Steak Quesadilla Recipe

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Our Steak Quesadilla Recipe is a delicious and easy way to use up leftover steak. This recipe takes tender and juicy steak and combines it with peppers and onions for a flavorful and filling meal. The melted cheese and crispy tortilla make this dish the perfect comfort food that is sure to satisfy your cravings. Whether you’re cooking for a quick weeknight dinner or after-school snack, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone asking for seconds!

It’s one of the easiest Mexican-style dinners for any steak lover. If we aren’t whipping up a batch of Steak Nachos then we are flipping these loaded steak quesadillas. Your family won’t even know they are eating leftovers!

For more family favorites, you’ll like Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas, Oven Baked Chicken Thighs and Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies.

Table of Contents

Homemade Steak Quesadillas

This recipe for steak quesadillas is similar to our Canned Chicken Quesadilla and Taco Quesadilla but takes it up a notch by featuring fajita style vegetables. The flavors of the sauteed peppers and onions shine through with each bite.

Quesadillas are a great option for meals during the week. They are quick, easy and kid friendly. Even the pickiest of eaters love when they hit the dinner table.

Best of all, you can serve as is or paired with your family’s favorite side dishes!

Keep reading for directions on how to make quesadillas on the stove, the best cheese for a quesadilla, and of course a long list of delicious topping ideas.

To get started, gather the equipment and ingredients then follow the written instructions or printable recipe card. Enjoy!

onion, bell pepper, cooking spray, shredded cheese and gluten free tortillas displayed

Equipment

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 green pepper diced
1 medium onion diced
8 ounces cooked steak ✅ diced
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese ✅
4 gluten-free tortillas

Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.

steak added to skillet with sauteed peppers and onions

How To Make

Heat the olive oil in a skillet then add the onions and peppers. Cook until softened. Add the cooked steak.

sauteed peppers, onions and thin steak in pan

tortilla in skillet topped with sauteed onions, peppers and steak

Heat the quesadilla

Spray another skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Place a tortilla into the pan. Place half of the steak mixture onto the tortilla then sprinkle with half of the cheese.

Place another tortilla on top and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Cook for 3 minutes. Carefully flip then cook an additional 3 minutes.

Serve

Cut the quesadillas with a pizza cutter into wedges and serve hot.

tortilla in skillet topped with shredded cheese and sauteed peppers, onions, steak

tortilla sprayed with cooking spray in pan

What to Serve with Quesadillas

Try serving with all your favorite Mexican-style dishes to make this a 5-star meal. Everything from Crockpot Refried Beans and Instant Pot Mexican Rice to Canned Corn Salad and homemade guacamole goes great with steak quesadillas.

You also always have the option to keep things simple and serve as a stand along entree. If feeding big appetites, stuff extra cheese or steak into the tortillas to leave everyone feeling satisfied after the meal.

Quesadilla Toppings

We have said it before and we will say it again, there is nothing better than the toppings. From tacos and burritos to tostadas and quesadillas, we love to feature a wide variety of toppings to let everyone customize the meal to their liking.

Consider any or all of these topping ideas the next time you dish up these crispy steak quesadillas!

Sour cream
Salsa
Pico de Gallo
Guacamole
Shredded lettuce
Tomatoes
Black olives
Green chilies
Diced poblano peppers
Jalapenos
Avocado slices

top down view of stuffed tortilla in pan

quesadilla sliced into four wedges on cutting board

Storing Steak Quesadillas

In the fridge: Store for 1-2 days if made with leftover steak for up to 4 days if made with fresh steak in a covered container.

In the freezer: Wrap whole quesadillas or individual wedges in plastic wrap then place in a large freezer Ziploc bag to prevent freezer burn. Store up to 3 months.

Reheating Instructions

Stovetop: Place a whole quesadilla or individual wedges into a hot skillet over low heat for 5-7 minutes or until warmed through.

Oven: Place a single or multiple quesadillas into a preheated 325 degree oven for 10-12 minutes or until crispy.

Microwave: Add individual wedges to a microwave safe plate to heat in 30-second increments until hot. Be mindful that this reheating method may cause the wedges to be soggy.

Air Fryer: Place individual wedges or a whole quesadilla into an air fryer for 3-5 minutes or until crispy.

Tips for Making Quesadillas

Stick with a single cheese or combine a variety for a different flavor profile. You can also season cheese with 1-2 tablespoons of taco seasoning to further elevate the flavors.
More quesadilla ideas include shredded chicken, roasted vegetable, ground beef, pulled pork or a mixture of proteins. Steak and chicken quesadillas are especially tasty.
If making steak at the same time as the quesadillas, you can follow the step-by-step instructions in our Sirloin Steak in Oven, Broiled Flank Steak or Thin Steak recipes. Both result in juicy, tender steak that can easily be diced for quesadillas.
Omit the sauteed peppers and onions to create a steak and cheese quesadilla if looking to further simplify this recipe. The peppers and onions can also be served on the side or as a topping if you have picky eaters that are hesitant to try the vegetables stuffed in the tortilla.
Make an easy homemade quesadilla sauce by mixing 1/2 cup of sour cream with 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning then dipping or drizzling the wedges.
Use a large enough skillet to accommodate the size of the tortillas. The tortilla should lay flat on the bottom of the skillet leaving enough room for a spatula to fit underneath to make flipping easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to season steak for quesadillas?

If using leftover steak that was already seasoned then you are good to go, no additional seasoning is required! For unseasoned steak, pick any steak seasoning blend or taco seasoning packet.

What kind of cheese for quesadillas?

Monterey jack is a kid favorite, which can be swapped for mozzarella, Colby jack, pepper jack or a Mexican-style cheese such as queso fresco.

What kind of steak for quesadillas?

You can use whatever leftover steak you prepared the day before. If making steak at the same time, opt for flank or skirt steak as these cuts cook quickly and slice easily.

Kids In The Kitchen

Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.

Find a large flipper when making quesadillas to keep all the ingredients inside the tortillas when flipped.
The longer you keep the quesadillas on the stovetop, the crispier each side will be. Cook for 3 minutes then take a peek at the tortilla. If crispy, it is time to flip.
Always dice or slice the steak for quesadillas to make it easier to chew and reheat to the proper temperature.

Steak Recipes To Try

More Easy Leftover Recipes

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

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