Beef Quesadillas with Guacamole and Salsa (Printable Version)
Flavorful Mexican-inspired quesadillas with seasoned beef, melted cheese, creamy guacamole, and zesty fresh salsa.
# What You Need:
→ Beef Quesadillas
01 - 14 oz ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1.5 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese blend
12 - 8 medium flour tortillas
→ Guacamole
13 - 2 ripe avocados
14 - 1 small tomato, diced
15 - 1/4 small red onion, finely chopped
16 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
17 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
18 - Salt and pepper to taste
→ Salsa
19 - 2 medium tomatoes, diced
20 - 1/4 red onion, finely chopped
21 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
22 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
23 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
24 - Salt and pepper to taste
# How-To Steps:
01 - In a bowl, combine diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
02 - In another bowl, mash the avocados, then stir in tomato, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
03 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, approximately 5-6 minutes.
04 - Add diced red bell pepper, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes until peppers are tender. Remove from heat.
05 - Place a tortilla on a flat surface. Spread a portion of beef mixture over half the tortilla, sprinkle with cheese, and fold in half. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
06 - Heat a clean skillet over medium heat. Cook each quesadilla 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and the cheese is melted. Cut into wedges.
07 - Serve quesadillas hot with guacamole and salsa on the side.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- The combination of crispy tortilla exterior with melty cheese creates that irresistible textural contrast that makes you close your eyes with each bite.
- Making your own guacamole and salsa alongside transforms this from a quick meal into something that feels restaurant-worthy without the fuss or expense.
02 -
- Overcrowding your pan when browning the beef will cause it to steam rather than sear, robbing you of those flavorful caramelized bits that make all the difference.
- Adding a thin layer of cheese directly against both sides of the tortilla creates a moisture barrier that keeps your quesadilla crispy even when filled with juicy beef mixture.
03 -
- Toast your spices in the dry pan for 30 seconds before adding the oil and onions to unlock deeper flavor dimensions that make people wonder what your secret ingredient might be.
- Brush the outside of your tortillas with a whisper of butter instead of oil for a more golden, flavorful crust that shatters perfectly with each bite.