If you’ve ever had Applebee’s Quesadilla Burger, you know how delicious it is—but once we looked up the calorie count, we never ordered it again! I was determined to create a healthier version without sacrificing flavor, I transformed the ever-popular smash burger into a quesadilla burger. The result? A crispy, cheesy, flavor-packed burger that satisfies all the cravings without the guilt. Best of all, it’s incredibly simple to make! Honestly, just making it at home, takes away unnecessary fat and sodium.
My husband and I used to order the quesadilla burger regularly on our Applebee’s nights out. Yes, we used to go to Applebee's all the time. It was our kids' favorite. The Quesadilla burger was one of our favorites until we realized just how many calories we were consuming. Since I focus on high-protein meals while cutting unnecessary calories, I knew I had to recreate this Applebee's copycat burger at home in a more balanced way. Once smash burgers became all the rage, I knew exactly how to reimagine this dish—pressing seasoned ground beef directly onto a tortilla for the ultimate crisp!
Are you looking for other Copycat recipes to get you inspired? Check out these Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets. I also have a super simple air fryer yellow potato recipe (Still to come!).
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Ingredients for Quesadilla Cheeseburgers
This recipe is all about maximizing flavor while keeping things simple. You’ll need a few key ingredients to bring it all together:
- Tortillas (large or small)
- Ground beef
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Egg
- Garlic powder
- Montreal steak seasoning
- Cheese slices (American or provolone are great choices!)
- Pico de gallo (homemade or store-bought)
- Shredded Lettuce
- Butter (for frying)
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions for Smash Quesadilla Burger Recipe
This method is foolproof and incredibly easy. Whether you choose large tortillas for a fold-over burger or small tortillas for a stacked version, you’ll get crispy, cheesy, burger perfection every time.
- Step 1: Prepare the beef: Mix ground beef with panko, egg, garlic powder, and Montreal steak seasoning.
- Step 2: Smash the beef onto tortillas: Spread the raw ground beef onto one side of large tortillas (or fully onto small tortillas).
- Step 3: Cook to perfection: Brown butter in a pan, place the beef side down first, cook until crispy, then flip.
- Step 4: Assemble and enjoy: Add cheese, pico de gallo, lettuce, and fold (for large tortillas) or top with a second tortilla (for small). Flip and cook until golden and crispy.
Hint: Using large tortillas folded in half makes this recipe less messy to eat compared to using two small tortillas. I seem to only have small tortillas in the house so they still work, you just have to handle them with a little care.
Substitutions for Beef Quesadilla Burger Recipe
I totally understand that we may need to modify the recipe to account for dietary needs. Below are a few possible suggestions. However, this recipe would be a little tricky to make vegan.
- Ground Beef: Swap for turkey or chicken.
- Cheese: Pepper jack, cheddar, or gouda work well.
- Seasoning: Taco seasoning or smoked paprika for extra depth.
- Pico de Gallo: Use salsa or chopped tomatoes instead.
Variations for Cheese Quesadilla Burger
Feel free to give your own spin on the recipe. I would love to see how you modified it! Here are a few possibilities.
- Spicy Kick: Add jalapeños or a drizzle of hot sauce.
- Extra Protein: Use lean turkey instead of beef.
- Low Carb: Use low-carb tortillas or wrap the burger in lettuce.
- Southwest Style: Add black beans or avocado slices.
Equipment
These are the kitchen utensils/equipment I use:
- Large skillet or griddle
- Spatula
- Mixing bowl
- Butter knife
Storage
Store leftover burgers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or air fryer to maintain crispiness. Freezing not recommended due to tortilla texture changes.
Top Tip
Pressing the beef onto the tortilla before cooking ensures even cooking and prevents it from falling apart!
FAQ
Yes! Prep the burgers, store them in the fridge, and cook when ready. You can bake or air fry them to warm them up. They are delicious as leftovers too!!
American melts perfectly, but provolone or cheddar work great too.
Yes! Air fry at 375°F for about 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway.
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Do you need side options?
These are my favorite dishes to serve with the Quesadilla Burger:
Quesadilla Burger
Equipment
- Large skillet or griddle
- Spatula
- mixing bowl
- Butter knife
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs ground beef
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1½ teaspoons Montreal steak seasoning
- 7 tortilla bread
- 14 slices American or provolone cheese
- 1 cup pico de gallo homemade or store-bought
- shredded lettuce
- 2 tablespoons butter for frying
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, and Montreal steak seasoning until just combined. Don’t overmix. Divide into 7 equal portions and shape into wide, thin burger patties. If using the small tortilla bread, spread the bread mixture over the entire tortilla bread. If using a large tortilla bread, put the meat mixture on half the tortilla bread.
- Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium heat. Melt a bit of butter. Place one tortilla in the pan, ground beef side down. Flip after 3-4 minutes.
- Add a slice of cheese, a scoop of pico de gallo, lettuce and top with another slice of cheese. Place a second tortilla on top and press gently. Or if using the large tortilla bread fold in half to cover. Cook for 2–3 minutes more, until golden and crispy on both sides and the cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
- Slice each quesadilla burger into halves or quarters. Serve with extra pico de gallo, sour cream, or guacamole if desired.
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