The Applebee’s quesadilla burger is a popular menu item at the American casual dining restaurant chain. It combines two fan favorites – a burger and a quesadilla. This mouthwatering burger is sandwiched between two flour tortillas filled with melty pepper jack cheese. It offers a delicious Tex-Mex flair to the classic burger and fries meal.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore everything that comes on the Applebee’s quesadilla burger and analyze each component of this indulgent meal. Understanding what is included in this burger can help you know what to expect when ordering it off the menu. We will also provide some tips on how to customize this burger to suit your personal tastes.
The Burger Patty
The star of the Applebee’s quesadilla burger is the burger patty itself. It features a seasoned all-beef patty that is charbroiled to order. This gives the burger a delicious smoky flavor from being cooked over an open flame. The patty is juicy and flavorful on the inside while having a nice sear on the outside.
Applebee’s uses good quality ground chuck for their burger patties. They are generally around a half pound in size so the burger has a substantial heft to it. The patties are seasoned simply with just a bit of salt and pepper to highlight the robust beef flavor.
You can customize your quesadilla burger patty done to your preferred temperature. The chefs can cook it rare, medium rare, medium, medium well, or well done. This allows you to get the exact doneness you like for your burger patty.
Pepper Jack Cheese
Melted pepper jack cheese is what makes this a quesadilla burger. Pepper jack is a spicy cheese that is a blend of Monterey Jack cheese and chopped jalapeño peppers. The cheese has a creamy texture that melts beautifully against the hot burger patty.
The pepper jack cheese provides a nice kick of heat and Southwest flavor. The spicy cheese complement the charbroiled beef patty well in the quesadilla burger. Its gooey melted texture also helps adhere the flour tortillas together to keep the burger intact.
The Applebee’s quesadilla burger uses around two slices of pepper jack cheese per burger. You can always request extra cheese or a different cheese if you are not a fan of pepper jack. Cheddar or Swiss cheese are popular substitutions for the quesadilla burger.
Flour Tortillas
To create its quesadilla-style enclosure, the Applebee’s quesadilla burger uses two grilled flour tortillas. Flour tortillas have a wonderful soft and pliable texture perfect for quesadillas. When grilled, the tortillas develop a deliciously crispy exterior while remaining warm and pillowy within.
The tortillas are brushed with a buttery oil before being grilled. This gives them a nice golden color and additional richness. The flour tortillas help contain the juicy burger patty and melted cheese to create a tidy hand-held package. They add great texture to each bite of the burger.
The tortillas are approximately 6-inches in diameter so they are just large enough to contain the burger patty and cheese. Applebee’s uses white flour tortillas instead of whole wheat. You can request whole wheat tortillas if you prefer a healthier fiber-filled option.
Fries
No burger meal is complete without hot crispy french fries! The Applebee’s quesadilla burger comes with a generous side portion of golden french fries. These fries have fluffy centers and crunchy outer crusts.
The fries are fried until golden brown and sprinkled with salt for flavor. They make the perfect accompaniment for your cheesy Applebee’s burger. The fries also help balance out the richness of the burger and cheese.
If you want to cut calories, you can substitute the fries for Applebee’s steakhouse sides. Broccoli or a baked potato are healthier swaps. You can also opt for fresh fruit instead of the fries if you want something lighter.
Burger Sauce
To bring everything together, the Applebee’s quesadilla burger includes a signature burger sauce. This sauce has a creamy mayonnaise-like base and a zest of flavor.
The recipe for the burger sauce is a well-kept secret. But it appears to contain mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, garlic, onion, spices, and a hint of lemon juice. The sauce adds a tangy creaminess that brings the whole burger together. It complements the smoky meatiness of the beef patty and spicy pepper jack cheese.
Just a thin smear of the sauce is spread on the burger bun before serving. This prevents the burger from getting too soggy but still provides plenty of flavor. The sauce helps create a cohesive flavor profile so all the components work harmoniously together.
Onion and Tomato Garnish
To give some freshness to the burger, Applebee’s tops it with sliced onion and tomato. The onion is a thinly shaved white onion that provides a mild oniony crunch. The tomatoes are ripe red tomato slices that add juice and acidity.
