Easy Mexican Grilled Quesadillas Recipe

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

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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, grilled chicken quesadilla recipe, or one with more components, this family favorite is always the perfect party appetizer or a simple supper.

I usually make two big Grilled Quesadillas per customer, cut them into wedges, and serve them with 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 leftovers 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.

I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to share these, but Grilled 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 dinners.

Yes, those were the days that Zoe only ordered cheese quesadillas with lots of cheese when we dined out, 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!

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.

Why I Love Grilled Quesadillas

This simple yet flavorful combination of fruit, vegetables, cheese, chilies, meat, and more is addictive. 

Using just simple ingredients that can be easily found at home or the grocery store, a grilled quesadilla can be thrown together at a moments notice!

Kids love to make this kid-friendly meal which makes for great family bonding time. 

A quesadilla bar is also fun for garme days, parties or potlucks.

Key Ingredients and Substitutions for Grilled Quesadillas

• Flour Tortillas: Use whatever tortillas you prefer and in any size you like. I use the snack size but bigger ones work well also. And don't forget corn tortillas are a great choice, too!
• Butter: Makes the tortilla nice and crispy. 
• Salt: Coarse Salt adds flavor
• Salsa or pesto
• Veggies: Great options include green, yellow, or red bell peppers, corn, red onion, green onions, portobello mushrooms, or zucchini.
• Chilies:I love roasted poblanos, Anaheims, or jalapeno peppers-  pickled or fresh work great. A dash of chili powder can be used as a substitute. 
• Fruit: Mangoes, cantaloupe or even peaches.
• Meat: Chorizo, Italian sausage, Carnitas, hot dogs, or leftover chicken- which can be leftover chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken. 
• Cheese: Any cheese works well. I like cheddar cheese and pepper Jack, and also goat’s cheese.
• Crushed tortilla chips: Give extra crunch! 

How To Grill Quesadillas

• Preheat grill to medium heat. 
• You can grill these in two ways. Both methods work well, but some folks don’t like flippin’!
• The first method is to have your customers pile their ingredients (2-4 T) on one side of the tortilla and the cheese on the other. 
• Place tortilla on the grill, close it, and cook 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. 
• The second way to grill these is to use one tortilla covered with salsa, toppings, and cheese. Close grill so cheese melts.
• 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.
• Remove from grill when cooked and let cool for about a minute. Transfer to a cutting board, cut into wedges with your favorite kitchen scissors when ready to serve. 
• Serve with guacamole or extra salsa for dipping.

Recipe FAQ's

Toppings For Grilled Quesadillas

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 if 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 or roasted 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 cheese? Roasted or braised chicken, beef, or pork adobo are good, as is chorizo. 

One can also easily feast on vegetable quesadillas with refried beans for example.

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

What to Serve with Grilled Quesadillas

Enjoy quesadillas on their own or serve with refried beans and rice and another perfect starter for summer is this Mexican shrimp cocktail! Yummy!

Tips For Making Great Grilled Quesadillas

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 are ready to go.

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!

Grilled quesadillas are a delicious and nutritious option to enjoy for lunch, dinner, or a party. 

They are quick and easy to prepare and the best part is they are kid-friendly too. 

You can adapt the recipe to the ingredients you have on hand making this your own creation. 

Next time you want an amazing and simple meal filled with flavor, be sure to try these tasty grilled quesadillas. 

More Quesadillas

Crispy Mini Cheese Quesadillas – Easy Party Recipe

Cheese Crisp Quesadilla

Waffle Iron Quesadillas

Recipe

Grilled Quesadillas

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review

• Author: Abbe Odenwalder
• Prep Time: 10 Minutes
• Cook Time: 5 Minutes
• Total Time: 15 Minutes
• Yield: 1 Serving
• Category: Main Course/Appetizer
• Method: Grill
• Cuisine: Mexican/American

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Description

Grilled Quesadillas are the prefect family supper and a great way to use leftovers. Kids love them! Plus they are a great party appetizer. They kind of make the party!

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Ingredients

Flour Tortillas or Corn Tortillas - I use the snack size but bigger also work.
Butter - 1-2 t per tortilla
Salt - Coarse Salt for sprinkling
Salsa or pesto - About 1-2 T per tortilla. Don't make it to wet.
Veggies - Your choice. Cooked or not.
Chilies - I love roasted poblanos, Anaheims or jalapenos, pickled or fresh work great.
Fruit - Mangoes or cantaloupe or even peaches.
Meat - Chorizos, Italian sausage, hot dogs, left over chicken, are just a few ideas
Cheese - ¼ to ⅓ c per quesadilla unless you are a cheese lover in which case, add more! Any melting cheese works well. I like cheddar and jalapeno, and also goat's cheese.
Crushed tortilla chips - About 1 T per tortilla

These can also be served with guacamole or extra salsa for dipping into after grilling.

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Instructions

Preheat grill to medium.

Prepare your tortillas by placing a layer of salsa or pesto on the bottom of the tortilla and only on one side, unless you are doing the flipping version-in which case, cover the whole thing.

Add your choice of toppings. about 2 - 4 T total, but this depends on the size of the tortilla being used! Just don't use too much!

Sprinkle on the crushed tortilla chips last, if you are using them. Now sprinkle the cheese on the other half of the tortilla.

Have your creations ready to go. (See notes above).

Place tortillas on grill. Close grill for about 1 minute. Fold the cheese side of the tortilla over to the other side to form a half moon. Press down carefully. Cook until bottom is golden. Flip and cook the other side for a few minutes. Watch carefully so these don't burn.

Remove from grill when cooked and let cool for about a minute. Slice into wedges. Serve with guacamole or extra salsa for dipping.

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Notes

Please read post for lots of ideas!