What You’ll Need: The Ingredients for Smashburger Bliss
For the Smashburgers:
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend is ideal)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
For the Quesadillas:
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 4 slices cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese!)
- 4 slices Monterey Jack cheese (optional, but adds great flavor)
- Your favorite burger toppings (lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, burger sauce, etc.)
- Butter or oil for cooking the quesadillas
Optional Sauces:
- Burger sauce (recipe below!) or your favorite store-bought sauce.
Burger Sauce (Optional):
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon sweet pickle relish
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Let’s Make Some Magic: Step-by-Step Instructions
Smash Those Burgers!
- Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions (about 4 ounces each). Gently form each portion into a loose ball – don’t overwork the meat!
- Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. The skillet needs to be HOT!
- Place the beef balls in the hot skillet, leaving enough space between them.
- Using a sturdy spatula or a burger press, immediately smash each ball down into a thin patty. You want them thin – about 1/4 inch thick!
- Season the patties generously with salt and pepper.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until a golden-brown crust forms on the bottom. Don’t move them around! Let them get nice and crispy.
- Flip the patties and cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Remove the smashburgers from the skillet and set aside.
Building the Smashburger Quesadillas
- Wipe out the skillet to remove any excess grease.
- Place one tortilla in the skillet.
- Sprinkle half of the cheddar cheese and half of the Monterey Jack cheese (if using) over the tortilla.
- Place one smashburger on top of the cheese.
- Add your favorite burger toppings! Don’t go overboard, or it will be difficult to fold.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese over the toppings.
- Top with the second tortilla.
- Butter the top of the tortilla (this will help it brown nicely).
- Cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese is melted and gooey. Gently press down on the quesadilla with a spatula to help it cook evenly.
- Remove the quesadilla from the skillet and let it cool slightly before slicing into wedges.
- Repeat with the remaining tortillas, cheese, smashburgers, and toppings.
Burger Sauce Time (If You’re Making It!)
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Serve with your Smashburger Quesadillas for dipping!
Pro Tips and Tricks for Quesadilla Perfection
Smashing Success: Tips for the Best Smashburgers
- Don’t be afraid to smash! The thinner the patty, the crispier it will be. A good smash is key to a great smashburger.
- Hot skillet is a MUST. A screaming hot skillet is crucial for developing that delicious crust.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook the burgers in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
- Use the right beef. 80/20 ground beef is ideal because the higher fat content helps to create a juicy and flavorful burger.
- Resist the urge to move the patties. Let them cook undisturbed for a few minutes to develop a good sear.
Quesadilla Conundrums: Avoiding Common Pitfalls
- Cheese placement is key. Putting cheese on the bottom and top layers helps to bind everything together.
- Don’t overfill the quesadilla. Too many toppings will make it difficult to fold and cook evenly.
- Medium heat is your friend. Cooking over medium heat will ensure that the tortilla browns nicely and the cheese melts completely without burning.
- Use a non-stick skillet or lightly grease your skillet. This will prevent the quesadilla from sticking and burning.
- Patience, young grasshopper! Don’t rush the cooking process. Let the quesadilla cook slowly and evenly.
Variations to Spice Things Up
Cheese, Please!
Experiment with different types of cheese! Pepper jack, provolone, or even a blend of Mexican cheeses would be delicious in these Smashburger Quesadillas.
Topping Transformations
Get creative with your toppings! Add bacon, grilled onions, sautéed mushrooms, jalapeños, or even a fried egg.
Sauce Sensations
Try different sauces! Chipotle mayo, sriracha mayo, or even a simple garlic aioli would be amazing.
Make it a Fiesta!
Add some Southwestern flair by including some elements from a Southwest Skillet. A little bit of corn and black beans would take this to the next level!
What to Serve with Your Smashburger Quesadillas
These Smashburger Quesadillas are delicious on their own, but they’re even better when served with some tasty sides. Here are a few of my favorites:
- French fries or sweet potato fries
- Onion rings
- Coleslaw
- A simple green salad
- Taco Rice Bowl (for a rice-based option!)
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re loving these Smashburger Quesadillas, be sure to check out these other delicious and easy recipes:
- Crack Burgers (for another burger fix!)
- Cheesy Garlic Chicken Wraps (for a lighter wrap option)
- Ham And Havarti Cheese Sliders (for a quick and easy appetizer or snack)
In Conclusion: Your Smashburger Quesadilla Journey Awaits!
So, there you have it – the ultimate guide to making the most amazing Smashburger Quesadillas! I hope you’re as excited as I am to try this recipe. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make it your own. And most importantly, have fun in the kitchen! Happy cooking!
What kind of ground beef is best for making smashburgers in these quesadillas?
An 80/20 ground beef blend is ideal because the higher fat content helps create a juicy and flavorful burger.
What’s the key to getting a good crust on the smashburgers?
A screaming hot skillet and not moving the patties while they cook are crucial for developing that delicious crust.
What are some good toppings to put in the smashburger quesadillas?
You can use your favorite burger toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and burger sauce. You can also add bacon, grilled onions, sautéed mushrooms, jalapeños, or even a fried egg.
What kind of cheese should I use for the quesadillas?
The recipe calls for cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, but you can experiment with other types like pepper jack, provolone, or a blend of Mexican cheeses.

Smashburger Quesadillas Ultimate Easy
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions (about 4 ounces each). Gently form each portion into a loose ball – don’t overwork the meat!
- Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. The skillet needs to be HOT!
- Place the beef balls in the hot skillet, leaving enough space between them.
- Using a sturdy spatula or a burger press, immediately smash each ball down into a thin patty. You want them thin – about 1/4 inch thick!
- Season the patties generously with salt and pepper.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until a golden-brown crust forms on the bottom. Don’t move them around! Let them get nice and crispy.
- Flip the patties and cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Remove the smashburgers from the skillet and set aside.
- Wipe out the skillet to remove any excess grease.
- Place one tortilla in the skillet.
- Sprinkle half of the cheddar cheese and half of the Monterey Jack cheese (if using) over the tortilla.
- Place one smashburger on top of the cheese.
- Add your favorite burger toppings! Don’t go overboard, or it will be difficult to fold.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese over the toppings.
- Top with the second tortilla.
- Butter the top of the tortilla (this will help it brown nicely).
- Cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese is melted and gooey. Gently press down on the quesadilla with a spatula to help it cook evenly.
- Remove the quesadilla from the skillet and let it cool slightly before slicing into wedges.
- Repeat with the remaining tortillas, cheese, smashburgers, and toppings.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, garlic powder, and paprika to make burger sauce.
- Taste and adjust burger sauce seasonings as needed.
- Serve burger sauce with your Smashburger Quesadillas for dipping!
