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Spicy BBQ Beef quesadilla

Spicy BBQ Beef Quesadilla

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine American, Mexican
Servings 2 large quesadillas

Equipment

  • Large Skillet or Griddle
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Tongs
  • Small Mixing Bowl

Ingredients
  

For the BBQ Beef

  • 1 lb beef skirt steak or flank steak, thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp chili powder
  • ½ cup spicy BBQ sauce
  • 1 tbsp hot sauce optional, for extra heat

For the Quesadilla

  • 4 large flour tortillas
  • 1 ½ cups shredded Mexican cheese blend or cheddar/jack mix
  • ¼ cup pickled jalapeños optional, for extra heat
  • ½ small red onion thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp butter for crisping the tortillas

For Serving

  • Sour cream
  • Guacamole
  • Extra BBQ sauce
  • Fresh cilantro

Instructions
 

Cook the Beef

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the sliced beef and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and chili powder.
  3. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and cooked through.
  4. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the spicy BBQ sauce and hot sauce (if using). Simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
    sizzling, thinly sliced beef coated in a rich, reddish brown BBQ sauce

Assemble the Quesadillas

  1. Lay one tortilla flat on a clean surface.
  2. Sprinkle a layer of shredded cheese evenly across the tortilla.
  3. Spread a portion of the BBQ beef over the cheese, followed by pickled jalapeños and red onion slices.
  4. Add another layer of shredded cheese on top.
  5. Place a second tortilla on top, pressing down gently.
    tortilla laid flat on a wooden cutting board

Cook the Quesadillas

  1. Heat ½ tbsp butter in a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Carefully place the assembled quesadilla in the skillet.
  3. Cook for 2-3 minutes on one side, pressing down slightly with a spatula until golden brown and crispy.
  4. Carefully flip the quesadilla using a large spatula and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the second side is golden and the cheese is fully melted.
  5. Repeat with the second quesadilla, adding more butter if needed.

Serve and Enjoy

  1. Transfer the quesadillas to a cutting board and let them rest for a minute before slicing into triangles.
  2. Serve with sour cream, guacamole, and extra BBQ sauce.
  3. Garnish with fresh cilantro for added freshness.