Grilled Quesadillas

Grilled Quesadillas are always a favorite. Whether served as an appetizer or for a family supper, these quesadillas are a people pleaser!

Grilled quesadillas are one of my favorite summer foods.

I love grilled bread and grilled tortillas are part of that equation.

Whether you want to  make a simple cheese quesadilla or  one with more components, this family favorite is always the perfect party appetizer or a simple supper.

I usually make two big ones to a customer, cut them into wedges, and serve them with some grilled salsa, guacamole, and sour cream on the side.

Add a simple salad and my customers are sure to leave happy.

The best part about making this simple meal is that one can use almost any leftover in the fridge.

In this case I had some leftover roasted potatoes, and a bit of corn, which totally makes a perfect quesadilla when you add cheese.

What kind of cheese works well on a quesadilla?

Any cheese that is a good melting cheese, such as  mild Cheddar, Muenster, Gruyere, Fontina, and Monterey Jack.

What toppings are good on a quesadilla?

Honestly, almost anything! 

I usually begin with a thin layer of my favorite salsa. No too much though because you don’t want a soggy quesadilla.

Pesto is another option is you don’t want salsa. Yes, it jazzes a quesadilla right up!

Veggies are awesome. Roasted peppers like poblanos or green chiles are perfect as are roasted red peppers. And don’t forget sauteed mushrooms.

Onions, grilled or not, taste great as does a simple sprinkle of scallions. Sometimes I grill big scallions to make my own cebollitas to serve on the side.

Don’t forget roasted potatoes or grilled corn-so good!

Proteins besides the cheese? Roasted or braised chicken, beef or pork are good, as is chorizo, but one can easily feast on a vegetarian quesadilla.

Mangoes and pineapple are really amazing also and add some goat cheese for a gourmet experience. I’m getting hungry now!

Usually I set up a quesadilla bar and allow my “customers” to build their own. Kids love this!

And hey! Don’t forget the hotdogs. Perfect on a kiddie quesadilla!

Another thing that is quite tasty is adding leftover or stale tortilla chips that have been crushed to your ingredients. These give a nice flavor and some extra added crunch. Try it!

Paper plates came in handy to keep their creations on, until they are ready to fire on the grill. For parties, this is also easily done and trust me when I say these disappear faster than tres leches chocolate cake.

How to Grill a Quesadilla

You can grill these in two ways.

Have your customer’s pile their ingredients on one side of the tortilla and the cheese on the other. Place on the grill, close it, and cook for about a minute. Then fold  the cheese half to the other side. Press down gently and the cheese will hold everything together.

Let the grill side brown and then flip and give the other side a few grill marks too. Be careful not to overload with toppings and cheese or it will ooze out. Better to make a few more if you are starving!

The second way to grill these is to use one tortilla covered with salsa, toppings and cheese. Close the grill to melt the cheese.

After a minute or so, place a salted and buttered tortilla with buttered side out on top of the tortilla on the grill. Press down and let cook a minute or so and then carefully flip the entire tortilla over and grill that side.

Both methods work well, but some folks don’t like flippin’! Cut into wedges with your favorite kitchen scissors when ready to serve.

A Few Extra Tips:

A few things I do…I always butter at least one side of the tortilla and then salt it.  So much extra flavor that way! Then stack them-when buttered they peel right off and they are ready to go.

I grill over medium high heat, but watch carefully, because while it is OK to get some scorch marks, you don’t want to burn your bread!

Leftovers, if there are any, can easily be  reheated in a toaster oven for a few minutes.

Have a quesadilla party!

Quesadillas make dinner a party. Have fun with it.

Give prizes for the best creations! I’d love to know your faves.

My fave is grilled corn, chorizo, poblanos or green chilies, some leftover roasted potatoes, salsa or cilantro pesto, some cheese – either cheddar or jalapeno or goat’s cheese and a sprinkle of crushed chips.

I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to share these, but quesadillas are a family favorite. When the kids were still at home-and I must say I miss those days; especially the summer days-I often made these dinner.

Yes, those were the days that Zoe only ordered cheese quesadillas in restaurants and though I’m sure she still does, I know her palate has greatly expanded.

However most restaurants don’t do grilled quesadillas and in my humble opinion that is what makes these so good!

Treat yourselves to one of these and check out all my Mexican recipes!

Need A Few More?

Cheese Quesadillas for a Party

Arizona Cheese Crisp Quesadilla

Waffle Iron Quesadilla

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