Steak Quesadillas or Quesadilla de Bistec

These homemade Steak Quesadillas are truly mouthwatering as they combine the savory flavors of seasoned steak, melted cheese, and other tasty ingredients like green pepper and onion, all wrapped in a warm tortilla. Best of all, they are ready in less than 30 minutes.

Serve these Steak Quesadillas (also known as Quesadilla de Bistec) with your favorite side dishes and sauces or salsas for an Authentic Mexican Food Recipe for dinner or lunch.

What are Quesadillas?

What are they? Amazing! You will never guess how easy, versatile and delicious this simple little dish is.

Quesadillas are an authentic Mexican dish that has become very popular in the Southwest and has spread to take over the entire United States. You can find them on restaurant menus everywhere.

The basic quesadilla is a grilled or toasted tortilla placed on the grill (or skillet) and sprinkled with cheese (open faced). When the tortilla is browned and cheese is melted, fold the tortilla in half over itself making a half moon shape and toasted to your desire.

Here comes the fun part! While the cheese is melting and the tortilla is open, add any additional yummy ingredients like diced green chiles, sautéd onion and peppers, shredded chicken... the sky is the limit, even Slow Cooker Duck Confit Quesadillas! My favorite filling is a tender steak recipe for these hearty Steak Quesadillas.

Leftovers! Don't forget that you can fill quesadillas with leftover chicken, beef, shredded pork, beans, corn salsa or anything you have on hand for a super easy meal.

Looking for a quick dessert? Check out our Peach Quesadillas Recipe.

Ingredients to make Steak Quesadillas

• Olive oil: We used it twice, to marinate the steak and then to sauté the veggies.
• Smoked paprika: It adds a hint of smokiness to the seasoning.
• Chili powder: It brings mild heat and classic Tex-Mex flavor.
• Ground cumin: It adds warmth and contributes to the Mexican taste.
• Salt and black pepper: They enhance all the flavors throughout the recipe.
• Sirloin steak: A tender, flavorful cut that cooks quickly and works perfectly for quesadillas.
• Onion: Adds sweetness and savory flavor when sautéed.
• Garlic: Boosts flavor and aroma in the vegetable mixture.
• Green bell pepper: Adds freshness, color, and slight crunch.
• Adobo sauce: Adds huge flavor and smokiness to the recipe, don't omit it!
• Mozzarella cheese: It melts beautifully, creating a creamy, stretchy filling.
• Flour tortillas: They're soft and sturdy, perfect for folding and pan-toasting. 
• Butter: It helps the tortillas turn golden and crispy when cooking.
• Lime juice: Provides a refreshing touch just before serving.
• Garnish steak quesadillas with a great salsa recipe, sour cream, guacamole or all three!

How to make Steak Quesadillas at home:

Mix 2 tablespoon of olive oil, smoked paprika, chili powder, ground cumin, ½ teaspoon salt, black pepper, and adobo sauce into a bowl. Then, add sirloin steak and toss to coat. Cover it with plastic paper and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.

In the meantime, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil into a skillet and place it over medium heat. Incorporate sliced green bell pepper and sliced onion, then add ½ teaspoon of salt. Sauté for 8 minutes, stirring regularly until soft. Once the onion is translucent, add minced garlic and stir for a minute. Remove from heat.

Cook the marinated steak in an iron-cast skillet over medium heat. Sear the meat from both sides for 2-3 minutes and cook until the desired meat doneness. I like to cook my meat medium or medium well, which is an internal temperature of around 140 degrees F. Before making the quesadillas, chop the meat into bite-sized pieces, slicing the steak against the grain. This ensures that the meat is tender and easy to bite into. Also, allow the steak to rest for a few minutes before slicing. This helps retain juices and ensures a juicy and tender filling for your quesadillas.

Prepare your quesadillas by adding shredded mozzarella, sauteed veggies, and thin strips of steak to the flour tortillas. Then, add some butter into a preheated skillet, place the filled tortilla in the pan, and fold it in half. Cook until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is golden brown, usually 2-3 minutes per side.

For added freshness and flavor, serve the beef steak quesadillas with your favorite toppings, such as salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or chopped cilantro.

What Steak is best for quesadillas?

For the best steak quesadillas, buy any tender cuts that cook quickly. Sirloin is a great option because it’s flavorful, reasonably priced, and stays juicy when cooked properly. Ribeye is another excellent choice if you want something richer, while flank steak works well as long as it’s sliced thinly against the grain. No matter the cut, marinating the steak and letting it rest before slicing makes a big difference in tenderness.

What to serve with Steak Quesadillas?

Steak quesadillas are pretty rich on their own, so I like to keep the sides simple and fresh. Salsa, guacamole, and sour cream are always a win and add just the right balance.

If you’re serving them as a meal, Mexican-style rice, black beans, refried beans, or even a simple green salad all work really well.

Finish everything off with a squeeze of lime and a little chopped cilantro to brighten it up.

What cheese for Steak Quesadillas recipe?

When it comes to cheese, you really want something that melts well. Mozzarella is great if you like a mild flavor and that stretchy pull, but Monterey Jack, Oaxaca cheese, or a Mexican blend all work just as nicely. One small tip that makes a big difference: shred the cheese yourself so it melts smoothly and evenly without getting greasy.

Tools I Used for Making This Recipe

Making a steak quesadilla doesn't take any special tools, just a skillet or griddle and a sharp knife. Here are the Amazon links to the tools I used for this recipe.

You will need:

Chef's knife. The tool I use the most is an 8 inch Wusthof knife. I use it because I am used to the feel of it in my hand. When you choose a knife, choose one that feels balanced in your hand and has a comfortable handle.

10 or 12 inch Skillet or griddle- I used a skillet.

Quesadilla Maker makes a great gift. Pair it with a Quesadilla Cookbook to make a fun birthday or bridal shower gift.