave, to restore that crispy texture.
  • If you are feeding a crowd, keep finished quesadillas warm in a 200°F oven on a wire rack so they stay crisp.
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