Easiest Shredded Beef Quesadillas Recipe To Make At Home
These easy shredded beef quesadillas are a delicious and simple recipe. With just a few ingredients and a hot cast iron skillet, you can serve your family a delicious crunchy quesadilla that will leave everyone asking for more!!
Shredded Beef Quesadilla Ingredients
Tortillas
This recipe calls to use burrito sized flour tortilla shells. Although you can use any size tortilla, I’ve found this to be a good size to hold the best amount of meat and cheese. This also seems to be a similar size to what many restaurants and food trucks use for their quesadillas. I also like flour tortillas because they seem to hold together the best.
If you cannot find burrito sized tortillas, you can use any size you can or prefer to use.
Shredded Beef
The shredded need that I use in this recipe is typically left over shredded beef from my Simple and Delicious Shredded Beef Roast in a Slow Cooker recipe. I typically make a larger amount than we need so I can freeze the extras. This makes it easy to make these quesadillas any time.
Cheese
Shredded cheese is the metaphoric glue that holds together any quesadilla! Because of this, it’s best to use one or more kinds of cheese that melts well. A cheese that melts well will ensure you have a gooey quesadilla that doesn’t have a burnt shell!
A mix of cheddar and mozzarella are the cheeses I like to use for this recipe. While the cheddar does have some good melting qualities, its main purpose is flavor! The mozzarella is mainly included for having a better melting quality.
Caramelized Onions
While not completely required for these quesadillas, caramelized onions really add to the overall flavor! I highly recommend taking the time to sauté an onion or two so you have the deliciousness of the caramelized onions in each bite!
Seasonings
Since the shredded beef is not overly seasoned, the seasonings in this recipe really level up the flavor of the finished quesadillas. There are just two seasonings that are listed but they really turn the final product from good to great. You’ll be surprised at how much a little cumin and garlic powder will improve the flavor!
Shredded Beef Quesadillas Substitutions
Although there are very few ingredients to this recipe there are still substitutions that can be made!
The first substitution is the meat. If you don’t have shredded beef on hand, you could use ground beef, shredded or chopped chicken or even beans! The protein you choose will definitely change the flavor and experience a bit. However, you’re likely to still end up with a delicious quesadilla.
The second substitution is the cheese. You don’t NEED to use the same cheese listed here. My only recommendation is to use a cheese or a combination of cheeses that you enjoy and have good melting qualities.
The last substitution is for the tortilla. If you can’t use flour tortillas or cannot find a burrito size, you can definitely use a smaller option or a tortilla with different flour. Just use whichever tortilla option you like or keep on hand.
Storing Leftover Shredded Beef Quesadillas
Any shredded beef quesadillas that are left over can be stored in an airtight container after they are fully cooled. Keep in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
Ingredients & Tools
4 Burrito size tortillas
2 Cups Shredded beef
2 Cups Shredded cheese
1 tsp Ground Cumin
1 tsp Garlic Powder
2 cups diced onion
Cooking oil of choice
Large cast Iron pizza pan or skillet
Tongs
Directions
Preheat a cast iron or stainless steel skillet on medium heat with your oil of choice.
Dice onions into pieces no bigger than a half inch square.
Once the skillet is preheated, add the onions and reduce the heat to medium low to caramelize. Gently sauté the onions until translucent and light brown. Be sure to stir the onions occasionally.
When the onions are caramelized, remove them from the skillet and set aside.
Preheat your cast iron pizza pan or skillet on the stovetop on a medium heat.
While the pan is preheating, assemble your quesadillas on your counter. For each tortilla, mix together ½ cup shredded cheese with ½ cup Shredded beef 1 TBSP caramelized onions.
Once mixed, evenly distribute the mixture onto half of the tortilla. Fold the other half over the filling to make a half circle. Repeat this for all the tortillas and mixture you have.
When the cast iron is heated, transfer one tortillas to the cast iron pan and cook each side until golden brown. Repeat for each prepared quesadilla.
As each quesadilla is finished cooking, you can serve immediately. If you are waiting to serve everyone at once, I recommend transferring each finished quesadilla to a cooling rack. This will ensure the outside of the tortilla stays crispy!
After all quesadillas are cooked to your preference, serve immediately with your desired sides.
Store any leftovers into an airtight container and in the fridge for 3-5 days.
