Authentic Mexican quesadilla recipe (chicken, beef, or vegetarian)
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This quesadilla recipe is a well-balanced meal with a wealth of carbs from the tortillas, proteins from the meat, and vitamins from the different ingredients including vegetables.
Has anyone said Mexican food? People who know me well, know that apart from Lebanese food, Mexican cuisine comes next. There is something about the seasoning that has always triggered me be it tacos, fajitas, or quesadilla. Frankly, who would say no to quick easy recipes loaded with flavors?
Whenever we want to go for a fulfilling Mexican meal, we always opt for quesadillas. That’s probably because it is a well-balanced meal with a wealth of carbs from the tortillas, proteins from the meat, and vitamins from the different ingredients including vegetables.
Quesadilla is a Mexican dish that involves marinating the meat and vegetables with a few spices and cooking them to perfection. To arrange the quesadilla, you can fold the tortilla bread and fill it up. At home, we always go the other way, placing one tortilla sheet at the bottom, covering it with meat, vegetables, beans, and cheese, and topping it up with another layer of tortilla bread. So how to make an authentic Mexican quesadilla recipe? Let’s find out!
What ingredients does an authentic Mexican quesadilla recipe include?
You must have heard that making preparing the quesadilla seasoning does not differ much from the taco seasoning. This old saying is true. The reason is that most of the Mexican meals require a few seasonings to spice them up, and hence they do not differ much.
So today, I will share with you the seasonings mix that will allow you to prepare a delicious authentic Mexican quesadilla recipe, be it with chicken, beef, shrimps, or even vegetables.
To prepare the quesadilla seasoning you will have to combine balanced amounts of:
- Paprika
- Cumin powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Dried oregano
- Black pepper
What can I put in a quesadilla?
To stuff the quesadilla, you can choose either chicken, minced meat of meat strips, shrimps or calamari, or vegetables. These ingredients are usually paired with black or red beans, and onions then topped with cheese.
To add the sauces to the quesadilla, you can choose to either brush the tortilla bread with the sauces or serve the sauces aside. Tomato, guacamole sauce, and sour cream are best served with a quesadilla or any other Mexican dish.
What is the best cheese for quesadillas?
Any melting cheese would work. Definitely, Mexican citizens have their preference, but the cheese they use may not be available in other parts of the world.
Mozzarella cheese is a great option to add to quesadilla. Cheddar cheese makes a great choice as well. As for what I usually use, I tend to combine mozzarella and cheddar. I do that, not only for the taste but for the display as well. Nothing is better than an attractive appealing dish to be served.
What are the steps to make a quesadilla?
- To prepare the quesadilla, start first by combining the ingredients of the quesadilla seasonings. Chop the meat and vegetables and then add the seasonings and leave them to marinate for 30 minutes to one hour for the best results.
- Stir fry the meat and vegetables then add them on top of a tortilla bread sheet.
- Cover them with red beans, then add cheese on top.
- Cover the quesadilla with another layer of tortilla bread and bake it at low temperature for 10 minutes until the cheese starts to melt or place it in a skillet over the stove and cover it with a lid but make sure to flip it halfway through.
- If you are a cheese lover and you are not watching your calorie intake, sprinkle cheese on the bottom tortilla layer before adding the meat and vegetables.
- Finally cut and serve!
Corn or flour tortillas for quesadillas?
It is always better to use flour tortillas with a quesadilla. The reason is that with quesadilla, you want a pliable tortilla. Flour tortilla allows you to have soft bread that can be folded while being heated unlike corn tortilla, which is used usually to prepare taco shells.
How to store quesadilla seasoning?
Very simple. Store the quesadilla seasoning in a mason jar or air-tight container. Do not place the jar in the fridge. Just store it in your pantry and they will be totally safe.
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This quesadilla recipe is a well-balanced meal with a wealth of carbs from the tortillas, proteins from the meat, and vitamins from the different ingredients including vegetables.
Ingredients
Quesadillas mix:
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Filling: (see the notes)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ kg chicken, beef, shrimps or vegetables
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- onion chopped in wings
- 1 green, red, and yellow pepper cut in wings
- Mushrooms (optional)
- Corn kernels (optional)
- 1 can of black beans with the veggie filling
- ¼ cup of water with the beef filling
- 1 tbsp tomato paste with the beef or veggie filling
Instructions
- Combine the measured spices in a bowl.
- Stir through to ensure they are well combined.
- Chop the chicken, beef, or vegetables.
- Add them with the garlic and onions to the spices and toss to coat all ingredients.
- Store them in the fridge for an hour.
- Preheat and saucepan and add the olive oil.
- Pour in the marinade and start cooking until they are well done.
- Let cool.
- In a dry skillet or a baking tray, add one tortilla sheet.
- Add sauces or cheese up to your preference.
- Spoon in the quesadilla filling
- Top the filling with shredded cheese
- Cover the quesadilla with another tortilla sheet.
- Cover the skillet with a lid and cook the quesadilla over medium heat flipping it halfway through, or bake in the oven on the middle rack at low temperature.
- Finally cut and serve.
Notes
- If you are making vegetable or beef quesadillas, add 1 tablespoon of tomato paste for a stronger flavor.
- If you are preparing beef quesadilla, add a quarter cup of water while cooking the meat.
- Cool the filling before starting the assembling process.
Nutrition
Calories: 321 kcal per serving | Serving size: 1 quesadilla | Number of servings: 6
Total Fat 9 g | Saturated Fat 1 g | Cholesterol 37 mg | Sodium 880 mg | Potassium 360 mg | Total Carbohydrate 35 g | Dietary Fiber 8 g | Sugars 10 g | Protein 27 g | Vitamin A: 25% | Vitamin C: 6% | Calcium: 8% | Iron: 13%
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
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