Beef Quesadilla Recipe
Crunchy on the outside and full of cheesy beef goodness on the inside, this Beef Quesadilla Recipe is full of flavor and so easy to make.
My family has a love affair with Mexican food and indulge in it whenever we can. When it comes to combining ease and deliciousness this Beef Quesadilla Recipe is a long standing favorite.
This recipe is also one of our favorite ways to use up extra meet left over from the night before. And trust me it is so good it doesn’t taste like left overs.
These delicious Beef Quesadillas are perfect for lunch, dinner, or even a snack. If you are a lover of Mexican food like me then these are a must try.
Sunday afternoons were always filled with roast dinners in my home. Sunday nights left my mom finding creative ways to serve the left over roast. Her go to was creating shredded beef quesadillas.
This tradition in our family fell by the wayside until this last year when I decided to do it again. And I have to say that they are better than my childhood memories.
Beef quesadillas are the perfect finger food and are great vehicles for dipping into salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or cheese sauce. Whatever you choose you can’t go wrong.
Beef Quesadilla Ingredients
Shredded Beef: I like to use the left over meat from my Dutch Oven Pot Roast as the shredded beef in this dish. Any beef roast that is cooked will do. This beef quesadilla recipe can also be made with ground beef, shredded chicken, or shredded pork.
Green Chiles: Full of flavor but lacking the super hot spice these can be purchased at the store in cans. It is possible to get them in various degrees of spice. I typically go for the mild flavored ones.
Shredded Cheese: My go to cheese for making Mexican dishes is shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
Taco Seasoning: The best way to help give that Sunday roast a true Mexican flavor is to reheat the shredded beef with some taco seasoning. And if you like it spicy throw in some hot sauce as well to give it that kick.
Flour Tortillas: All you need is your basic flour tortillas that you can purchase at the grocery store. I prefer the fajita size tortillas made from white flour. However if you have a gluten sensitivity or prefer to use corn tortillas that is a possibility as well.
Cooking Instructions
The best advice I can give when making any recipe is to make sure that you have all of the ingredients or adequate substitutions on hand. Starting a recipe only to realize that you are missing a key ingredient is not fun. So I will always go over my recipe and make sure that I have all that I need to make it.
Therefore my greatest piece of wisdom in making this beef quesadilla recipe is make sure that you have what it take to make it.
Preparing The Beef
I start this recipe by heating up my left over Dutch Oven Pot Roast meat in a skillet. You may use any cooked meat that you have on hand. Ground beef is a great option for quesadillas. I find that using lean ground beef is best because there is less grease to drain off.
To create the beef mixture that will go on the inside of the beef quesadilla I will use a large non-stick skillet.
I will add:
- 2 Cups of Shredded Beef
- 1 tablespoons of avocado oil
- 1 Tablespoon Taco Seasoning
- 1 4 ounce can of Fire Roasted Green Chiles. I prefer the mild flavor.
- If you like things spicy then this is a good time to add a teaspoon or two of hot sauce.
Another option is to reheat the pre-cooked meat in a slow cooker on low for an hour and mixing all of the ingredients a few times while it cooks. Be sure to add about 1/4 cup of water if you do this to help keep it from drying out.
I cook all of the ingredients mixing them well and heating them completely. Once the beef mixture is heated through and the ingredients are evenly distributed I will remove the meat from the heat.
Preparing the Beef Quesadillas
To make the beef quesadillas crispy and give them a rich taste I put a half tablespoon of butter into a large skillet over medium heat.
Lay the flour tortilla flat into the pan and move it around with a spatula to ensure that it is coated with the butter.
The next step is to add a layer of cheese to one half of the flour tortilla.
To the cheese I will a generous amount of the shredded beef mixture.
Finally I will add another layer of cheese, because really can you have too much cheese.
If there are any extra toppings such as sautéed vegetables now is the time to add them.
Then I will take the side of the flour tortilla that does not have meat on it and I will fold it over the top of the other side of the tortilla.
Making sure that the tortilla becomes lightly brown on each side is key to get that crispy texture we all know and love.
I will use a spatula to lift the quesadilla and see if it is browning, this usually takes a few minutes. Once it is lightly brown I will use the spatula to turn it over and brown the other side.
During cooking the cheese should begin melting. It is okay if a bit of cheese seeps out the sides, it should crisp up in the pan.
And lets face it one of the benefits of any beef quesadilla recipe is in those crunchy bits of cheesy beef goodness that spill out.
Tips for Making This Beef Quesadilla Recipe
Add some heat if you like things spicy. Adding items such as red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or spicier green chiles.
If you love the flavor of a red sauce add some tomato paste to the shredded or ground beef while it is in the skillet heating. Once mixed with the taco seasoning and green chiles it gives a richer flavor to this beef quesadilla recipe.
What to Serve With Beef Quesadillas
On their own beef quesadillas are great. But when I pair them with Enchiladas or Beef Taquitos then I have a fun and delicious meal. One of the best things about this beef quesadilla recipe is that it is the perfect finger food to serve as an appetizer or at a get together.
If I am only in the mood for beef quesadillas by themselves I will pair them with some salsa, sour cream, and guacamole.
Adding some rice and beans to these would also make them a complete meal and compliment them nicely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Cheese Is Best For A Quesadilla?
