Spice Up Your Burgers This Summer And Give Them A Quesadilla Twist

Whether you're looking for something new and exciting to serve at your Fourth of July gathering, or simply need an easy and delicious idea for dinner, loaded cheeseburger quesadillas could be the answer you're looking for. A playful and tasty fusion of two of America's favorite fast food treats, burger-style quesadillas (or quesadilla-style burgers, either works) stuff a tender, lightly crisped tortilla with juicy, well-seasoned ground beef and a blend of your preferred quesadilla and burger toppings from cheese to pickles.

Not only is this twist on a pair of classic comfort foods super satisfying, it can also save you time and energy when putting dinner together. For instance, there's no need to form the ground beef into patties unless you want to. Instead, it's perfectly okay to brown your meat in a pan with some taco seasoning and avocado oil before loading it into tortillas, adding toppings, and cooking it a little longer for a crispy, melty finish. 

Cheeseburger quesadillas can also be a fun build-your-own style meal to feed a crowd, especially since the meat is precooked all at once. When it's ready, everyone can add their choice of cheese and other toppings before each quesadilla is griddled to melt the cheese and marry all the flavors. Those ingredients might include both dill pickles and pickled jalapeños, American cheese and zesty pepperjack, and tomatoes and onions alongside salsa. Just be sure your griddle is nice and hot to prevent your quesadillas from becoming soggy, as an immediate kiss of heat is necessary for crisping the tortilla.

Other than taking that first delicious bite, the best part of making cheeseburger quesadillas is discovering your new favorite flavor combinations. Sure, you can opt for old-school toppings with ketchup and mustard or shredded cheese and salsa, but there are lots of unique condiments that belong on your burgers, many of which work beautifully on quesadillas as well. Think tangy barbecue sauce with a drizzle of spicy, lightly floral tomatillo salsa or chipotle mayo and pickle relish offset by the richness of Swiss cheese.

You might also take inspiration from your favorite fast food chains. Consider stacking your burger quesadilla high with shredded lettuce, tomato slices, melty American cheese, pickles, a drizzle of McDonald's Big Mac sauce (which you can recreate at home) or thousand island dressing, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds to create a Big Mac quesadilla. If you're a Taco Bell stan, try topping your burger meat with crushed Doritos, Taco Bell brand original hot sauce (sold in lots of grocery stores), nacho cheese, and pico de gallo to replicate some of the chain's classic flavors.

Of course, quesadillas are fun to eat because you get to dip them in a variety of delicious sauces, including sour cream, guacamole, and salsa. With a burger quesadilla, you can take things a step further and make your own Dijonnaise with mayo and Dijon mustard, or mix sweet and tangy barbecue sauce into your sour cream for dips that fit the fusion food theme.