Description
This Carnitas Quesadilla recipe is a quick and delicious way to use leftover carnitas, combining warm shredded pork with melted cheddar cheese and fresh salsa inside a crispy flour tortilla. Perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner, it offers a blend of savory and fresh flavors 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, extra liquid drained
Instructions
- Warm the Carnitas: If the leftover carnitas are cold, place them in a microwave-safe container and heat for about 2 minutes until just warm. This ensures the pork will heat through when cooking but doesn’t need to be piping hot at this stage.
- Heat the Skillet: Place a large skillet over medium heat and allow it to warm up fully. This will help crisp up the tortillas evenly without burning.
- Assemble the Quesadillas: Lay out the two tortillas and evenly sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over each. On one half of each tortilla, spread the warm carnitas and then spoon the drained fresh salsa on top of the meat.
- Cook the Quesadillas: Place one assembled tortilla in the hot skillet, cover with a lid, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Check frequently to prevent burning and to allow the cheese to melt while the tortilla crisps.
- Fold and Serve: When the bottom is golden brown and the cheese melted, use a spatula to fold the cheese half over the carnitas half. Transfer the quesadilla carefully to a cutting board, slice it into portions, and serve immediately. Repeat the process with the second quesadilla.
Notes
- Drain excess liquid from salsa to prevent soggy quesadillas.
- Use medium heat to avoid burning the tortilla before the cheese melts.
- Leftover carnitas can be warmed on stovetop if preferred instead of microwave.
- For extra crispiness, press down slightly on the quesadilla while cooking.
