Sweet Savory Beef Quesadillas (Print version)
Tender sweet-savory beef, melty cheeses, and crisp tortillas come together for a comforting Tex-Mex meal.
# What goes in:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 10 oz flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1/2 tsp salt
04 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
05 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 2 tbsp brown sugar or honey
07 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
→ Additional Fillings
10 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
11 - 1/2 cup sweet corn kernels, drained
12 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
13 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
→ Tortillas
14 - 4 large flour tortillas
→ Serving
15 - Sour cream, for serving (optional)
16 - Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
17 - Lime wedges (optional)
# Cooking steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced beef, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Sauté for 2 minutes, tossing to coat evenly.
02 - Add brown sugar (or honey), soy sauce, minced garlic, and sliced red onion to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until the beef is browned and the onions are softened, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - Wipe the skillet clean and place it over medium heat. Lay one flour tortilla flat in the skillet. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and cheddar blend evenly over one half of the tortilla.
04 - Distribute the beef mixture, sliced red bell pepper, and corn kernels over the cheese. Fold the empty half of the tortilla over the filling, pressing gently to enclose.
05 - Cook the quesadilla for 2-3 minutes per side, pressing down lightly with a spatula, until the exterior is golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.
06 - Remove the finished quesadilla and set aside. Repeat the assembly and cooking process with the remaining tortillas and fillings.
07 - Cut each quesadilla into wedges. Serve warm accompanied by sour cream, chopped fresh cilantro, and lime wedges if desired.
# Tips from flavorandfeast:
01 -
- The brown sugar and soy sauce combo creates a caramelized crust on the beef that tastes like it took hours, not minutes.
- Using two cheeses means every single bite pulls apart with that satisfying stretch we all secretly live for.
02 -
- Do not overfill the tortilla or it will burst open when you flip it and you will have a skillet full of cheese and regret.
- Letting the beef sear without stirring for the first two minutes is the single step that turns this from good to unforgettable.
03 -
- Use a heavy bottomed skillet like cast iron for the most even browning and the crispiest tortilla exterior.
- Shred your own cheese from a block instead of buying pre shredded because the anti caking agents on bagged cheese prevent it from melting properly.