Quesadilla Burger – Easy Casual dining Copycat

This Applebee’s Quesadilla Burger copycat is basically what happens when a cheeseburger and a quesadilla decide to team up. It’s cheesy, saucy, and surprisingly simple to throw together. Perfect if you’re craving something hearty but still kinda chill — like a Saturday-night-in kinda meal that feels like going out.

Jump to Recipe

Quick Summary

• Prep time: 20 mins
• Cook time: 15 mins
• Flavor: cheesy, smoky, a little tangy
• Great for: casual dinners, picky eaters, post-game recharging

Why I Like This Recipe

Honestly? This was one of those “I don’t know what I want, but I want something” nights. You know the vibe — too tired to cook, too broke to order. Then I remembered that quesadilla burger from Applebee’s and thought… yeah, I could probably fake it. Turns out? It slaps. Like, really slaps. Super filling, cheesy in all the right ways, and way easier than I expected.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs ground beef (I used 96% lean — but you do you)
• 12 small flour tortillas (street taco size is clutch)
• 12 slices cheddar cheese
• 1 ½ cups Pico de Gallo
• 1 ½ cups shredded lettuce
• ½ cup mayo
• ½ cup ketchup

How To Make Quesadilla Burger

1. Form the patties: Grab that ground beef and shape it into 6 patties. Go thin and a little wide — about 4-5 inches across. You want it to kinda fit the tortillas.
2. Grill ‘em up: Preheat your grill (or a grill pan) to 400°F. Cook the burgers till they hit at least 165°F inside. Don’t press them — let them vibe.
3. Toast the tortillas: While the burgers are doing their thing, toast the tortillas in a dry pan over medium-low heat. A couple minutes each side till they’re warm, toasty, but still soft inside. Not crispy — that’s not the goal.
4. Make the sauce: Mix mayo + ketchup + ¾ cup of that pico. It should look messy and taste tangy and kinda fresh. You’ll know it’s right.
5. Assemble: Lay a tortilla down, add a slice of cheese, then a burger, another slice of cheese, a spoonful of the sauce, more pico, lettuce… then top with another tortilla. Boom. Done.
6. Serve: Cut it in half if you want it cute. Or just go in like I did. No judgment.

Tips for Success

• Thinner patties = better tortilla fit
• Don’t skip the sauce — it makes the whole thing
• Toast the tortillas, but don’t crisp ‘em
• Shred the lettuce small — trust me on this
• This is messy food. Embrace it. Maybe grab a napkin or five.

Storage and Reheating

• Fridge: Wrap any leftovers in foil. They’ll keep for 2–3 days. Tortillas might soften, but they still taste solid reheated.
• Microwave: Not ideal, but it’ll work. 45 seconds for one half should do it.
• Stovetop or Air Fryer: Heat a skillet and warm each side, or toss it in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes to bring back that toast.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use bigger tortillas?
  You can, but the ratios get weird. Stick to the small ones if you can. Or just make a mega quesadilla burger, up to you.
• Is there a low-fat version?
  Use lean beef, light mayo, and reduced-fat cheese if you want to trim it down. Still tastes good.
• Can I meal prep these?
  Sorta. You can prep the patties and sauce ahead, but don’t assemble till you’re ready to eat. Tortillas get weird if they sit too long with sauce.
• What can I use instead of pico?
  Salsa works, or even chopped tomatoes with a bit of lime and onion.
• Is this freezer-friendly?
  Not really. Tortillas and fresh stuff don’t freeze great. Eat it fresh or within a day or two.

---

Common Mistakes and How to Dodge Them

• Making thick patties: They won’t fit the tortillas right and you’ll end up with a quesadilla taco situation. Keep ‘em thin and wide-ish.
• Skipping the cheese layer on both sides: This is a quesadilla burger. Cheese goes under and over. Don’t be shy.
• Soggy tortillas: Don’t skip the toasting step. Cold tortillas + hot burgers = sad and floppy.
• Overloading with sauce: I get it, the sauce is good. But too much and it turns into slip ‘n’ slide central.
• Serving too late: This one’s best eaten fresh, while everything’s warm and the cheese is melty. Reheated works, but it hits different fresh off the pan.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 759 kcal
• Total Fat: 44g
• Saturated Fat: 16g
• Cholesterol: 142mg
• Sodium: 1421mg
• Potassium: 673mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 44g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 13g
• Protein: 44g