Description
This Carnitas Quesadilla recipe is a quick and delicious way to enjoy tender, flavorful leftover carnitas paired with melted cheddar cheese and fresh salsa, all nestled inside warm, crispy flour tortillas. Perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner, these quesadillas offer a delightful balance of savory meat, gooey cheese, and zesty pico de gallo with minimal prep and cook time.
Ingredients
Scale
Quesadilla Ingredients
- 2 flour tortillas, burrito size
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup leftover carnitas
- 4 tablespoons fresh salsa or pico de gallo, with extra liquid drained
Instructions
- Warm the Carnitas: If your carnitas are cold, place them in a microwave-safe container and heat for about 2 minutes until they are no longer cold. They don’t need to be piping hot, as they will continue to warm on the skillet.
- Heat the Skillet: Warm a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for cooking the quesadillas.
- Assemble the Quesadillas: Evenly sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over two tortillas. Add the warmed carnitas and then top with the drained fresh salsa or pico de gallo, placing these ingredients on one half of each tortilla.
- Cook the Quesadillas: Place one prepared tortilla onto the preheated skillet. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, checking occasionally to ensure the bottom does not burn. The tortillas should turn golden brown and crispy, and the cheese should melt.
- Fold and Serve: Carefully fold the cheese side of the tortilla over the carnitas side using a spatula. Transfer the quesadilla to a cutting board and cut into portions. Repeat the cooking process with the second quesadilla. Serve immediately while warm and melted.
Notes
- Drain extra liquid from the salsa/pico de gallo to prevent soggy quesadillas.
- Use burrito-sized flour tortillas for easy folding and to accommodate the filling.
- Adjust the cooking time depending on your stove’s heat to avoid burning.
- For extra crispiness, add a small amount of oil or butter to the skillet before cooking.
- Leftover carnitas make this recipe convenient and flavorful but fresh cooked carnitas works as well.
