Ground Turkey Quesadillas are a quick 30-minute meal. They are loaded with melty cheese, onion, bell peppers, black beans, corn, and perfectly seasoned ground turkey. These quesadillas are anything but boring.
These ground turkey quesadillas are full of flavor. The turkey meat is seasoned with a blend of spices that bring a savory depth, while the bell peppers, onions, black beans, and corn add layers of texture and taste.
Whether you need a quick meal on a busy weeknight or something effortless yet delicious, these quesadillas are the answer. They come together in just 30 minutes, making them a go-to for hectic days.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Olive Oil: Use 2 tablespoons to cook the ground turkey, which helps prevent it from sticking to the pan and keeps the meat juicy. Another 2 tablespoons will be used to crisp up the quesadillas for that golden, crunchy exterior we all love. You can also use butter for more of a savory taste or a neutral oil like vegetable oil.
- Ground Turkey: Use 94% lean ground turkey instead of the ultra-lean 99% version. The slight amount of extra fat helps the meat to stay tender and flavorful, not dry.
- Onion: Use white onion for a mild, slightly sweet flavor, but red onion can be used as a substitution if you prefer a sharper, more pungent taste.
- Red Bell Pepper: This adds sweetness and color to your quesadillas. Feel free to switch it up with orange, yellow, or green peppers, depending on what you have on hand.
- Canned Black Beans: Use about half a can of black beans, drained and rinsed. You can also use pinto beans, kidney beans, or refried beans for a slightly different texture and flavor.
- Canned Corn: Half a can of corn kernels adds a pop of sweetness and crunch. You can use fresh or frozen corn, too-adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Ground Turkey Quesadilla Seasoning: This homemade blend of spices-like cumin, chili powder, paprika, and garlic powder-brings bold flavor to the ground turkey. If you're short on time, you can easily sub in a store-bought taco seasoning or fajita seasoning packet.
- Tomato Paste: A small amount of tomato paste adds a rich, umami flavor that enhances the turkey and ties all the ingredients together.
- Cheese: Oaxaca, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend are ideal because they melt beautifully, giving you that ooey-gooey texture. The Mexican cheese blend is a versatile option that's widely available and combines multiple cheeses for more flavor.
- Tortillas: I used 6-inch flour tortillas, but you can definitely go with corn tortillas if you prefer. Just make sure to heat them up first so they're pliable and don't crack when folding.
Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below
How to Make A Ground Turkey Quesadilla
Step 1 | Cook Ground Turkey
Cook onions, bell peppers, and ground turkey in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 2 | Add in Remaining Ingredients
Add in beans, corn, seasoning, tomato paste, and water. Cook for 2 minutes.
Step 3 | Assemble the Quesadillas
Brush or spray with oil on one side of the tortilla. Flip. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons cheese, ground turkey mixture, and 2 more tablespoons of cheese on half of the tortilla . Fold the tortilla in half, pressing gently to seal.
Step 4 | Cook
Heat another skillet over medium-high heat. Transfer folded quesadilla to skillet and cook 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Flip with a spatula and cook the other side.
Tips
Ground turkey releases liquid when you cook it in a skillet. Make sure all the liquid has evaporated before adding in the beans, corn, seasoning, and tomato paste.
To keep your quesadillas crispy when reheating, skip the microwave! Instead, reheat your leftover quesadillas in a frying pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side or lay them on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
Sides
- Cilantro Lime Rice: Fluffy rice seasoned with lime juice and cilantro, a great side dish for any Tex-Mex meal.
- Black Bean Salad: A healthy, refreshing side loaded with black beans, veggies, and a tangy dressing.
- Chicken Tortilla Soup: Serve a warm bowl of this soup on the side for a cozy, satisfying meal.
- Mexican Street Corn: Sweet corn topped with creamy mayo, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime juice-so delicious!
If you need more options, check out this list of easy sides that will pair perfectly quesadilla.
Favorite Toppings
- Pico de Gallo
- Guacamole
- Quesadilla Avocado-Tomatillo Sauce
- Sour Cream
- Salsa
What are the best kinds of cheese for a quesadilla?
- Oaxaca Cheese: This Mexican cheese is stretchy, melty, and ideal for quesadillas. It has a mild flavor and an irresistible stringy texture.
- Monterey Jack: Another great melting cheese, Monterey Jack has a buttery, mild taste that complements the other ingredients without overpowering them.
- Mexican Cheese Blend: Typically a mix of cheddar, Monterey Jack, Asadero, and Oaxaca, this blend gives you the best of all worlds-melty texture and a bit more sharpness.
Questions
Make the quesadillas as instructed (don't spray with olive oil), but instead of cooking them, store them in the fridge. When ready to eat, spray with olive oil and cook them in a skillet until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.
The ground turkey filling can be frozen for meal prep. Cook the filling as instructed, then let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Make sure to add 1-2 tablespoons of oil while cooking your ground turkey. This keeps the turkey juicy and prevents it from sticking to the pan.
Variations
- Other Meats: You can easily swap out the ground turkey for ground beef or ground chicken.
- Spicy Version: For a spicier kick, try using pepper jack cheese and adding sliced jalapeños to the filling. You can also sprinkle in some red pepper flakes or add a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce to turn up the heat.
Tried this recipe? Let everyone know how it turned out! Your feedback and tips help others decide if they should make it.
Ground Turkey Quesadillas
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 pound ground turkey 94%
- 1 bell pepper diced
- ½ yellow onion diced
- ½ cup canned black beans
- ½ cup canned corn
- 1 batch turkey seasoning or 1 pack of taco seasoning
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 ½ cups Oaxaca or Monterey Jack Cheese
- 10 medium sized flour tortillas
Turkey Seasoning
- 1 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon pepper
See it. Make it. Eat it!
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add ground turkey, diced bell pepper, and onion to the skillet. Cook until the turkey is brown and any excess water has evaporated.
- Mix in beans, corn, turkey seasoning, tomato paste, and ¼ cup of water. Cook for 2 minutes or until any excess water has evaporated. Set aside.
- Place a tortilla on a clean surface. Brush oil on one side of the tortilla. Flip. Sprinkle 2 tablespoon cheese, ground turkey mixture, and 2 more tablespoon cheese on half of the tortilla. Fold in half, pressing gently to seal.
- Heat another skillet over medium-high heat.
- Transfer folded quesadilla to skillet and cook until golden brown. Flip and cook the other side until the cheese has melted and the tortilla is crispy. Remove from skillet, let cool briefly, then cut into wedges.
- Repeat the process with the remaining tortilla and ingredients.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the ingredients used.
More Quesadilla Recipes
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- BBQ Brisket Quesadilla - This BBQ brisket quesadilla is stuffed with Oxacca cheese (the best for quesadillas), onions, cilantro, and brisket slathered in BBQ sauce.
- Shredded Chicken Quesadillas- These chicken and cheese quesadillas are loaded with shredded chicken, sautéed onions and bell peppers for extra flavor.
- Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas- These Black Bean Quesadillas are packed with veggies and delicious flavors, making them the perfect comfort food.
- Steak Quesadillas - These Steak Quesadillas are packed with juicy, perfectly seasoned steak, sautéed onions, and melty Oaxaca cheese all wrapped in a warm, golden tortilla.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!