These Grilled Quesadillas are sure to become the new southwestern BBQ recipe sensation!
Is it a pizza or a quesadilla? This recipe makes dramatic-looking and delicious quesadillas right on top of the grill! Get the flavors of old Mexico from the backyard. Why drive through Taco Bell or wait in line at Chipotle when it’s so easy to make healthy quesadillas loaded with all kinds of tasty ingredients and nutrition right at home. Anyone can make these, and it’s super fun to let guests customize, then bring their creations to the grill.
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Our Fave Grilled Quesadillas
- Grilled quesadillas 3-ways include a protein-based, veggie-based, and even a fancy apple-cheddar version with a fresh herb garnish!
- Quesadillas are like southwest personal pizzas, loaded with delicious ingredients held together by all kinds of melty, gooey cheese!
- Grilled outdoors or inside with a countertop George Foreman grill, grilled quesadillas are a fun and inexpensive appetizer or main dish for a crowd! Don’t forget the bowls of salsa, guacamole, and sour cream!
Grilled Quesadillas Ingredients
TORTILLAS: Flour tortillas come in multiple sizes so grilled quesadillas can be ‘personal pan-sized’ or extra grande! Flour tortillas are sturdy enough to hold the ingredients and cook up a little crispy on the outside!
MEATS: Ham can be cut into pieces as thin or thick s desired, and experiment with different varieties of ham, too! Black forest, honey ham, or maple.
FRUITS & VEGETABLES: Chock full of healthy veggies, these quesadillas are a great way to use up those little bits of leftovers! This menu for three kinds of quesadillas uses jalapeno, avocado, and arugula. And a granny smith apple is a perfect taste match for cheddar and mozzarella!
CHEESES: Super melty, creamy cheese is the ‘glue’ that binds everything together! Full fat and full-flavored cheeses like mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan are what give quesadillas their unique appearance and flavor! Other cheeses that melt well are Monterey jack, pepper jack, and cotija.
ADD SOME MORE GOOD STUFF: Make a Southwest quesadilla DIY buffet from the freezer! Use up leftover fruits, veggies, and meats that can be thawed out and used up! Got leftover chicken, steak, salmon, or even shrimp? Add it to the menu!
VEGETARIAN: Veggie lovers can build a delicious quesadilla with lots of cheese, black beans, avocado, shredded lettuce, olives, and some sliced jalapeno!
DESSERT: Used fresh or frozen fruit to make a dessert quesadilla! Simply mix sliced or chopped fruit with a mixture of ricotta cheese and a dash of honey, some mozzarella cheese and grill!
How to Make Grilled Quesadillas
Gather around the BBQ grill for some good conversation and food, with this simple and fun dinner!
- For each recipe, layer the ingredients in order and top with the other shell.
- Transfer prepared quesadilla to the preheated grill and cook until the bottom is golden brown. Flip over and repeat (as per the recipe below)
- Cool and cut into pieces, garnish as desired.
Tips for Cooking Quesadillas
- Using one tortilla, layer ingredients on one half, fold over and grill as directed.
- Fold aluminum foil over a stack of quesadillas and keep the in a warm oven until ready to serve.
- Avoid overfilling quesadillas so the melted cheese keeps them together.
- This recipe works best with corn tortillas!
Celebrate More of the Flavors of Mexico!
- Chicken Taco Soup – only 5 minutes to prep!
- Mexican Street Corn (Elote) – salty, sweet, and spicy
- Fresh Guacamole With Tomatoes – smooth and delicious
- Mexican Lasagna – so simple to make!
- Easy Homemade Guacamole – delicious for dipping.
Grilled Quesadillas, Three Ways!
Equipment
Ingredients
Ham Quesadilla
- 2 tortilla shells large size
- ½ cup parmesan cheese shredded
- 4-5 slices ham your favorite, cut into pieces
- ¼ cup sliced jalapenos or to taste (pickled or fresh)
- ⅔-1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- salt and freshly ground black pepper optional, to taste
Avocado Quesadilla
- 2 tortilla shells large size
- 1 avocado sliced
- 1 large handful arugula stems removed (or baby arugula)
- ⅓ cup parmesan cheese shredded
- ⅔-1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- salt and freshly ground black pepper optional, to taste
Apple Cheddar Quesadilla
- 2 tortilla shells large size
- 1 cup old cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 granny smith apple or other tart apple, thinly sliced
- 1 Tablespoon fresh rosemary chopped
- ⅔ cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- salt and freshly ground black pepper optional, to taste
Optional Garnishes
- parsley or cilantro
- salsa or hot sauce
- sour cream
- guacamole
Instructions
- Preheat barbecue grill to 350°F (medium heat) on one side only (direct heat).
- For each quesadilla, lay one tortilla shell* on a cutting board or baking tray.
- Layer ingredients in the order listed and top with a second tortilla shell.
- Working with one quesadilla at a time, carefully place filled quesadilla on direct heat for about 90 seconds, or until the bottom is golden brown.
- Using a pizza peel, or a large spatula, flip and move quesadilla to indirect heat size of the grill. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted.
- Using a pizza peel, or a large spatula, move quesadilla to direct heat size of the grill and cook 60-90 seconds, or until the bottom is golden brown.
- Cool on a rack (to keep crispy) for 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into pieces using a pizza cutter or very sharp knife.
- Sprinkle with parsley and serve with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole if desired.
Notes
*Another option is to lay out two tortilla shells, and fill half of each of the two tortilla shells with the toppings. Fold in half and grill as directed.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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