Copycat Applebees Quesadilla Burger

If you have never tried the amazing Applebees Quesadilla Burger, you are in for something extraordinary. Part burger, part quesadilla, all 100% delicious. Make this fantastic cheeseburger recipe in under 30 minutes! These copycat Applebee’s quesadilla burgers taste so close to the real thing that you will make them on repeat. 

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What Makes the Applebee’s Quesadilla Burgers So Good?

The Applebees Quesadilla Burger has to be one of the best hamburgers you can get in a restaurant. These cheesy, juicy burgers are designed for those who love Mexican food and hamburgers. Why have an ordinary hamburger when you can have a quesadilla as your bun?

Why should you try this copycat recipe? 

Everyone has copycat recipes, but this recipe is extra special because it is the perfect restaurant copycat. We give you the recipe to make the ideal handcrafted burgers in your own kitchen. We include the exact seasonings and the sauce you need for this recipe, and we walk you through how to put this recipe together. 

What’s on this Quesadilla burger?

This burger is made with well-seasoned ground chuck beef patties. The meat is topped with slices of Pepper Jack cheese, a delicious Mexi-ranch sauce, crispy Applewood smoked bacon, fresh pico de gallo, crispy fresh lettuce, and this burger is surrounded by warm Cheddar cheese quesadillas.

What’s the secret to this burger?

The secret to this burger is simple ingredients prepared in a unique way. Everyone has made a basic cheeseburger, here we upgrade the cheese, add bacon, and change out the condiments slightly. The real upgrade is the Cheddar cheese quesadilla. In no time at all you and your family can enjoy one amazing burger.

Quesadilla Burger Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this copycat Applebee’s quesadilla burger recipe:

For the Mexi-Ranch Sauce:

• Sour cream
• Prepared ranch dressing
• Salsa
• Taco seasoning

For the quesadillas:

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Small flour tortillas (street taco size)

For the burger patties:

• Ground beef
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

For the burger toppings:

• Sliced pepper jack cheese
• Cooked applewood bacon
• Pico de Gallo
• Shredded iceberg lettuce

What type of ground beef should you use?

Ground chuck has just the right amount of marbling to make the burger juicy and not dry. The ground cut is beef that is 80% lean, and 20% fat. Ground beef like sirloin is a bit too dry to carry this burger off. Plain ground hamburger meat can have as much as 30% fat, and that’s too rich for all of the cheese involved in this burger.

How to Make Quesadilla Burgers

1. Make the Mexi-ranch sauce by combining sour cream, ranch dressing, salsa, and taco seasoning in a small bowl.
2. Preheat the oven to 200°F.
3. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over 8 tortillas. Place the 8 remaining tortillas on top.
4. Cook the quesadillas in a non-stick large frying pan over medium-high heat for about two minutes on each side until they are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
5. Remove the quesadillas from the skillet and keep them warm in the oven while you cook the burgers. Wipe out the skillet with paper towels.
6. Use your hands to combine the ground chuck, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Divide the beef into 4 equal portions and form them into patties.
7. Cook the burgers over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until your desired doneness is reached.
8. Place each burger patty on top of a quesadilla. Top each patty with pepper jack cheese, cooked bacon, Pico de Gallo, shredded lettuce, and Mexi-ranch sauce.

9. Cover the burger with another quesadilla.
10. Serve immediately.

How do you store the leftovers? 

I know you will want to store this fantastic burger if you have one left over. Here are some tips to enjoy those leftovers later. If you are going to consume all of the burgers in one meal, I suggest you store all of the burger’s components in separate containers. 

1. Allow to Cool: Let the quesadilla burger cool down for about 30 minutes at room temperature. This helps prevent condensation inside the storage container, which can make the burger soggy.
2. Store in airtight containers: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. 

What is the best way to reheat quesadilla burgers? 

Reheating a quesadilla burger properly is key to maintaining its flavor and texture. Here’s the best way to reheat a quesadilla burger:

1. Preheat Oven or Toaster Oven: Preheat your oven or toaster oven to around 350°F (175°C). This method is preferred over a microwave because it helps maintain the burger’s crispiness.
2. Prepare a Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper to make cleanup easier.
3. Reheat Slowly: Place the quesadilla burger on the prepared baking sheet.

Ideas for What Serve with This Burger

Try these great tasting appetizers and sides:

• Best Mexican Refried Beans Recipe
• Blooming Onion
• Chilis Skillet Queso Recipe
• Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa Recipe
• How to Do Jalapeno Poppers
• Copycat Chipotle Lime Rice
• Panera Salad (Green Goddess)
• Pea Bacon Salad
• Southwestern Egg Roll Recipe
• Spinach Artichoke Dip
• Sweetie Pies Mac and Cheese Recipe

Love Applebees? Don’t stop with this burger, there is more!

Who doesn’t love the Applebees restaurant? Enjoy their French Onion Soup, Oriental Chicken Salad, and finish with one of their famous Triple Chocolate Meltdown desserts.

More Burger and Quesadilla Recipes

• Air Fryer Burgers
• Breakfast Burger
• Butter Burger
• Chicken Quesadilla
• Garlic Burger
• Hamburger Steak with Onion Gravy
• Krystal Burgers
• McDonald’s Burger
• Pizza Burgers
• Smoky BLT Quarter Pounder with Cheese
• White Castle Hamburgers

Check out more of my tasty Mexican food recipes and copycat restaurant dishes.