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    Home » Beef

    Leftover Steak Quesadilla (Taqueria and Fajita Style)

    Published: Sep 8, 2017 · Modified: Jul 14, 2023 by Diana Reis · This post may contain affiliate links

    ↓ Jump to Recipe

    Use those precious steak leftovers to put together delicious steak quesadillas filled with melty cheese, thin strips of meat, and delicious extras. 

    slices of leftover quesadillas on fanned out on a black plate with sour cream

    A leftover steak is the perfect excuse for  steak quesadillas. It makes perfect sense, because you can't just waste a good steak, but it is also not that appetizing to warm up an already cooked steak. A whole steak has to be cooked and eaten fresh and hot.

    Contents hide
    Why I Love a Good Leftover Makeover
    Ingredients
    How to Make Leftover Steak Quesadillas
    FAQs
    Diana’s Tips for Success
    Storage and Reheating
    Related Recipes
    📖 Recipe
    Leftover Steak Quesadillas
    Taqueria Style Quesadilla
    Fajita Style Quesadilla

    Why I Love a Good Leftover Makeover

    Once a steak cools down, then it is officially a leftover. A leftover steak must be transformed, re-imagined, reborn so to speak into a new equally beautiful but totally unique creation.

     So the steak quesadilla is born in all of its crunchy, cheesy, beef filled goodness.

     When you put that tiny dollop of sour cream on each bite as you eat it, your mouth sings with the glory that is appetizers for a meal.

    There are two fillings for my steak quesadillas. Taqueria style with cheese, guacamole, and steak. Also, fajita style with cheese, steak, and fajita vegetables.

    This is an easy dinner with simple ingredients. These leftover quesadillas use up leftovers, stretch a buck, and satisfy the whole family.

    Ingredients

    leftover steak quesadilla ingredients and toppings

    Leftover Steak- You can use almost any leftover steak. I show New York steak cooked to medium. This recipe can be made with other cuts like skirt steak, flank steak, Tri tip, or ribeye.

    Flour Tortillas-Choose a good quality flour tortilla in a large size. 

    Cheese- Use any cheese that can be shredded and melts well. Monterey Jack, Mild Cheddar cheese, Queso Chihuahua, Queso Oaxaca, or your favorite cheese will be fantastic.

    Steak Quesadilla Toppings

    • Pico de Gallo
    • Guacamole
    • Salsa
    • Sour Cream
    • Fresh Cilantro
    • ​Jalapeno peppers 

    How to Make Leftover Steak Quesadillas

    • Start by grating your choice of cheese and assembling your filling ingredients. 
    • Slice the steak into very thin strips going against the grain. Remove any large pieces of fat or gristle.
    • Heat a large skillet on medium heat. Place a tortilla down flat in the hot pan. 
    sliced steak on a cutting board

    Taqueria Style Quesadilla

    • Spread creamy guacamole over half of the tortilla.
    • Sprinkle a generous portion of shredded cheese over the whole tortilla. 
    • Add sliced steak over half of the tortilla in a single layer. 
    taqueria style fajita open on a hot pan

    Fajita Steak Quesadillas

    • Sauté sliced bell peppers and yellow onions in olive oil with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
    • Sprinkle a generous portion of shredded cheese over the whole tortilla. 
    • Add sliced steak and sautéed fajita vegetables over half of the tortilla in a single layer. 
    steak fajita quesadilla open in a pan
    • Fold in half and cook the first side until golden brown, approximately 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook the second side until brown and the cheese melts
    • Remove from the pan, and place on a cutting board. Repeat the process with the remaining tortillas and filling.
    • Cut cooked quesadillas into wedges.
    • Serve with your favorite steak quesadilla toppings.

    FAQs

    What is the Best Cheese for a Steak Quesadilla?

    Using a mild Mexican cheese like Queso Chihuahua is authentic and delicious. However, you can use a variety of cheeses for a delicious result. Monterey Jack is a common substitute for queso chihuahua. Mild cheddar, queso Oaxaca, or a shredded Mexican blend are good options as well. 

    Diana’s Tips for Success

    Grate cheese from a block to get the best melted cheese pull! 

    Slice steak when it is cold to make sure you can get very thin slices! Thin slices will warm completely while the quesadilla is cooking.

    Storage and Reheating

    Steak quesadillas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days from the day the steak was cooked.