FAQ:
What Kind Of Tortillas To Use For Homemade Quesadillas?
This recipe calls to use burrito sized flour tortilla shells. Although you can use any size tortilla, I’ve found this to be a good size to hold the best amount of meat and cheese. This also seems to be a similar size to what many restaurants and food trucks use for their quesadillas. I also like flour tortillas because they seem to hold together the best.
If you cannot find burrito sized tortillas, you can use any size you can or prefer to use.
What Kind Of Shredded Beef To Use For Homemade Quesadillas?
The shredded need that I use in this recipe is typically left over shredded beef from my Simple and Delicious Shredded Beef Roast in a Slow Cooker Recipe. I typically make a larger amount than we need so I can freeze the extras. This makes it easy to make these quesadillas any time.
What Kind Of Cheese To Use For Beef Quesadillas?
Shredded cheese is the metaphoric glue that holds together any quesadilla! Because of this, it’s best to use one or more kinds of cheese that melts well. A cheese that melts well will ensure you have a gooey quesadilla that doesn’t have a burnt shell!
A mix of cheddar and mozzarella are the cheeses I like to use for this recipe. While the cheddar does have some good melting qualities, its main purpose is flavor! The mozzarella is mainly included for having a better melting quality.
Do I Have To Use Caramelized Onions?
While not completely required for these quesadillas, caramelized onions really add to the overall flavor! I highly recommend taking the time to sauté an onion or two so you have the deliciousness of the caramelized onions in each bite!
What Seasonings Are Used For Shredded Beef Quesadillas?
Since the shredded beef is not overly seasoned, the seasonings in this recipe really level up the flavor of the finished quesadillas. There are just two seasonings that are listed but they really turn the final product from good to great. You’ll be surprised at how much a little cumin and garlic powder will improve the flavor!
Can I use Different Meat?
If you don’t have shredded beef on hand, you could use ground beef, shredded or chopped chicken or even beans! The protein you choose will definitely change the flavor and experience a bit. However, you’re likely to still end up with a delicious quesadilla.
Can I Use Different Cheese?
You don’t NEED to use the same cheese listed here. My only recommendation is to use a cheese or a combination of cheeses that you enjoy and have good melting qualities.
Can I Use Different Tortillas?
If you can’t use flour tortillas or cannot find a burrito size, you can definitely use a smaller option or a tortilla with different flour. Just use whichever tortilla option you like or keep on hand.
How Do I Store Leftover Shredded Beef Quesadillas?
Any shredded beef quesadillas that are left over can be stored in an airtight container after they are fully cooled. Keep in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
Did you try this? Share your creations in the comments or by tagging @MissysHomestead on Instagram.
Shredded Beef Quesadillas
Equipment
- Large cast Iron pizza pan or skillet
- Tongs
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 4 Burrito size tortillas
- 2 Cups Shredded beef
- 2 Cups Shredded cheese
- 1 tsp Ground Cumin
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 2 cups diced onion
- Cooking oil of choice
Instructions
- Preheat a cast iron or stainless steel skillet on medium heat with your oil of choice.
- Dice onions into pieces no bigger than a half inch square.
- Once the skillet is preheated, add the onions and reduce the heat to medium low to caramelize. Gently sauté the onions until translucent and light brown. Be sure to stir the onions occasionally.
- When the onions are caramelized, remove them from the skillet and set aside.
- Preheat your cast iron pizza pan or skillet on the stovetop on a medium heat.
- While the pan is preheating, assemble your quesadillas on your counter. For each tortilla, mix together ½ cup shredded cheese with ½ cup Shredded beef 1 TBSP caramelized onions.
- Once mixed, evenly distribute the mixture onto half of the tortilla. Fold the other half over the filling to make a half circle. Repeat this for all the tortillas and mixture you have.
- When the cast iron is heated, transfer one tortillas to the cast iron pan and cook each side until golden brown. Repeat for each prepared quesadilla.
- As each quesadilla is finished cooking, you can serve immediately. If you are waiting to serve everyone at once, I recommend transferring each finished quesadilla to a cooling rack. This will ensure the outside of the tortilla stays crispy!
- After all quesadillas are cooked to your preference, serve immediately with your desired sides.
- Store any leftovers into an airtight container and in the fridge for 3-5 days.
