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    Home » Meal » Dinner

    Published: Aug 16, 2022 · Modified: Apr 23, 2023 by Genevieve · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Carne Asada Quesadilla

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    Carne asada quesadilla cut into six pieces and topped with cilantro and cream on a black plate. The bottom half of the image has a blue background with the words Carne Asada Quesadilla and the URL for Two Cloves Kitchen.

    This smoky, savory, comforting Carne Asada Quesadilla features marinated steak nestled in rich melted cheese between crisp toasted tortillas. Make the carne asada in advance to have a quick, easy weeknight dinner ready in minutes!

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
    Carne asada quesadilla cut into six pieces and topped with cilantro and cream on a black plate surrounded by a green linen, a lime slice, and wooden cutting board.
    Jump to:
    • What You'll Need
    • How to Prepare
    • Variations
    • How to Store
    • FAQ
    • Expert Tips
    • How to Serve
    • More Recipes You'll Love
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments
    Image shows labeled ingredients for carne asada quesadillas on white plates on a white marble counter top.

    What You'll Need

    Two Cloves Kitchen, as an Amazon Affiliate, makes a small percentage from qualified sales made through affiliate links at no cost to you.

    • One Recipe Ranchera Meat
    • Tortillas I am personally a fan of flour tortillas, but use whatever tortillas you like best. For quesadillas with a lot of filling, use smaller tortillas. For less filled quessdillas, use a larger tortilla.
    • Shredded Cheese You can shred your own cheese or use pre-grated cheese. Cheese you shred yourself will melt better, but I would be lying if I said I never used pre-grated cheese at home.
    • Cooking Oil Try a cooking oil spray, or use a small amount of grapeseed oil, avocado oil, or olive oil to coat the pan before cooking each quesadilla. If using olive oil, use a lower heat to avoid scorching the oil and creating a bitter taste.

    How to Prepare

    Step One Prepare the carne asada. Recipe and instructions are shown on our Ranchera Meat post.

    Step Two Heat a cast iron, stainless steel, or nonstick pan to medium to high heat. Cast iron pans and stainless steel pans will do well on high heat. Nonstick pans should not be heated above medium heat.

    Step Three Drizzle or spray some cooking oil into the pan. Add the first tortilla, a later of cheese, a layer of carne asada.

    Let melt for a minute or so, then add second tortilla to top. Press into the pan with a spatula.

    A tortilla, shredded cheese, and sliced carne asada are stacked in a cast iron pan.

    Step Four Once the first side is golden brown and the cheese is mostly melted, flip and cook on the second side until a golden brown color and fully melted cheese is achieved.

    The image below shows the color you are looking for.

    Carne asada quesadilla cut into six pieces on a black plate sitting on a wooden cutting board on a white marble counter.

    Step Five Once the quesadilla is fully cooked, remove from the pan, slice, and top with whatever you would like: cilantro, sour cream or crema, salsa, guacamole, lime juice, hot sauce.

    Side view of slices of carne asada quesadilla showing melted cheese and steak between pieces of toasted tortilla on a black plate.

    Step Six Serve while hot!

    Variations

    Chicken, Shrimp, or Fish Try using the marinade for the Ranchera Meat on chicken, shrimp, or fish. Only marinate for an hour or so if using seafood to preserve its delicate texture.

    Spicy Add some thinly sliced jalapeños or hot sauce to the finished dish.

    Grilled Vegetables You can use the marinade above on vegetables like zucchini, summer squash, or bell peppers for an hour or so, then grilled the vegetables and add to your quesadilla.

    How to Store

    Cool and then store in an airtight container, making sure to transfer to the fridge within 2 hours of cooking for food safety reasons.

    FAQ

    What is carne asada?

    Carne Asada means grilled meat. Most commonly, carne asada refers to marinated, grilled beef used as a main dish or filling for tacos, burritos, and other Mexican fare. 

    The carne asada on most menus and most frequently associated with the term is the Northern Mexican variety. This recipe utilizes those flavors.

    How long does this last in the fridge?

    This will last for 3 days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container.

    Can I make this ahead of time?

    You can. This is a great make-ahead lunch or dinner.

    How do I reheat this dish?

    Reheat this dish in a pan with a little bit of oil or in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes. Reheating in the pan will offer a more crisp exterior.

    Expert Tips

    • Make the meat ahead of time and store in the fridge so you're prepared to make a quick meal.
    • Shred your own cheese for superior melting. Pre-shredded cheeses have anti-caking agents to keep the individual bits of cheese separate so, unsurprisingly, it doesn't melt together as well as hand grated cheese.
    • If using a cast iron or stainless steel pan, feel free to use high heat. If using a nonstick pan, do not go above medium heat. This will preserve the pan's nonstick qualities for longer.

    How to Serve

    While this quesadilla will be the big ticket item on your dinner table, it's complemented well by a variety of side dishes. Here are some suggestions for how to fill out your plate:

    Chips and Salsa - Try your hand at these homemade tortilla chips and some Pineapple Pico de Gallo.

    Grilled Vegetables - Serve this quesadilla with some easy, healthy grilled vegetables.

    Salad - Have a side salad alongside this quesadilla. I like a salad dressed with this cilantro lime dressing. For something truly delicious, add some smoked pineapple, too.

    Beans and Rice Add some black beans and this Mexican rice recipe to your plate for a filling dinner.

    Soup - Have a cup of this wonderful Sopa de Lima!

    Looking for a drink to make? Try this Mexican Margarita! How about dessert? Try these gluten free churros!

