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A featured image of a cutting board topped with carnitas quesadillas cut into quarters.
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Carnitas Quesadillas

These flavorful carnitas quesadillas are filled with traditional Mexican carnitas, cheese and charred poblano and corn. Tender, juicy carnitas makes these quesadillas all the better and more delicious!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Keyword: carnitas quesadillas, pulled pork quesadillas, quesadillas
Servings: 3 quesadillas
Calories: 383kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 poblano
  • ¼ cup frozen corn
  • 1 cup carnitas
  • 6 corn tortillas
  • 1.5 cups shredded cheese

Instructions

Prep and Cook the Filling

  • Prepare the poblano first, by cutting it from the top stem. Next, remove the sides from the center core.
  • Thinly slice each side and then dice into small pieces. The more even the size, the better it cooks!
  • Heat a skillet on the stove at medium-heat with one teaspoon of oil or spray avocado oil.
  • Add the diced poblano and cook for 3-4 minutes, until slightly softened and charred.
  • Add carnitas and frozen corn to the skillet. Stir to combine and cook through an additional 2 minutes, until the pork mixture is completely warmed through.
  • Remove from heat and keep to the side.

Make the Quesadillas

  • Preheat a large skillet pan on medium-high heat.
  • Spray neutral oil on the pan and place a corn tortilla on top of the pan. (If you don’t have spray oil, use 1 teaspoon of regular oil)
  • Add ¼ cup of shredded cheese and add ½ cup of filling.
  • Top the corn tortilla with another ¼ cup of cheese and the top half of the quesadilla (the second corn tortilla).
  • When the cheese is semi melted and the quesadilla bottom is crispy and browned (about 3-minutes), flip the quesadilla to the other side. If you have issues with the items falling out, try cooking the quesadilla for longer on one side, or carefully use tongs and a spatula to flip.
  • Once the second side is browned (about another 3-minutes), remove from the pan. NOTE: Quesadillas typically take longer at first as your skillet gets hotter. By the second or third quesadilla you may have to turn down the heat to prevent the tortilla from burning.
  • Spray with more spray neutral oil, or regular oil. Repeat with additional quesadillas, following steps 2-6.
  • Once all quesadillas are complete, cut into halves or quarters, sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro, and enjoy while warm!

Notes

Storage directions: keep leftovers (or meal prep) in the refrigerator for up to three days in an airtight container or ziploc bag. Make sure to allow quesadillas to cool completely before moving to the refrigerator.
Reheat directions: Reheat in the oven at 325ºF on a baking sheet for 10 minutes, or until cheese is re-melted and tortilla is crisp. To reheat in a skillet, spray oil on skillet and heat each side for about one minute. You can reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, however the results will be a slightly soggy quesadilla.
Freezing directions: To freeze quesadillas, wrap each quesadilla individually in plastic wrap. Arrange in a layer on a baking sheet and freeze until completely firm. Then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Store in the freezer for up to two months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1quesadilla | Calories: 383kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 507mg | Potassium: 496mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 584IU | Vitamin C: 41mg | Calcium: 345mg | Iron: 2mg