My carne asada quesadilla recipe uses leftover carne asada, jalapenos, lots of cheese, and pico de gallo for a flavorful, yet tender steak. Best of all, it only takes 15 minutes from start to finish!

My Favorite Carne Asada Quesadillas

There’s just something about crispy tortillas filled with cheese and savory ingredients. So, when I saw some leftover carne asada in my fridge I just knew I needed to bring that flavor in and make a carne asada quesadilla.

The flavors from the carne asada paired perfectly with the cheese, jalapenos, and my special ingredient, pico de gallo. It just gives the quesadilla such a fresh flavor. And, speaking of cheese, I absolutely love cheese, so these carne asada quesadillas are loaded with it!

I’ve tried making quesadillas in the oven, in the air fryer, and even on the grill, but honestly, nothing beats the skillet. It goes so quickly!

And, if you love using your cast iron skillet, try my recipes for steak fajitas, chicken fajita wraps, hamburger steak, and chicken fried chicken.

What is Carne Asada?

Carne asada usually refers to flank steak or skirt steak that has been marinated, grilled, and thinly sliced. I love the flavor and tender texture it gets from a lime-based marinade with cumin and chili powder. Plus, the leftovers are perfect for quesadillas!

Steak Quesadilla Recipe Ingredients

• Tortillas – I use burrito-sized for that classic folded-over quesadilla feel and to hold all the filling without spilling. I prefer flour tortillas, but whole grain tortillas also work.
• Quesadilla cheese – This melts beautifully and gives the quesadillas that stretchy, cheesy bite I’m always after.
• Carne asada steak – Using pre-cooked steak saves so much time, and the flavor is even better the next day.
• Pico de gallo – It adds freshness and just the right amount of acidity to cut through the richness.
• Pickled jalapeno slices – My husband and I love the zing and heat we get from pickled jalapenos. The kids aren’t brave enough to try them yet, but one of these days!
• Cheddar cheese – This adds a sharper flavor to balance the creaminess of the quesadilla cheese.
• Fresh cilantro – Optional, but I love the earthy flavor it adds.

How to Make a Carne Asada Quesadilla

STEP ONE Spray a large cast-iron skillet with nonstick cooking spray and place over medium heat.

STEP TWO: Place a tortilla in the skillet and cover it with quesadilla or Mexican cheese. Layer half of the tortilla with carne asada, pico de gallo, and a few jalapenos before sprinkling some cheddar cheese and cilantro over the whole thing. 

STEP THREE: Cook the quesadilla for 2 to 3 minutes for the cheese to melt before folding the tortilla in half. Cook the quesadilla for 1 minute, then flip to cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. They are ready to remove when the cheese is melted and the tortilla is golden brown.

STEP FOUR: Remove the quesadilla from the skillet and repeat with the remaining tortillas and ingredients.

Recipe Tips

• Heat the skillet to medium heat first so the tortilla starts crisping and the cheese melts right away. I wait until mine feels hot enough to sizzle.
• I prep my fillings ahead of time so I can build each quesadilla quickly once the pan is hot.
• Don’t overload the tortilla or it’ll be tough to flip. I’ve learned this the hard way.
• I use a pizza cutter to slice the finished quesadilla cleanly. It’s much easier than using a knife!
• I store finished quesadillas in the oven at 200 degrees F to keep them warm while I cook up the rest.
• I don’t add any salt to my quesadillas while they’re cooking. The salt from the cheese and the carne asada is always plenty for me!

Variations and substitutions

• Add black beans to make the quesadilla heartier and add some fiber. I do this when I want to stretch the filling a bit more.
• No steak? No problem! I sometimes swap in chicken or carnitas if that’s what I have on hand.
• I like to toss in sautéed onion or peppers for extra veggies and flavor.
• The carne asada gives the quesadilla plenty of bold flavor, so if I add any seasonings, it’s usually just some black pepper.
• Add avocado slices before folding for a super creamy texture. I was surprised the first time I did this how much I enjoyed warm avocado slices!

What to serve with carne asada quesadillas

My favorite side for carne asada quesadillas is my easy air fryer tortilla chips and some mango habanero salsa and avocado crema!

I also love whipping up fun sides like my air fryer avocado fries, Mexican air fryer sweet potatoes, or Mexican mac and cheese!

Carne Asada Quesadilla FAQs

Can I make a carne asada quesadilla in the air fryer?

The air fryer is great for quesadillas if I’m only making one or two or if I want to prep a side while the quesadillas cook. I preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F, arrange the ingredients just like the stove-top recipe, then cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping when there’s 2-3 minutes left.

How should I store leftovers?

If I have leftover quesadilla slices, I let them cool completely and then store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’re best enjoyed within 2 days.

How should I reheat leftovers?

I reheat my leftover quesadilla slices in a skillet on the stove over medium heat. I flip the slices over a few times so the filling can heat all the way through without burning either side of the tortilla. 

More Easy Steak Recipes

• Steak quesadillas
• Round steak
• Steak sandwich
• Steak bowl
• Air fryer skirt steak