Guys, I’m obsessed with this burger quesadilla recipe! Made it for the fam last weekend and they went crazy for it. Seriously the best combo ever – juicy burger + melty cheese + crispy tortilla = mind blown. Been making quesadillas forever but never thought to add burger flavors til now. Total game changer for busy nights when u want something fast but still amazing.
The way the cheese gets all gooey and the burger stays juicy inside the crispy tortilla shell is just chef’s kiss. Perfect for dinner, lunch, or even cut into triangles for a party app. Plus u can customize with whatever toppings ur family loves!
Why You’ll Love This Burger Quesadilla Recipe
Tired of the same old dinners? This burger quesadilla recipe saves the day when u need something quick but still wanna impress. My teenager who usually complains about everything I make actually asked for seconds!
The best part is how flexible this recipe is. Got picky eaters? Let them build their own with a toppings bar. Need to use up leftover burger meat? This recipe works perfectly. Plus cleanup is minimal – just one pan for the whole thing.
I’ve been making these on busy weeknights when we’re all running in different directions but still wanna eat together. Way faster than traditional burgers but with all those flavors we crave.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Burger Mixture:
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 works best for flavor but can use leaner if preferred)
- 1 small onion, diced small (yellow or white both work)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder in a pinch)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (adds that classic burger taste)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
The ground beef is the star here – don’t go too lean or you’ll miss out on flavor. If u don’t eat beef, ground turkey works too (check out my Spinach Feta Turkey Burgers for another twist).
For Assembly:
- 4 large flour tortillas (burrito size works best)
- 2 cups shredded cheese (I use cheddar but pepper jack adds nice kick)
- 1/4 cup burger sauce (recipe below)
- Optional toppings: diced tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, bacon bits
Use the big tortillas if u can find them – they’re easier to flip. And def grate ur own cheese if u have time – melts way better than the pre-shredded stuff with all those anti-caking agents.
For the Burger Sauce:
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard (yellow or dijon)
- 1 tbsp pickle relish
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
This sauce is what makes these taste like real burgers! U can adjust based on what u have – more ketchup if u like sweeter sauce, more mustard if u want tangier.
How to Make Burger Quesadillas
Step 1: Prepare the Burger Filling
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add oil
- Add diced onion and cook til slightly soft, about 2 mins
- Toss in garlic and cook 30 seconds til fragrant
- Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper
- Cook til beef is no longer pink, about 5-7 mins
- Drain excess grease if there’s a lot
- Stir in Worcestershire sauce
- Remove mixture from pan and set aside
The meat should be fully cooked but not dried out. Keep breaking it into small pieces while cooking – big chunks make the quesadilla harder to flip.
Step 2: Make the Burger Sauce
- Mix all sauce ingredients in small bowl
- Taste and adjust seasonings if needed
- Set aside
Can make this ahead and store in fridge up to a week!
Step 3: Assemble and Cook Quesadillas
- Wipe skillet clean and return to medium heat
- Place tortilla in pan
- Spread thin layer of burger sauce on half the tortilla
- Sprinkle 1/4 cup cheese on same half
- Add 1/4 of the burger mixture on top of cheese
- Add any optional toppings
- Top with another 1/4 cup cheese
- Fold tortilla in half to cover fillings
- Cook 2-3 mins til golden brown
- Flip carefully and cook another 2 mins
- Remove to cutting board
- Repeat with remaining ingredients
- Cut each quesadilla into 2-3 triangles
The key is not overstuffing! Better to make more quesadillas than have them falling apart when u try to flip.
Pro tip: press down gently with spatula while cooking to help seal everything together.
Variation Ideas for Burger Quesadillas
Breakfast Burger Quesadilla
Add scrambled egg and bacon to the beef mixture. Great for using up leftover burger meat from dinner the night before!
Mushroom Swiss Burger Quesadilla
Sauté sliced mushrooms with the beef and use Swiss cheese instead of cheddar. Add a bit of steak sauce to the mix for extra umami.
BBQ Bacon Burger Quesadilla
Mix some BBQ sauce into the burger mixture, use pepper jack cheese, and add crumbled bacon. So good with some grilled onions too!
Mediterranean Burger Quesadilla
Mix feta cheese into the burger mixture with some oregano and use mozzarella for melting. Add diced cucumbers and tzatziki sauce after cooking.
