Quesadilla Burger {Applebee’s Copycat} Recipe
This Quesadilla Burger is a delicious Applebee’s copycat recipe featuring juicy grilled beef patties layered between toasted flour tortillas with melted cheddar cheese, fresh pico de gallo, shredded lettuce, and a tangy homemade sauce made from ketchup and mayonnaise. Easy to prepare and perfect for a flavorful twist on a classic burger.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 quesadilla burgers 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Patties
- 2 pounds ground beef (96% lean)
- Cooking spray (for toasting tortillas)
Tortillas & Cheese
- 12 street taco-size flour tortillas
- 12 slices cheddar cheese
Toppings
- 1 1/2 cups Pico de Gallo
- 1 1/2 cups shredded lettuce
Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup ketchup
Instructions
- Form Patties: Shape the 2 pounds of ground beef into 6 thinner hamburger patties with a diameter of about 4-5 inches to fit the tortillas better.
- Grill the Burgers: Preheat your grill to 400º Fahrenheit. Grill the patties until they reach an internal temperature of at least 165º Fahrenheit, ensuring they are fully cooked and juicy.
- Toast Tortillas: While the burgers are grilling, spray a frying pan with cooking spray and set the stove to medium-low heat. Lightly toast each flour tortilla for about 2-3 minutes per side until they are golden brown but still slightly chewy inside.
- Assemble Base Layers: Place one slice of cheddar cheese on a toasted tortilla, then put the grilled burger on top, followed by another slice of cheese over the burger to encourage melting.
- Prepare the Sauce: Mix the ketchup and mayonnaise together in a small bowl. Stir in 3/4 cup of the Pico de Gallo to infuse fresh flavor into the sauce.
- Add Toppings and Sauce: Spread a generous amount of the sauce mixture over each burger. Then add another spoonful of Pico de Gallo and a layer of shredded lettuce for freshness and crunch.
- Top It Off: Cover the stacked ingredients with another toasted flour tortilla to create the quesadilla-style burger.
- Serve: Serve immediately while warm and enjoy this flavorful, handheld quesadilla burger.
Notes
- Make sure the grill is fully preheated before cooking patties to ensure even cooking.
- Use medium-low heat when toasting tortillas to avoid burning and maintain softness inside.
- Customize toppings by adding sliced avocado or pickles for extra flavor.
- For a spicier kick, add jalapeños to the pico de gallo or sauce.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce grease and maintain a healthier burger.
Keywords: Applebee's copycat, quesadilla burger, grilled burger, toasted tortillas, cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, easy burger recipe