    Reheat by warming a pan on medium-low heat and placing the quesadillas in the pan until they are warmed through the center.

    stack of steak quesadilla wedges on a black plate

    Related Recipes

    • 52 Leftovers Recipes to Reduce Food Waste
    • Texas Fajitas
    • Tri Tip Sandwiches
    • Peanut Butter Burger with Bacon

    Stay in the Know! Follow Delicious by Design on Facebook for new recipes and cooking tips! Love this recipe? Leave a 5 Star Review!

    📖 Recipe

    square featured image of quesadillas stacked on plate

    Leftover Steak Quesadillas

    These steak quesadillas are a super easy leftover makeover with gooey cheese, tangy guacamole, and the perfect crunch.
    4.74 from 26 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Main Dish, Snacks
    Cuisine: American, Mexican
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 Quesadillas
    Calories: 692kcal
    Author: Diana Reis

    Equipment

    • 1 Large Pan

    Ingredients

    • ½ Pound Cooked Steak leftover piece chilled from fridge
    • 4 Large Flour Tortillas burrito size or larger
    • 1 Pound Monterey Jack Cheese grated
    • ½ Cup Guacamole
    • Bell Peppers sautéed
    • Yellow Onions sautéed

    Instructions

    • Start by grating your choice of cheese and assembling your filling ingredients.
    • Slice the steak into very thin strips going against the grain. Remove any large pieces of fat or gristle.
    • Heat a large skillet on medium heat. Place a tortilla down flat in the hot pan.

    Taqueria Style Quesadilla

    • Spread creamy guacamole over half of the tortilla.
    • Sprinkle a generous portion of shredded cheese over the whole tortilla. Add sliced steak over half of the tortilla in a single layer. 

    Fajita Style Quesadilla

    • Sauté sliced bell peppers and yellow onions in olive oil with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Sprinkle a generous portion of shredded cheese over the whole tortilla. 
    • Sprinkle a generous portion of shredded cheese over the whole tortilla. Add sliced steak and sautéed fajita veggies over half of the tortilla in a single layer. 
    • Fold in half and cook the first side until golden brown, approximately 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook the second side until brown and the cheese melts.
    • Remove from the pan, and place on a cutting board. Repeat the process with the remaining tortillas and filling.
    • Cut cooked quesadillas into wedges.
    • Serve with your favorite steak quesadilla toppings.

    Notes

    What is the Best Cheese for a Steak Quesadilla?
    Using a mild Mexican cheese like Queso Chihuahua is authentic and delicious. However, you can use a variety of cheeses for a delicious result. Monterey Jack is a common substitute for queso chihuahua. Mild cheddar, queso Oaxaca, or a shredded Mexican blend are good options as well. 
    Diana’s Tips for Success
    • Grate cheese from a block to get the best melted cheese pull! 
    • Slice steak when it is cold to make sure you can get very thin slices! Thin slices will warm completely while the quesadilla is cooking.
    Storage and Reheating
    Steak quesadillas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days from the day the steak was cooked.
    Reheat by warming a pan on medium-low heat and placing the quesadillas in the pan until they are warmed through the center.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 692kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 50g | Saturated Fat: 27g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 146mg | Sodium: 933mg | Potassium: 458mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 918IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 907mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @DianDeliciousB or tag #DeliciousByDesign!

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    Comments

      4.74 from 26 votes (18 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Gloria says

      November 22, 2020 at 2:40 am

      5 stars
      D

      Reply
    2. Dustin says

      December 02, 2020 at 2:30 am

      5 stars
      Thanks for sharing this amazing information it will be really helpful for me.

      Reply
    3. Paula says

      December 27, 2022 at 3:43 pm

      5 stars
      Very easy, quick and… very yummy!

      Reply
    4. Kathleen says

      July 14, 2023 at 9:48 pm

      5 stars
      I am a huge fan of making fabulous dishes with leftovers. This quesadilla is a marvelous use of leftover steak, and I can't wait to make one.

      Reply
    5. Anjali says

      July 14, 2023 at 10:22 pm

      5 stars
      Love this idea for using leftover steak!! These quesadillas were super easy to make and were the perfect quick dinner for our family tonight!

      Reply
    6. Gina says

      July 14, 2023 at 11:01 pm

      5 stars
      This was the perfect use for our left-over steak! Quick and easy to make and so very tasty!

      Reply
    7. Erik says

      July 14, 2023 at 11:51 pm

      5 stars
      Leftovers are huge part of life here, so this was perfect! So easy to make and very tasty.

      Reply
    8. Gina Abernathy says

      July 15, 2023 at 3:05 am

      5 stars
      Made these last night for dinner with out leftover steak and they were so delish! So easy and so tasty. Everyone loved this dish and I plan to make it again next weekend.

      Reply
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