Along with the shredded lettuce on the burger, the onions and tomatoes give the quesadilla burger some vegetal texture and moisture. Their flavors help cut through the richness of the cheese-laden burger.
The onion and tomato garnish is pretty simple and sparse. But you can always ask for extra tomatoes, onions, lettuce, or other veggies to give your burger more fresh produce. Avocado or grilled mushrooms are other tasty options.
Brioche Bun
Holding the Applebee’s quesadilla burger all together is a lightly toasted brioche bun. Brioche is a classic burger bun choice prized for its lightness and eggy sweetness. The Applebee’s brioche buns are pillowy soft and have a subtle sweetness.
The bun is toasted on a flat top grill before the burger is assembled. This gives the brioche a crispy edge and warm crunch. But the interior stays soft to cradle the hot burger. Brioche is sturdy enough to contain the quesadilla burger’s juicy fillings without getting soggy.
If you prefer, you can get the quesadilla burger wrapped in lettuce instead of the bun. This low-carb option eliminates the carbs and calories from the bread. But you lose out on the satisfying bun texture.
How to Customize Your Quesadilla Burger
One of the great things about the Applebee’s quesadilla burger is all the options for customization. Here are some tips for tailoring the burger to your personal preferences:
– Ask for your ideal burger patty temperature and doneness
– Substitute pepper jack for a different cheese like cheddar or Swiss
– Swap in whole wheat tortillas instead of white flour
– Replace fries with a healthier side like fruit or steamed veggies
– Add extra toppings like bacon, guacamole, grilled onions, etc.
– Remove ingredients you don’t like such as tomato or onion
– Ask for any sauce or dressing on the side to control the amount
– Consider a lettuce wrap instead of the bun to reduce carbs
– Order an additional quesadilla patty to make it a double burger
The kitchen staff at Applebee’s are happy to accommodate reasonable custom burger requests. Feel free to ask for a quesadilla burger made just how you like it!
Nutrition Information
The Applebee’s quesadilla burger is a decadent, high-calorie menu option. Here is the approximate nutrition information for the standard quesadilla burger meal:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1210 |
| Total Fat | 71g |
| Saturated Fat | 25g |
| Trans Fat | 1.5g |
| Cholesterol | 155mg |
| Sodium | 2010mg |
| Carbohydrates | 90g |
| Fiber | 6g |
| Sugar | 9g |
| Protein | 57g |
As you can see, the quesadilla burger delivers a powerhouse dose of calories, fat, and sodium. The burger alone contains about 800 calories before factoring the side of fries. This meal is best enjoyed occasionally as a treat-yourself splurge.
To lighten it up, you can make substitutions like getting fruit instead of fries. A lettuce wrap will also substantially reduce carbs and calories. Or you can take half the burger home since it contains two hearty patties inside.
Price
Applebee’s regularly updates their menu prices so check your local restaurant for the most accurate pricing. As of November 2022, the Applebee’s quesadilla burger costs around $12.99 – $14.99 depending on the location.
This meal deal typically includes the burger, side of french fries, and your choice of soft drink. Adding any additional customizations or upgrades may incur an extra charge. Coupons and special discounts can occasionally bring down the total price of this popular menu item as well.
Given the large portion size and abundant ingredients, the quesadilla burger represents a reasonable value at Applebee’s. You get plenty of food for your money with this filling Tex-Mex style burger.
Conclusion
With its seasoned beef patties, melted pepper jack cheese, grilled flour tortillas, and signature burger sauce, the Applebee’s quesadilla burger offers an indulgent culinary experience. This fusion meal brings together classic American diner fare with Mexican flavors.
The burger comes loaded with calories and fat, especially when paired with the french fry side. But you have ample options to customize the quesadilla burger’s ingredients to suit your dietary needs. Opt for lean protein, extra veggies, and healthy sides to lighten it up. Or enjoy the burger in all its cheesy glory as an occasional treat.
Either way you choose to eat it, the Applebee’s quesadilla burger makes for an exciting and satisfying meal. Its blend of flavors and textures in each bite is hard to beat! So next time you’re craving comfort food with a kick, this innovative Tex-Mex burger creation should hit the spot.