Cheesy Griddled Smashburger Quesadillas (Printable)

Crispy tortillas layered with thin smashburger patties, melted cheese blend, and sweet onions in a tangy 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 kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and garlic powder until just incorporated. Avoid overworking the meat to maintain texture.
02 - Preheat a flat griddle or heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and spread evenly across the cooking surface.
03 - Place sliced onion on one side of the griddle. Cook with occasional stirring until golden and softened, approximately 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate and reserve.
04 - Divide beef mixture into 8 equal portions and shape each into a loose ball.
05 - Position 4 beef balls onto the hot griddle with even spacing. Immediately press each with a heavy spatula or burger press to create thin patties approximately 4 inches in diameter.
06 - Cook patties without moving until edges develop deep browning and juices begin rising, about 2 minutes. Season the tops with a pinch of salt and pepper.
07 - Flip patties and immediately top each with 1 slice sharp cheddar and 1 slice American cheese. Cook until cheese melts and edges crisp, approximately 1 minute. Transfer to a plate.
08 - Wipe the griddle clean. Lower heat to medium. Brush both sides of each tortilla lightly with melted butter.
09 - Position one tortilla on the griddle. Layer 2 cheesy patties side by side, sprinkle cooked onions over patties, and drizzle with combined sauce. Top with second tortilla.
10 - Cook until the bottom tortilla achieves golden crisp texture, about 2 minutes, applying gentle pressure with a spatula. Flip and cook the opposite side until golden, approximately 2 minutes.
11 - Transfer quesadilla to a cutting board and rest for 1 minute. Cut into wedges using a sharp knife or pizza cutter.
12 - Repeat assembly and cooking process with remaining ingredients to create 2 large quesadillas total. Serve immediately with optional pickles, cilantro, salsa, or sour cream.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Two beloved comfort foods meet in one crispy, melty, utterly satisfying bite that feels like a brilliant kitchen hack.
  • The smash technique gives you restaurant-quality seared patties with lacy, caramelized edges right on your home griddle.
  • Everything cooks on one surface, so cleanup is fast and you're not juggling multiple pans.
  • It's impressive enough for guests but simple enough for a weeknight when you want something that actually tastes exciting.
02 -
  • Don't move the patties once you smash them; the crust forms only if you leave them undisturbed, and lifting them early will tear the sear.
  • If your griddle isn't large enough, work in batches and keep finished patties warm on a plate tented with foil.
  • The tortillas can burn fast on high heat, so dropping to medium after the patties are done is essential for crispy, not charred, quesadillas.
03 -
  • Use a sturdy spatula or burger press with real weight; flimsy tools won't give you the contact pressure you need for a proper smash.
  • Brush the tortillas with butter instead of oil; the milk solids in butter brown beautifully and add a richer, more complex flavor.
  • If you want extra heat, swap the sharp cheddar for pepper jack or tuck a few sliced jalapenos between the patties and the onions.
Go Back