Beef Quesadillas can be enjoyed as a quick snack or a full meal, and there’s no denying that cheese is the star ingredient in this delicious recipe. But with so many types of cheese available, which one is best for making quesadillas?
- Cheddar Cheese: Cheddar cheese is undoubtedly one of the most popular choices for quesadillas. It’s mild yet flavorful, and it melts beautifully to create a gooey texture that pairs perfectly with other ingredients like chicken, bell peppers, and onions.
- Monterey Jack Cheese: Monterey Jack cheese is another excellent option for quesadillas because it’s smooth and creamy, making it perfect for melting. It has a mild flavor similar to cheddar but with less tanginess.
- Pepper Jack Cheese: If you’re looking to add some spice to your quesadilla, then pepper jack cheese is an excellent choice. This type of cheese features spicy jalapenos mixed in with Monterey Jack, which adds heat and extra flavor to your dish.
- Oaxaca Cheese: Oaxaca cheese is a traditional Mexican cheese that’s commonly used in dishes like quesadillas because of its stringy texture when melted. It has a mild taste similar to mozzarella but slightly saltier.
- Queso Blanco: Queso blanco translates to “white cheese” in Spanish and refers to any fresh white cheeses made from cow or goat milk that are unaged or only aged for a short period.
What Type Of Tortillas Should I use For Quesadillas?
When it comes to making quesadillas, the type of tortilla you use is crucial to ensure that your dish turns out perfectly. The right choice of tortilla can make all the difference in terms of texture, flavor, and overall satisfaction. Here are some things to consider when selecting the best tortillas for your quesadillas:
Corn or Flour Tortillas?
The first decision you need to make is whether you want corn or flour tortillas for your quesadillas. Both types have their advantages and disadvantages.
Corn tortillas have a stronger flavor than flour tortillas and are slightly chewier. They also tend to be smaller in size, which makes them ideal for individual servings. However, they can be more fragile and may break apart if overstuffed.
Flour tortillas are larger and softer than corn tortillas, making them easier to work with when preparing quesadillas. They also provide a milder flavor that doesn’t overpower the filling’s taste but still adds an excellent texture contrast. However, they may not hold up as well when cooked at high temperatures.
Whole Wheat Tortilla: If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, whole wheat tortilla could be an excellent option as it’s packed with fiber and protein compared to other types of flour-based wraps.
Spinach or Tomato Tortilla: These specialty flavored tortilla options can add an extra boost of color and taste to your quesadilla recipe while still maintaining its deliciousness.
When it comes down to which type of tortilla should you use for your quesadilla recipe? It ultimately depends on your preference as each type offers different textures, flavors, nutritional values that cater best depending on how you want your final product to look and taste like!
Can Left Over Quesadillas Be Reheated?
The good news is that yes, leftover quesadillas can be reheated. However, it’s important to know how to reheat them properly so that they don’t become soggy or dry.
Here are some methods for reheating leftover quesadillas:
- Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Place the leftover quesadilla on a baking sheet and bake for about 10-15 minutes until heated through and crispy.
- Stovetop Method: Heat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Place the leftover quesadilla in the pan and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side until heated through and crispy.
- Microwave Method: Place the leftover quesadilla on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave for about 30 seconds at a time until heated through.
Tips:
- Don’t overheat as this could cause the cheese to become rubbery.
- If your quesadilla has toppings like salsa or guacamole, remove them before reheating as they may cause sogginess.
- For best results, store your leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Other Recipes to Try
Beef Quesadilla
Equipment
- 1 Large Skillet
- 1 Large Spatula
Ingredients
- 4 Flour Tortillas
- 2 Cups Shredded Beef
- 1 1/2 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1 tbsp Avocado Oil or Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp Taco Seasoning
- 1 4 ounce Can of Fire Roasted Green Chiles
- 2 tbsp Butter
Instructions
- In a large non-stick skillet over medium heat add the following:1 tablespoons of avocado oil2 Cups of Shredded Beef 1 Tablespoon Taco Seasoning1 4 ounce can of Fire Roasted Green Chiles. I prefer the mild flavor. If you like things spicy then this is a good time to add a teaspoon or two of hot sauce.Mix the ingredients and let the meat mixture cook until it is heated through then remove from the heat.
- To make the beef quesadillas crispy and give them a rich taste I put a half tablespoon of butter into a large skillet over medium heat.Lay the flour tortilla flat into the pan and move it around with a spatula to ensure that it is coated with the butter.The next step is to add a layer of cheese to one half of the flour tortilla.To the cheese I will a generous amount of the shredded beef mixture.Finally I will add another layer of cheese, because really can you have too much cheese.If there are any extra toppings such as sautéed vegetables now is the time to add them.
- Then I will take the side of the flour tortilla that does not have meat on it and I will fold it over the top of the other side of the tortilla.Making sure that the tortilla becomes lightly brown on each side is key to get that crispy texture we all know and love. I will use a spatula to lift the quesadilla and see if it is browning, this usually takes a few minutes. Once it is lightly brown I will use the spatula to turn it over and brown the other side.During cooking the cheese should begin melting. It is okay if a bit of cheese seeps out the sides, it should crisp up in the pan. And lets face it one of the benefits of any beef quesadilla recipe is in those crunchy bits of cheesy beef goodness that spill out.
- Once the Quesadilla is lightly browned on both sides remove from the heat and set aside.Repeat until all of the quesadillas are made. Serve with your favorite sides and Enjoy!
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