I’m sharing my take on a delicious steak & cheese quesadilla that features skirt steak seasoned simply with onion powder, salt, and seared in vegetable oil for maximum flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I truly love how quickly this comes together and the irresistible combination of juicy steak with melty cheese tucked into golden tortillas. The simplicity of just a few ingredients—steak, onion powder, salt, oil, and cheese—means I can whip this up any day, and it never disappoints.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
I list everything I need below, though I know you’ll check the recipe card for precise amounts:
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skirt steak, diced or sliced
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vegetable oil
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onion powder
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salt
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flour tortillas
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shredded cheese (I often use Monterey Jack or Mexican‑style blends)
Directions
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I heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium‑high heat.
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I season the skirt steak with onion powder and salt, then add it to the hot oil.
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I cook the steak until it’s nicely seared and cooked through.
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I remove the steak and let it rest briefly, then slice or dice it.
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I wipe out the pan if needed and return it to the heat. I place a tortilla in the pan, layer on cheese, add the steak, more cheese, and fold it up.
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I cook the quesadilla until both sides are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
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I slice it into wedges and serve while hot.
Servings and timing
If the recipe card doesn’t specify, I typically estimate that the recipe makes about 4 quesadillas, enough to serve 2–3 people as a main dish. It takes roughly 5 minutes to prep, about 10–15 minutes to cook the steak and assemble, and 5 minutes to cook the quesadillas—so around 20–25 minutes total.
storage/reheating
I store leftovers wrapped individually or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. To reheat, I warm them in a skillet over medium heat until the tortillas are crisp and the cheese melts. You can also reheat them in the oven at 350 °F for 5–10 minutes or pop them in the toaster oven for a crispy finish—but microwave reheating works, though it may make the tortillas a bit soft.
FAQs
What kind of steak works best?
I usually go for skirt or flank steak—they’re flavorful and tender when sliced against the grain. Sirloin or leftover cooked steak also works fine.
Can I use other cheese types?
Absolutely! I use Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend, but cheddar, pepper‑jack, Oaxaca, or mozzarella all melt well and taste great.
How do I keep the tortillas crisp?
Cooking quesadillas in a skillet with a bit of oil helps. I usually press them gently and cook until golden on each side. A hot oven or toaster oven works too for crisping.
Can I add veggies or spice?
Yes! I often add sautéed onions, peppers, jalapenos, or spices like cumin or chili powder for extra flavor. Garlic powder or paprika work nicely too.
How do I slice the steak for tenderness?
I let the steak rest after cooking, then slice it thinly against the grain—that makes it easier to chew and more tender.
Conclusion
I hope this article captures the simplicity and deliciousness of steak & cheese quesadillas for you. I find it’s a satisfying, flavorful meal that I can throw together quickly and customize easily. Let me know if you’d like to tweak timing, servings, or want a specific variation!
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STEAK & CHEESE QUESADILLAS
Steak & Cheese Quesadillas are a quick and flavorful meal featuring juicy seared steak, melty cheese, and golden tortillas. With just a few simple ingredients, they’re perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or a hearty snack.
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 quesadillas (serves 2–3)
Ingredients
1 lb skirt steak (or flank/sirloin), sliced or diced
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt (or to taste)
4 large flour tortillas
2 cups shredded cheese (Monterey Jack, Mexican blend, or preferred cheese)
Instructions
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season steak with onion powder and salt, then add to skillet.
- Cook steak until seared and cooked through. Remove and let rest, then slice or dice.
- Wipe out skillet if needed. Place a tortilla in the pan, sprinkle cheese, add steak, top with more cheese, then fold.
- Cook quesadilla until golden brown on both sides and cheese is melted.
- Slice into wedges and serve hot.
Notes
- Use skirt or flank steak for best flavor and tenderness, slicing against the grain.
- Experiment with different cheeses like cheddar, pepper-jack, or Oaxaca.
- Add sautéed peppers, onions, or jalapeños for extra flavor.
- Reheat in a skillet, oven, or toaster oven for best crispiness.
- Microwave reheating works but tortillas may soften.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Diet: Halal
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 quesadilla
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 85mg