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The Ultimate Guide to Making Delicious Beef Quesadillas

Beef Quesadillas
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Beef Quesadillas are a versatile, quick, and easy meal option that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Packed with savory ground beef, melted cheese, and customizable toppings, these quesadillas are a crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults. Whether you’re using up leftover veggies or whipping up a fresh batch of salsa and avocado dip, this recipe is designed to be fuss-free and delicious. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in some extra nutrients!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Tomato Salsa

  • 2 tomatoes, finely diced
  • ½ bunch coriander (cilantro), roughly chopped
  • ½ red onion, finely diced
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • ½ tsp sea salt flakes

For the Avocado Dip

  • 1 avocado
  • ⅓ cup (80 g) plain yoghurt
  • ½ bunch coriander (cilantro), roughly chopped
  • ½ tsp freshly minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • ½ tsp sea salt flakes
  • ½ tsp cracked black pepper
  • 1–2 tbsp water, to loosen as required

For the Beef Filling

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ red onion, finely diced
  • 1 tsp freshly minced garlic
  • 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) lean minced (ground) beef
  • ½ capsicum (bell pepper), finely diced
  • 2 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp sea salt flakes
  • ½ tsp cracked black pepper
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste (concentrated puree)
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) water

To Assemble

  • 4 large tortillas
  • 1 cup (125 g) freshly grated melting cheese (e.g., colby or cheddar)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Tomato Salsa

In a small bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, chopped coriander, red onion, lime juice, and sea salt flakes. Mix well and set aside. This fresh salsa adds a burst of flavor to your quesadillas.

2. Make the Avocado Dip

Add the avocado, yoghurt, coriander, garlic, lime juice, sea salt flakes, and black pepper to a food processor. Blend until smooth, about 1–2 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon of water at a time, blending after each addition, until you reach your desired consistency. Set aside.

3. Cook the Beef Filling

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-based frying pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Add the minced beef and cook for 3–4 minutes until browned.
  4. Stir in the diced capsicum and cook for another 2 minutes.
  5. Add the sweet paprika, ground cumin, onion powder, dried oregano, sea salt flakes, black pepper, tomato paste, and water. Cook for 2 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated. Set aside to cool slightly.

4. Assemble the Quesadillas

  1. Heat a large, heavy-based frying pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Place one tortilla in the pan and heat for 30 seconds. Flip it over.
  3. Spoon one-quarter of the beef filling onto one half of the tortilla. Top with one-quarter of the grated cheese.
  4. Fold the empty side of the tortilla over to enclose the filling.
  5. Use a spatula to quickly flip the quesadilla and cook for 30 seconds or until crispy.
  6. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.

5. Serve and Enjoy

Allow the quesadillas to cool slightly, then stuff them with the tomato salsa and cut into thirds. Serve with the avocado dip on the side.

Notes

  • Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh herbs, lime juice, and veggies make a world of difference in flavor.
  • Don’t Overfill: Overloading the tortilla can make it difficult to flip and may cause the filling to spill out.
  • Customize the Fillings: Add black beans, corn, or jalapeños for extra flavor and texture.
  • Crispy Tortillas: For extra crispiness, brush the tortillas with a little olive oil before cooking.
  • Kid-Friendly Version: Skip the spices or reduce the amount for a milder flavor that kids will love.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipes.swedishinarabic.net/the-ultimate-guide-to-making-delicious-beef-quesadillas/