These Steak Quesadillas are packed with juicy, perfectly seasoned steak, sautéed onions, and melty Oaxaca cheese—all wrapped in a warm, golden tortilla.
Recipe Overview
Time: About 55 minutes in total.
Ingredients: Flank steak, spices (onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, cumin, chipotle chili powder, salt), olive oil, onion, Oaxaca cheese (or mozzarella), flour tortillas.
Ease: Easy – This recipe comes together in under 40 minutes with simple ingredients and minimal prep, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Flank Steak - Flank or skirt steak works great for quesadillas because it's flavorful and cooks quickly.
Spices - A simple mix of onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, cumin, chipotle chili powder, and salt adds bold flavor. If you don’t have chipotle chili powder, regular chili powder or smoked paprika are good swaps.
Olive Oil - Used for cooking the steak and onions. You can substitute with avocado oil or vegetable oil if preferred.
Onion - You can also use one sliced red bell pepper instead of the onion.
Oaxaca Cheese - Mozzarella is a great alternative, or you could use Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend for more flavor variety.
Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below
How to Make Steak Quesadillas
Step 1 | Season & Cook Flank Steak
Mix spices in a small bowl, then pat your steak dry and season both sides evenly. Cook for 4–6 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and let it rest before cutting into pieces.
Step 2 | Cook Onion
Add the remaining olive oil if needed, then cook the sliced onions for about 6 minutes until softened. Transfer them to a bowl and set aside.
Step 3 | Assemble Quesadillas
Layer cheese, steak, and onions on half of each tortilla, then fold in half. Cook in a skillet over medium heat for 2–4 minutes per side until golden and melty.
Step 4 | Serve
Slice the quesadillas into wedges and serve with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.
Tip
Let the steak rest before slicing: After cooking, let the steak rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing. This helps keep the juices in the meat, so your quesadillas stay juicy and flavorful—not dry.
Toppings for Steak Quesadillas
Guacamole and Chips: Creamy guacamole is the perfect cool contrast to the melty, cheesy quesadillas.
Homemade Pico de Gallo: This fresh tomato salsa adds a zesty, juicy bite that cuts through the richness of the steak and cheese.
No-Fail Queso Dip: If you’re feeling extra cheesy, serve these quesadillas with a side of warm queso dip.
Have you tried this recipe yet? I'd love to know how it turned out! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below or tag @MeganVsKitchen on social.
Steak Quesadilla Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb flank steak
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chipotle chili powder or regular chili powder
- 1 tablespoons olive oil divided
- ½ medium onion thinly sliced
- 3 cups shredded Oaxaca cheese or mozzarella cheese
- 6 medium 8-inch flour tortillas
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the salt, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, cumin, and chili powder.
- Pat the steak dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the seasoning evenly over both sides of the steak.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the steak and cook for 5-10 minutes per side, depending on thickness and desired doneness. Transfer the steak to a cutting board and let it rest.
- If the skillet is dry, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 6 minutes, or until softened. Transfer the onions to a bowl.
- Slice the rested steak against the grain into thin strips or bite-sized pieces.
- On one half of each tortilla, layer ¼ cup shredded cheese, some steak slices, some sautéed onions, and another ¼ cup of cheese. Fold the tortillas in half.
- Heat a clean skillet over medium heat. Place the quesadilla in the skillet and cook for 2–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Cut the quesadillas into wedges. Serve with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the ingredients used.
More Tex-Mex Dinner Recipes
Shredded Beef Enchiladas- Tender, juicy slow cooker Mexican shredded beef wrapped in a tortilla, smothered in enchilada sauce, and topped with melted cheese.
One-Pot Taco Pasta- This 35-minute One-Pot Creamy Taco Pasta is a hearty, flavor-packed dinner made with pasta, seasoned Mexican beef, and a rich, cheesy sauce—all in one pot for easy cleanup.
Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole- This Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole is cheesy, saucy, and easy to make!
15-Minute Ground Chicken Tacos- They are so easy to make and perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Save This For Later
Enter your email & we'll send you a link to the post. Plus, you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!