    More Recipes You'll Love

    For some additional quesadilla toppings, try these recipes:

    Spicy Pickled Onions

    Pineapple Habanero Sauce

    Chipotle Southwest Sauce

    Pineapple Pico de Gallo

    Pineapple Habanero Salsa

    📖 Recipe

    Carne asada quesadilla cut into six pieces and topped with cilantro and cream on a black plate surrounded by a green linen, a lime slice, and wooden cutting board.

    Carne Asada Quesadilla

    Smoky, savory, citrusy marinated steak nestled in rich melted cheese between crisp toasted tortillas. Make the carne asada in advance for a super quick, easy dinner!
    5 from 43 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Mexican
    Keyword: Easy Recipe, Easy Weeknight Meal, Quick
    Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 quesadillas
    Calories: 860kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Large Frying Pan Cast Iron Pan, or Nonstick Pan
    • Spatula

    Ingredients

    Carne Asada

    • 1 prepared recipe for Ranchera Meat

    Quesadilla

    • 8 tortillas
    • avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or other vegetable oil
    • 2 cups shredded cheese such as cheddar, jack, asadero, or whatever you have on hand

    Instructions

    Carne Asada

    • Prepare the Ranchera Meat in advance or have another precooked carne asada on hand.

    Quesadilla

    • Heat a cast iron, stainless steel, or nonstick pan to medium to high heat. Cast iron pans and stainless steel pans will do well on high heat. Nonstick pans should not be heated above medium heat.
    • Drizzle or spray some cooking oil into the pan. Add the first tortilla, a later of cheese, a layer of carne asada. Let melt for a minute or so, then add second tortilla to top. Press into the pan with a spatula.
    • Once the first side is golden brown and the cheese is mostly melted, flip and cook on the second side until a golden brown color and fully melted cheese is achieved.
    • Transfer to a cutting board, cut, and top with desired toppings. Serve hot.

    Notes

    • Make the meat ahead of time and store in the fridge so you're prepared to make a quick meal.
    • Work in batches to create each quesadilla depending on the size of your pan. Two small quesadillas will likely fit in a large pan at a time.
    • Cool and then store quesadillas in an airtight container, making sure to transfer to the fridge within 2 hours of cooking for food safety reasons. They will last in the fridge for 3 days.
    • Reheat in a pan with a bit of oil or in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes.
    • You can make this meal ahead of time and reheat as instructed above when ready to eat.
    • Shred your own cheese for superior melting. Pre-shredded cheeses have anti-caking agents to keep the individual bits of cheese separate so, unsurprisingly, it doesn't melt together as well as hand grated cheese.
    • Be sure to cut your meat against the grain for a tender dish. Instead of cutting with the direction of the long fibers running through the steak, cutting across these fibers shortens them and makes the meat easier to chew.
    • Patting your meat dry before cooking will ensure you get attractive grill marks and prevent the meat from boiling in the marinade.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 860kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 64g | Fat: 51g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 226mg | Sodium: 911mg | Potassium: 827mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 379IU | Calcium: 423mg | Iron: 6mg

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rupali says

      August 16, 2022 at 8:57 am

      5 stars
      I made these for my daughter's school lunch, and she loved them and wants me to make again. I like how easy it is to prepare and scale up for multiple meals.

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        August 16, 2022 at 6:09 pm

        What a lucky girl! Thank you Rupali.

        Reply
    2. k says

      August 16, 2022 at 2:50 pm

      5 stars
      I have to confess, I've been on a quesadilla kick lately. We had some leftover carne asade from a bbq the other day and this recipe totally inspired me to have fun with the leftovers!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        August 16, 2022 at 6:09 pm

        We love quesadillas, too - so easy! Thanks K.

        Reply
    3. Sherry says

      August 17, 2022 at 1:26 am

      5 stars
      I made your Carne Asada Quesadillas and they were a hit with my family. Your quesadilla recipe was super easy to follow they requested that I make it again for them.

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        August 17, 2022 at 2:09 am

        So glad they enjoyed it!

        Reply
    4. Sherrie says

      August 17, 2022 at 3:09 am

      5 stars
      One word: DeLish!! This came out so perfectly. My family practically inhaled them. A definite winner!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        August 17, 2022 at 3:23 am

        Yay! Thanks Sherrie!

        Reply
    5. MacKenzie says

      August 17, 2022 at 3:16 am

      5 stars
      I am always looking for new recipes and this one was perfect. My entire family loved it. The carne asada inside the cheesy tortilla is the best combination.

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        August 17, 2022 at 3:22 am

        Happy to hear they enjoyed it!

        Reply
    6. Dana says

      August 18, 2022 at 1:10 am

      5 stars
      These easy quesadillas pack a lot of flavor into each bite! Next time I'm going to have to make extra so we have some left over for lunches the next day.

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        August 18, 2022 at 1:25 am

        Thanks Dana!

        Reply
    7. Lara says

      August 18, 2022 at 1:44 am

      5 stars
      These quesadillas are right up my alley! I'm going to make them with low carb tortillas to make them keto. Can't wait!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        August 18, 2022 at 5:59 pm

        Ooh, good idea! Thanks Lara

        Reply
    8. Erica says

      August 18, 2022 at 3:55 am

      5 stars
      Steak quesadillas are my favorite!! These are so easy and your asada recipe is absolutely on point! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        August 18, 2022 at 5:59 pm

        Thank you, Erica!

        Reply
    9. Cami says

      August 19, 2022 at 2:05 am

      5 stars
      Can't wait to try this as i love quesadillas so much!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        August 19, 2022 at 9:02 pm

        Hope you enjoy!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Gen! Welcome to Two Cloves Kitchen. I am a professional chef, lifelong recipe creator, writer, and editor. As a native Californian and a major food lover, I am constantly developing new California-inspired dishes with bold flavor to share with you here on the site.

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