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+ servings
Close-up of pork carnitas quesadillas sliced into wedges, with sauce dripping down the sides and fresh herbs sprinkled on top.

Pork Carnitas Quesadillas

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Crispy Pork Carnitas Quesadillas combine tender pork, melted Colby Jack cheese, and black beans folded into a golden flour tortilla. Perfect for a quick, satisfying dinner in under 15 minutes.
4 Servings

Ingredients

  • 1⅓ cups cooked pork carnitas
  • 1 tsp vegetable oil
  • 2 large flour tortillas burrito-sized
  • 1 cup Colby Jack cheese shredded
  • ½ cup black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter

Optional Toppings:

  • Sour cream
  • Guacamole
  • Pico de gallo
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Corn salsa

Instructions
 

Prepare the Pork Carnitas:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over high heat. Add the vegetable oil and heat until shimmering. Add the pork carnitas and cook without stirring for 2-3 minutes, allowing the edges to crisp. The pork does not need to be fully heated through as it will continue to warm during quesadilla assembly. Remove the pork from the skillet and set it aside.

Heat the Skillet and Prepare the Base:

  1. Reduce the heat to medium. Add half of the butter to the skillet, allowing it to melt and coat the surface evenly. Once melted, sprinkle approximately 1 tablespoon of the shredded cheese directly onto the skillet to create a golden, crispy cheese crust.

Assemble the Quesadilla:

  1. Place one flour tortilla directly on the buttered and cheesed skillet. Evenly distribute half the remaining shredded cheese over the tortilla, followed by half the black beans and half of the crisped pork carnitas. Sprinkle another small amount of cheese on top before folding the tortilla in half.

Cook the Quesadilla:

  1. Allow the quesadilla to cook for 5-6 minutes, or until the bottom is golden brown and the cheese has fully melted. Flip carefully and cook the other side for an additional 2-3 minutes, ensuring a golden, crispy exterior.

Repeat for the Second Quesadilla:

  1. Repeat steps 2 through 4 using the second tortilla and the remaining ingredients.

Serve:

  1. Slice the quesadillas into wedges and serve immediately with your preferred toppings such as sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo.

Notes

To make this recipe gluten-free, simply substitute the flour tortillas with certified gluten-free corn tortillas or gluten-free flour tortillas. Ensure all other ingredients, particularly the pork carnitas and toppings, are verified gluten-free.
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