Description
This Carnitas Quesadilla recipe features crispy pork carnitas combined with melty colby jack cheese, black beans, and a buttery, golden flour tortilla. Served with sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, shredded lettuce, and corn salsa, it’s a flavorful and satisfying Mexican-inspired dish perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Main Filling
- 1⅓ cups pork carnitas
- 1/2 cup black beans (drained and rinsed)
Cheese and Tortillas
- 1 cup shredded colby jack cheese
- 2 large flour tortillas (burrito size)
Cooking Fats
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Serving Accompaniments
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Pico de gallo
- Shredded lettuce
- Corn salsa
Instructions
- Heat the Oil and Crisp Carnitas: Heat the vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the pork carnitas and cook without stirring for 2-3 minutes, allowing the bottom to crisp up. The carnitas do not need to be fully heated through at this stage as they will continue warming during quesadilla cooking.
- Prepare the Skillet for Quesadilla: Remove the carnitas from the skillet and reduce the heat to medium. Add half of the butter to the skillet and let it melt completely, swirling the pan to coat the entire surface. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of shredded colby jack cheese evenly over the melted butter.
- Assemble and Cook the First Quesadilla: Place one tortilla on top of the cheese and butter layer in the skillet. Evenly spread half of the remaining cheese, half the black beans, and half the carnitas over the tortilla. Cook for 5-6 minutes or until the cheese melts and the bottom of the tortilla turns golden brown. Fold the quesadilla in half and remove it from the skillet.
- Cook the Second Quesadilla: Repeat the process with the second tortilla, using the remaining cheese, black beans, and carnitas. Cook until the cheese melts and the tortilla is golden brown.
- Serve and Garnish: Cut each quesadilla in half with a knife and serve warm. Accompany with sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, shredded lettuce, and corn salsa as desired for dipping and garnish.
Notes
- Sprinkling a little cheese in the skillet before adding the tortilla helps prevent sticking and adds flavor.
- Using burrito-size flour tortillas ensures ample filling and an easy fold.
- For crispier carnitas, do not stir while they cook initially to allow a crust to form.
- Adjust the amount of black beans or skip them if preferred.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: Carnitas Quesadilla, pork quesadilla, Mexican quesadilla recipe, cheesy quesadilla, black beans quesadilla, easy Mexican dinner
