Savory Maple Bacon Cheeseburger Quesadillas with Cheddar (Print version)

Crispy cheeseburger quesadillas packed with maple-kissed beef, bacon, cheddar, pickles, and a quick skillet finish.

# Ingredients:

For the filling

01 - 8 slices bacon
02 - 1 lb (450 g) ground beef, 80/20 or 85/15
03 - 1/2 cup (75 g) finely diced yellow onion
04 - 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
05 - 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
06 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the quesadillas

11 - 4 large flour tortillas, 10-inch
12 - 2 cups (225 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
13 - 1/2 cup (80 g) dill pickle chips, patted dry and chopped if large
14 - 1 tablespoon neutral oil or reserved bacon drippings, for the pan

Optional burger sauce

15 - 1/3 cup (75 g) mayonnaise
16 - 2 tablespoons ketchup
17 - 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
18 - 1 tablespoon pickle juice

# Instructions:

01 - Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, 8-10 minutes. Transfer to paper towels, then chop. Pour off the drippings, leaving about 1 teaspoon in the pan if desired.
02 - Add the ground beef and onion to the skillet. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking up the beef, until browned and cooked through, 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
03 - Stir in the maple syrup, mustard, Worcestershire, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until the beef looks glossy and most liquid has reduced.
04 - In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and pickle juice. Refrigerate until serving.
05 - Place the tortillas on a work surface. Sprinkle cheddar over half of each tortilla, then layer on the beef mixture, bacon, pickles, and a little more cheddar. Fold each tortilla closed.
06 - Heat a thin film of oil or bacon drippings in a clean skillet over medium heat. Cook each quesadilla for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and melted. Rest for 1 minute, then slice into wedges and serve with sauce.

# Good to know:

01 - Serve immediately for the crispest tortillas.
02 - Pat pickles dry before adding them to avoid soggy filling.
03 - Use 1 tablespoon maple syrup if using maple-cured bacon.

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