Elevate your next meal with delicious shrimp quesadillas, loaded with perfectly seasoned shrimp and melted cheese. You won’t believe how easy it is to create this restaurant-quality dish at home.
Shrimp quesadillas are a delightful way to add a touch of coastal cuisine to your regular dinner sauce, inspired by Mexico’s rich culinary history. Dating back to colonial times, quesadillas were initially made using corn tortillas filled with cheese and other ingredients, then cooked over charcoal. Over the years, the dish has evolved as different regions of Mexico put their own spin on this classic favorite. Our recipe highlights the prominence of seafood in coastal Mexican cuisine, combining tender and delicious shrimp with oh-so-gooey cheese for a tantalizing mix of textures and flavors that are sure to impress. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or new to the kitchen, the versatile, shareable dish offers customizable options perfect for friends and family gatherings.
While our shrimp quesadilla recipe involves making delicious and flavorful stir-fried shrimp, there are many other options for incorporating shrimp into this dish.
- For faster and more convenient access, Use pre-cooked shrimp available at most grocery stores. Just be sure to thaw and remove the tails before adding them to your quesadillas.
- If you prefer to cook your shrimp at home, Grill or grill them for a slightly smoky flavor.
- Leftover Cajun, cilantro-lime, or any other similarly flavored shrimp Can be a delicious time saver!
No matter which method you choose, the versatility of the shrimp ensures that your quesadillas are always packed with delicious flavors that perfectly complement the melted cheese and crispy tortilla.
Common questions
Yes, Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese work great as alternatives, offering a gooey texture and added flavor.
Yes, just replace the cheddar with a plant-based cheese alternative that melts well, such as vegan cheddar or mozzarella. You’ll also want to replace the butter with your favorite neutral-flavored, plant-based alternative.
Definitely! Sauteed peppers and onions make a delicious addition to these quesadillas, but feel free to add your favorite veggies!
submission suggestions
These shrimp quesadillas can be served with a variety of sides and toppings. Guacamole, sour cream and salsa add extra flavor and texture, while a simple salad or rice dressing makes a wonderful accompaniment.
Storage and reheating instructions
Leftover shrimp quesadillas can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply heat them in a pan over low heat until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy.
Related recipes
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Elevate your next meal with delicious shrimp quesadillas, loaded with perfectly seasoned shrimp and melted cheese. You won’t believe how easy it is to create this restaurant-quality dish at home.
Component
Simple Sauteed Shrimp:
- 1 pound Jumbo shrimp Peeled and twisted
- 2 spoons Virgin olive oil
- 2 spoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Quesadilla:
- 4 10- inch Flour tortilla
- 1 1/2-2 cups Boiled and chopped shrimp
- 2 cups Grated cheddar cheese
- 4 spoons butter
- 4 spoons Salsa
- Guacamole to serve
- Sour cream to serve
- Salsa to serve
Instructions
Simple Sauteed Shrimp:
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Place the shrimp in a large mixing bowl and drizzle olive oil and lemon juice.
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Sprinkle paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cumin, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper on the shrimp.
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Fry the shrimp in a large pan over medium-high heat until they are no longer transparent and completely cooked, about 3-4 minutes. You can also grill or air fry the shrimp.
Quesadilla:
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Heat a large pan over medium heat and melt 1 tablespoon of butter in the pan.
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Place a tortilla in a pan on the melted butter and sprinkle evenly 1/2 cup of cheese.
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Place 1/2 cup of the cooked shrimp on one half of the tortilla and spread 1 tablespoon of salsa on the other half.
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Allow the cheese to melt for about 3-4 minutes, and then fold the tortilla in half.
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Cook for another minute, then flip the quesadilla to brown the other side to your liking and make sure the cheese is well melted.
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Repeat steps 1-5 with the rest of the tortillas and ingredients, adding more butter as needed.
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Remove the quesadilla from the pan and cut it into slices.
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Serve with guacamole, sour cream and extra salsa on the side.
Remarks
You can use plain boiled shrimp or you can use flavored sautéed shrimp. Just be sure to remove the tails.
Calories: 490KKL | Carbohydrates: 18G | protein: 28G | Fat: 34G | Saturated fat: 19G | Polyunsaturated fat: 2G | Unsaturated fat: 8G | trans fat: 0.5G | Cholesterol: 198mg | sodium: 1287mg | potassium: 226mg | fiber: 1G | Sugar: 2G | vitamin: 1152IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | calcium: 499mg | iron: 1mg
