Here’s a simple and flavorful recipe for Steak Quesadillas, featuring tender strips of steak, melted cheese, and a perfect crispy tortilla shell. These quesadillas are a great way to enjoy steak in a handheld, cheesy form!
Steak Quesadillas
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 1 lb flank steak or sirloin steak
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 8 flour tortillas (10-inch)
- 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese (or Monterey Jack and cheddar)
- 1/2 cup diced onion (optional)
- 1/2 cup diced bell pepper (optional)
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
- 1 tbsp butter (for grilling)
Optional toppings and sides:
- Sour cream
- Salsa or pico de gallo
- Guacamole
Instructions
- Cook the steak:
- Season the steak on both sides with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the steak and cook for 4-5 minutes per side (for medium-rare), or until the desired level of doneness is reached.
- Remove the steak from the pan and let it rest for 5 minutes. Slice the steak thinly against the grain.
- Prepare the quesadilla filling:
- If using, sauté diced onion and bell pepper in the same skillet with a little olive oil for 3-4 minutes until softened. Set aside.
- In a bowl, mix the shredded cheese and cilantro (optional).
- Assemble the quesadillas:
- Lay out a tortilla on a clean surface. Add a small handful of the cheese mixture, followed by a layer of sliced steak, and sautéed onion/pepper (if using). Top with a little more cheese for extra meltiness.
- Place another tortilla on top to form the quesadilla.
- Grill the quesadillas:
- Heat a little butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Place the assembled quesadilla in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes, pressing down slightly with a spatula, until the bottom is golden brown and crispy.
- Flip the quesadilla carefully and cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy, and the cheese is melted inside.
- Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
- Serve:
- Remove the quesadillas from the skillet and let them rest for a minute. Cut them into wedges and serve with sour cream, salsa, and guacamole on the side.
Tips for Success:
- Steak options: Flank steak or skirt steak work best for this recipe, but you can also use sirloin or rib-eye.
- Cheese choices: For a more flavorful quesadilla, you can add a bit of pepper jack cheese or even some crumbled queso fresco.
- Add some heat: If you like a bit of spice, add sliced jalapeños to the filling.
These Steak Quesadillas are perfect for a quick, satisfying meal that’s full of flavor and crispy goodness!