Sweet Savory Beef Quesadillas (Printable)
Caramelized beef, melted cheeses, peppers and corn folded in crisp flour tortillas with a sweet-savory finish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 10 oz flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
05 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar or honey
07 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
→ Additional Fillings
10 - 1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
11 - 1/2 cup sweet corn kernels, canned or fresh, drained
12 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
13 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
→ Tortillas
14 - 4 large flour tortillas (10-inch)
→ Serving
15 - Sour cream, for serving (optional)
16 - Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
17 - Lime wedges (optional)
# Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced beef, kosher salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Sauté for 2 minutes, stirring frequently to ensure even browning.
02 - Add the brown sugar (or honey), soy sauce, minced garlic, and sliced red onion to the skillet. Cook, stirring continuously, until the beef is fully browned and the onions have softened, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the mixture from heat and set aside.
03 - Wipe the skillet clean and return it to medium heat. Place one flour tortilla in the skillet. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and cheddar cheese mixture evenly over one half of the tortilla.
04 - Arrange the cooked beef mixture, sliced red bell pepper, and corn kernels over the cheese. Fold the tortilla in half to enclose the filling completely.
05 - Cook the folded quesadilla for 2 to 3 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese has fully melted.
06 - Remove the finished quesadilla from the skillet and repeat the assembly and cooking process with the remaining tortillas, cheese, and filling ingredients.
07 - Cut each quesadilla into wedges. Serve warm alongside sour cream, freshly chopped cilantro, and lime wedges as desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The brown sugar and soy sauce combo creates this glossy caramelized coating on the beef that tastes like something you would order at a restaurant but barely takes any effort.
- Melting two kinds of cheese inside a crispy tortilla is the kind of simple magic that makes everyone hover around the stove waiting for the next one.
02 -
- Do not overstuff the tortillas or they will burst open and spill filling everywhere when you try to flip them.
- Letting the beef rest off heat for a minute before assembling keeps the juices inside instead of soaking through the tortilla.
03 -
- Use a second pan or a heavy lid to press down on the quesadilla while it cooks for the most even browning.
- Shred your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded because the anti caking additives on bagged cheese keep it from melting properly.