Copycat Applebee’s Quesadilla Burger

If you’ve ever tried a quesadilla burger from Applebee’s, you’ll know it’s worth replicating at home. This mouthwatering fusion of flavors combines the best of both worlds: cheesy, Tex-Mex-flavored quesadillas and juicy, seasoned burgers cooked on the stove. Our copycat Applebee’s quesadilla burger recipe aims to copy the flavors of Applebee’s hearty meal, expertly taking the classic burger experience to the next level.

To make our version, you’ll combine hamburger meat with pepper jack and cheddar cheeses, savory bacon, chipotle ranch dressing and a nice dose of spice from pico de gallo. It’s a simple dish that looks fancier than a typical burger. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or looking for a fun weeknight dinner, the ease of this meal and its sheer flavor will impress your friends and family alike.

Copycat Applebee’s Quesadilla Burger Ingredients

• Beef: You’ll use ground beef to form the burger patties. The best ground beef for burgers depends on your preferences, so feel free to use lean ground beef or a more flavorful blend like 80/20 ground beef.
• Salt and pepper: Salt seasons the burger meat and helps it retain moisture while it’s cooking. Meanwhile, freshly ground pepper adds an earthy hint of spice to the meat.
• Canola oil: You can use olive oil if you prefer, but canola is a nice option because it’s a neutral oil. It won’t add flavor that competes with the burger’s natural beefiness.
• Cheese: A spicy kick of pepper jack cheese is a must when copying this quesadilla burger.
• Flour tortillas: Mini flour tortillas are best for this recipe.
• Cheddar cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese contributes to the melty goodness of the quesadilla.
• Bacon: Applewood-smoked bacon would add a rich boost in flavor, but feel free to choose any type of bacon you prefer. Cook the bacon ahead of time so it’s ready to add to the burgers.
• Lettuce: You’ll add the lettuce leaves toward the end so that they remain perfectly crisp and crunchy.
• Chipotle ranch salad dressing: Ranch dressing typically mellows out spicy flavors, but adding chipotle peppers gives this quesadilla burger an extra kick.
• Pico de gallo: If you’re looking for another copycat recipe, copycat Chipotle pico de gallo is an excellent addition to this quesadilla burger.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the burger patties

Shape the ground beef into four 5-inch-wide patties. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the burgers and cook until a thermometer reads 160°F, four to six minutes on each side. Remove from the heat and top with pepper jack cheese. Cover and let stand for five minutes.

Editor’s Tip: For extra flavor, cook the beef patties in the pan used to cook the bacon. You can use the bacon grease in place of canola oil.

Step 2: Prepare the tortillas

Meanwhile, place the tortillas on a griddle. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of cheddar cheese on each tortilla. Cook over low heat until the cheese is melted, one to two minutes. Remove the tortillas from the heat.

Step 3: Assemble the quesadilla burgers

Top half of the tortillas with the burgers, bacon, lettuce, ranch dressing and pico de gallo. Top with the remaining tortillas, cheese side down.

Recipe Variations

• Use another type of salsa: If you’d prefer a milder variation, skip the pico de gallo and use another salsa, like this sweet-spicy mango and pineapple salsa.
• Bring on the toppings: You can add an array of burger toppings to quesadilla burgers. Try sour cream, refried beans, Spanish rice or fresh corn salad.
• Change the meat: You can make the burger patties with ground chicken or turkey. You can also turn this recipe into a vegetarian burger using a plant-based meat blend or making homemade veggie burger recipes using mushrooms, black beans, grains, nuts and seeds.

How to Store Copycat Applebee’s Quesadilla Burger

Quesadilla burgers will have the best texture when served immediately. If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Plan on enjoying them within four days.

How do you reheat a quesadilla burger?

We recommend reheating quesadilla burgers in a cast iron pan on the stovetop to restore their crispy, cheesy texture. Preheat the pan with a little oil or butter over medium-low heat. Add the leftover quesadilla burgers and cover the pan to trap the heat inside. Reheat the burgers, flipping as needed, until they reach an internal temperature of 165°.

Copycat Applebee’s Quesadilla Burger Tips

What kind of ground beef should you use to make quesadilla burgers?

We recommend using an 80/20 ground beef blend to make the best hamburger. This ratio contains a good mix of lean meat and fat, which translates to a juicy burger that tastes fantastic. You can switch it up and choose whatever type of beef you’d like, but leaner meat blends may turn out dry (especially when overcooked).

How can you make copycat Applebee’s quesadilla burgers your own?

Aside from the variations above, you can get creative in several ways to make this recipe your own. For example, try making homemade ranch dressing and mixing it with homemade taco seasoning for added flavor. Homemade pico de gallo is also a delightful way to add a burst of fresh flavor, especially if you make it with garden-fresh tomatoes.

What can you serve with copycat Applebee’s quesadilla burgers?

Applebee’s burger quesadilla recipe has a fair amount of spice, so we like to serve it with guacamole to cool things off. Whipping up some cheese sauce for a little extra cheesy goodness is always a hit, too.