Pizza Burger Quesadilla
Add pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and a spoonful of pizza sauce to the burger mixture. Tastes like a pizza burger!
When I’m in a hurry but still want something keto-friendly, I adapt this recipe using large lettuce leaves instead of tortillas – sorta like my Burger Bowl Recipe but in handheld form.
Burger Quesadilla Recipe
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Spatula
- Mixing bowls
- Cutting board
- Knife
Ingredients
For the Burger Mixture:
- 1 lb ground beef 80/20 preferred
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
For Assembly:
- 4 large flour tortillas burrito size
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup burger sauce see below
- Optional: diced tomatoes lettuce, pickles, bacon bits
For the Burger Sauce:
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 1 tbsp pickle relish
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
Make the Burger Filling:
- Heat skillet over medium-high heat, add oil.
- Sauté diced onion for 2 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef, break it up with a spoon.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook 5-7 minutes until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in Worcestershire sauce and set mixture aside.
Make the Burger Sauce:
- In a small bowl, mix mayo, ketchup, mustard, relish, and garlic powder.
- Adjust seasonings to taste. Set aside.
- Assemble & Cook Quesadillas:
- Wipe skillet clean and heat on medium.
- Place tortilla in pan.
- Spread burger sauce on half, then top with cheese, burger mixture, and any toppings.
- Add more cheese on top and fold tortilla.
- Cook 2-3 minutes until golden. Flip and cook another 2 minutes.
- Remove, cut into wedges, and repeat.
Notes
Nutrition
FAQs About Burger Quesadilla Recipe
What goes on a quesadilla burger?
Classic burger quesadillas usually have ground beef, cheese, onions and a special sauce. But u can customize with pickle slices, bacon, lettuce, tomato, or anything u normally put on burgers! I sometimes add jalapeños for heat or avocado for creaminess. The beauty of this burger quesadilla recipe is u can make it exactly how u like ur burgers.
What sauce does Applebee’s use on their quesadilla burger?
Applebee’s quesadilla burger uses a sauce similar to Thousand Island dressing. My homemade version uses mayo, ketchup, mustard, relish and garlic powder. It’s super close to the restaurant version but fresher! U can add a dash of hot sauce if u want a kick like they sometimes have. Been making this for years and honestly think mine’s better!
What can I put inside a quesadilla?
Literally anything works in quesadillas! For this burger quesadilla recipe, I use ground beef, cheese, onions and sauce. But u can add:
- Any protein: chicken, steak, fish (my Keto Salmon Burgers flavors would work great)
- Veggies: bell peppers, spinach, corn, beans
- Different cheeses: pepper jack, monterey jack, colby
- Sauces: salsa, guac, sour cream
Just don’t overstuff or they’ll fall apart when flipping.
What is the secret to a quesadilla?
The real secret to perfect quesadillas is getting the heat right! Too hot and the tortilla burns before cheese melts, too low and everything gets soggy. Medium heat is the sweet spot. Also, don’t skimp on cheese – it’s what holds everything together! And def don’t overfill – that’s the biggest mistake ppl make with this burger quesadilla recipe. Better to make extra quesadillas than have them falling apart.
What is the TikTok quesadilla hack?
The TikTok quesadilla hack is where u cut a slit from center to edge of tortilla, put different ingredients in each quarter, then fold it up like a triangle. Works great for this burger quesadilla recipe! Put sauce in one section, beef in another, cheese in third, and toppings in fourth. Then fold into a triangle and cook. Makes it easier to get every flavor in each bite! Been doing this lately and saves on cleanup too.
Final Thoughts on Burger Quesadillas
Made these burger quesadillas for my brother when he visited last month. He’s super picky but demolished three of them and asked for the recipe! That’s when I knew I had to share it here.
What I love most is how these bring together the comfort of a good burger with the ease of quesadillas. No need to form patties, no buns to buy – just simple ingredients u probably already have.
Give these a try next time ur craving burgers but don’t want the hassle. Let me know what variations u come up with! Been making these weekly and still finding new ways to switch them up.
Remember to check out my other burger recipes like Spinach Feta Turkey Burgers or Burger Bowl Recipe if ur looking for more ideas!
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