This cheeseburger quesadilla puts familiar burger flavors inside a folded flour tortilla: Original Dust beef, softened onion, cheddar and a little dill pickle. Cook the beef fully before assembly and blot the pickles so the filling stays juicy without making the tortilla soggy. The recipe makes four large folded quesadillas.
Cook the beef and onion. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the beef and onion, breaking the beef into small crumbles. Cook for 8–10 minutes until the onion softens and the beef reaches 160°F (71°C). Spoon off excess fat, leaving the cooked filling in the pan.
Season and reduce. Stir in Original Dust and the water. Cook on medium-low for 1–2 minutes, stirring, until the seasoning coats the beef and no loose liquid remains. Transfer to a clean bowl. Pat the sliced pickles dry; wipe the skillet clean before toasting.
Layer and fold. Divide cheese into eight equal portions. Cover half of each tortilla with one cheese portion, one-quarter of the beef and one-quarter of the pickles, then another cheese portion. Leave a narrow border. Fold the empty half over and press gently.
Toast four batches. Set the skillet over medium-low heat and add 1/2 teaspoon oil per quesadilla. Cook one folded tortilla at a time for 2–3 minutes per side, turning carefully, until the cheese melts and the surface is golden. Reduce the heat if the tortilla darkens before the center melts.
Settle and slice. Let each quesadilla rest for 2 minutes before cutting into wedges. Serve as the batches finish, or keep briefly on a rack in a 200°F (95°C) oven. Avoid stacking the hot wedges, which traps steam and softens the toasted surface.
Yield: 4 servings; 4 large folded quesadillas. Cooking timing: 30–40 mins + 2 mins rest.
The Dust In This Recipe
The Original Desert Dust
$12.99
Make it with The Original Desert Dust All-Purpose Seasoning. Start with the amount listed, then taste before adding more.
✦The Date Is the DifferenceOrganic Coachella Valley dates bring sweetness, body and depth.
✦Smoky & EarthyA balanced all-purpose blend made for everyday cooking.
SHOULD I COOK THE BEEF BEFORE FILLING THE QUESADILLA?
Yes. Brown and crumble the beef with the onion, then confirm 160°F (71°C) with a food thermometer before assembling. The short tortilla-toasting stage is intended to melt cheese and crisp the outside; it does not reliably cook a layer of raw ground beef.
HOW DO I KEEP THE FILLING FROM GETTING GREASY?
Use 90% lean ground beef and spoon away released fat after cooking. Once the Dust and measured water are added, let any loose liquid evaporate before filling the tortillas. Add a thin layer of filling rather than piling it up, and avoid pouring pan juices into the folds.
DO THE PICKLES GO INSIDE OR ON THE SIDE?
The measured dill pickles go inside for a burger-like tang. Slice them thinly, drain well and pat dry first. Extra pickles can be served alongside if desired. Wet relish is a different texture and can make the tortilla soggy, so it is not a direct spoon-for-spoon replacement here.
WHICH CHEESE AND TORTILLAS WORK BEST?
Pliable 10-inch flour tortillas fold around this amount of filling. Mild or medium cheddar gives a familiar cheeseburger flavor; freshly grated cheese usually melts readily. Divide it above and below the beef to help the fold hold together. Smaller tortillas need less filling and more batches.
CAN I ADD BURGER SAUCE, LETTUCE OR TOMATO?
Serve sauce, shredded lettuce or sliced tomato alongside the finished quesadilla if you like. Keep those cold, wet additions out of the filling during toasting so the cheese can bind the beef and the tortilla stays crisp. They are optional extras and are not included in the ingredient quantities.
HOW DO I STORE AND REHEAT LEFTOVERS?
Refrigerate within 2 hours, or within 1 hour above 90°F (32°C), in a shallow covered container at 40°F (4°C) or below. Use within 3–4 days. Reheat gently in a covered skillet or the oven until the beef filling reaches 165°F (74°C), then uncover briefly to crisp the surface. If using previously cooked beef, count storage time from its original cooking day.
WHAT ALLERGENS SHOULD I CHECK?
The flour tortillas contain wheat, cheddar contains milk and Original Dust contains mustard. Pickle brands and tortillas may have additional allergens or cross-contact statements, so check each package. Any sauce served alongside has its own ingredients and allergens.
