Strug-fest 2015. That’s what this post should actually be named.
I went back and forth for days (5 days to be exact) on whether or not to post this recipe. Here was my dilemma:
This burgerdilla (named for its hybrid between a burger and a quesadilla) is seriously delicious. I mean…really, really, really delicious. It is packed with so much flavor and topped with the most delicious guacamole ever.
So what has been my debate?
First of all, I was not happy with the pictures at all. If you think a sandwich or bowl of soup is hard to photograph, try a quesadilla. It’s literally just tortilla in the picture. Tortilla, tortilla, tortilla. That’s basically all you get.
Second of all, this recipe is very non-exact. There is so much eyeballing that goes on here that I wasn’t sure I should even create an actual recipe. Especially with the cheese…add as much or as little cheese as you like on your quesadillas…no exact measurement!
Aaaanywho…so I got home from school today and was looking through the pictures, STILL debating whether or not to post it. I decided to go into the kitchen and whip up a super quick version of this (we still had left over meat in the fridge). No guacamole, no lettuce, no red onion. Just cheese, tortillas, and burger patty.
And it was sooooooo so so good. Even without any of the yummy toppings. So I decided to post it despite the “meh” pictures and non-exact recipe.
A month or so ago Seth and I had a big cookout at our house and had a bunch of people over. We decided to go with a “Southwest” type theme with the food. So I made a salad, Grilled Mexican Street Corn, and Southwestern burgers.
The burgers were seriously the best burgers we have ever had. They. Were. So. So. So. Good.
Once we tried them we immediately decided they needed to become a blog recipe. Those burgers were the inspiration for this dish! The only thing we changed is the fact that we used tortillas instead of burger buns. Everything else is the exact same. The spices in the meat, the guacamole, the cheese, the red onion, the lettuce, everything.
So yummy.
Can I just mention a random side note here? I 100% pronounce quesadilla ques-a-diya, but for some reason burgerdilla always comes out as burger-dilla.
Why? It should be burger-diya. But no.
Never.
Always burger-dilla.
Human brain: you perplex me.
Have a great rest-of-the-week!!!! I’ll see you on Monday :).
PrintSouthwest Burgerdilla

- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds ground beef
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt (more to taste – cook a teeny-tiny patty in the pan and taste for seasoning)
- 12 small (soft taco size) tortillas
- Pepper jack cheese (you can either use sandwich slices and slice them into “shreds” or buy a block of pepper jack and shred it yourself) – the amount will depend on how much cheese you like on your burgerdillas
- Toppings:
- Homemade guacamole
- Shredded romaine lettuce
- Diced red onions
Instructions
- Combine the beef, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Combine with your hands
- Place a small 1-2 teaspoon sized patty in a hot skillet and cook to taste for seasoning (this won’t take more than 1 minute and it is my burger trick for perfectly seasoned meat!!)
- Once your seasoning is right, form about 1/2 cup sized patties and place them in a skillet over medium-high heat
- Using a spatula, flatten out the patties as much as you possibly can while the meat is still raw to get them about the size (a little bigger if possible) of your tortillas
- If you make them this flat before placing them in the pan, the won’t stay together
- When the burgers are done cooking, remove them from the skillet
- Place one tortilla down, the shredded pepper jack cheese (if you use sandwich slices, be sure to slice them up first. The whole slices don’t work as well), a burger patty, more pepper jack cheese, and the second tortilla
- Cook until golden brown, flip, and cook the other side until golden brown
- Remove from the pan and top with homemade guacamole, red onion, and shredded romaine lettuce
- *If you don’t like spicy food, I would substitute another type of cheese for the pepper jack. Any Mexican blend would work well!*
If you make this or any of my other recipes, be sure to Instagram it and hashtag #thegarlicdiaries!
The pictures are great, in my opinion! They have my mouth watering and that’s the point, right? ;) I know how you feel though – I do the same exact thing when I’m not happy with the photos! I’m glad you chose to post them because I think my fiancé will now be your biggest fan! He is going to LOVE these. Quesadillas and burgers and two of his most eaten foods, so he’s going to flip over this!
Keri @ Fashionable Foods recently posted…Chipotle Chicken and Roasted Corn Tostadas
Thanks, Keri! I hope you try them and he loves them :).
I for one am glad you posted this! You just combined my 2 favorite comfort foods, quesadillas and burgers. Yum!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely recently posted…Quinoa & Black Bean Enchilada Stuffed Zucchinis
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Thank you, Natalie :). This sounds right up your alley then!!
I can never photograph quesadillas. Actually, we took them out of my book because they were so hard to photograph, so well done for that!
I am loving the name too and I am loving even more the big pile of guac on top.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Quinoa Sushi by Annmarie
They are so hard to photograph! Thanks, Dannii :).
You are too hard on yourself! Your photos look great! It’s funny how certain food is so much harder to photograph than others! Sometimes I start editing and realize I hate all my photos and retake them.
Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat recently posted…Asian Shrimp Saute
Thanks, Shelby! Some food really is SO MUCH harder!
This is such a great idea! I’m not much of a bread fan so pairing down the bread to just a tortilla is perfect for me. The fillings is always where it’s at. :)
Kristen @ The Endless Meal recently posted…August’s Blog Income Report
★★★★★
This would be perfect for you then, Kristen!
Quesadillas really are so hard to photograph but I think yours turned out amazingly well. Love the concept of combining a burger and quesadilla!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen recently posted…Orange Cauliflower
They really are! Thank you :).
So glad that you shared this recipe, Annie! And ‘burgerdilla’ this name is intriguing itself. Indeed really really delicious. And pairing these with flavor packed guacamole is the awesome idea. Loved these. :)
Thanks, Anu!
Quesadillas and sandwiches are the worst to photoghrapgh! This looks delicious, Annie! Love the flavor combo!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Honey Garlic Shrimp and Cilantro Lime Rice Bowl
Agreed!! Thanks, Gayle :).
We are friends, so I feel like it’s okay if I say, I would like to slap you silly. ;) These pictures are SO NOT “meh”! They look good. Really good! Like hand me all your burger-dillas damn good! But, I feel your struggle. I HATE shooting omeletts… i just shot them three times… and I Still hate the photos! Anyways (so not wanting to steal your self putty struggle). I am super glad you decided to share these because they look DELISH!!! LOVING the layers, flavors, PICTURES.. LOVES IT ALL!!! pinned! Cheers girlfriend! <3
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…[ad] Spatchcock & Grilled Szechuan Cornish Hens
★★★★★
Haha! Well thank you :). Omletts sound like they would be hard, too! I have never tried those before…I will treat cautiously if I ever do :).
Goodness gracious! Do not ever hesitate to share such a delicious recipe! I would eat guacamole on just about anything, but this burger-dilla is a genius stroke of creativity!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks recently posted…Bourbon Peach Mousse
Thanks, Rachelle :).