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Home · Recipes · Pork · Pulled Pork Quesadillas

Published: Feb 6, 2019 by Kelly Anthony · 17 CommentsThis post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

Pulled Pork Quesadillas

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Quesadillas are a quick and easy, family-friendly dinner idea perfect for weeknights and eating on a budget. If you happen to have leftover pulled pork on hand -- then you're really talking budget-friendly! Because now you can put those leftovers to work for you in Pulled Pork Quesadillas. They're not only loaded with flavor but are over-the-top easy to make!

In addition to a loveable family recipe that requires all of 20 minutes and only a few ingredients, we'll cover all the basics like why you should always cook quesadillas over medium-low heat, one simple tactic to avoid a messy flip (keeping the contents inside of your quesadilla), plus, how to keep them from getting soggy, freezing tips, and more!

Three triangle pieces of pork quesadilla stacked on top of each other. Next to the quesadilla is a piece of fresh jalapeno.

A quesadilla is like the perfect little Mexican sandwich, and they come in all different variations, from cheese to chicken to veggie to steak quesadillas. If you can stuff it in between a layer of flour tortillas along with some melty cheese and cook it on the stovetop, it's pretty much a quesadilla.

The filling possibilities are practically endless, and you might find it easy to let your imagination run wild. Just be sure to make a pitstop at the pulled pork quesadilla, because this one should not be overlooked.

PULLED PORK QUESADILLA INGREDIENTS

  • Flour Tortillas
  • Pulled Pork
  • Monterrey Jack Cheese
  • Flour Tortillas
  • Red Onion (Optional)
  • Jalapeños (Optional)

FLOUR TORTILLAS

Pulled Pork Quesadillas start like any traditional quesadilla -- with flour tortillas. Not corn tortillas. You'll want to use a standard, 8" tortilla. And, of course, you can't have a Pulled Pork Quesadilla without the pulled pork.

PULLED PORK

These quesadillas are perfect for using up leftover pulled pork. For this recipe, I prefer to use this Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork. This particular pulled pork recipe begins with a quick and easy concentrated BBQ sauce/rub that infiltrates ever bit of the pork and is extremely flavorful.

For another delicious pork recipe, be sure to check out our smoked pork chops or pork steaks as well.

QUESADILLA CHEESE OPTIONS

The best and most common cheese used for making quesadillas is shredded Monterey Jack as it is subtle in flavor and melts easily. However, you aren't necessarily limited to using this cheese alone. Pepper Jack, White Cheddar, Chihuahua, and Oaxaca cheese would all be acceptable for use in your Pulled Pork Quesadillas.

OPTIONAL VEGGIES

The onion and jalapeño in this recipe are optional, so if you're short on time or feeding a crowd of picky eaters, feel free to omit them. However, they will add a great deal of flavor to your quesadillas and they also happen to pair perfectly with pulled pork. If you've got the time, it's most definitely worth the extra couple of minutes to slam out these veggies in skillet.

A side view of triangle cut quesadillas.

HOW TO MAKE PULLED PORK QUESADILLAS

  1. Drizzle oil in a pan over medium-low heat, add a tortilla, and sprinkle with cheese.
  2. Sprinkle only half of the tortilla with pulled pork and veggies (if using).
  3. Wait for the cheese to get melty.
  4. Fold the cheesy side over the pulled pork side using a spatula, and hold down until ingredients meld together.
  5. Cut, serve and enjoy!

Our bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin is another favorite around here. Give it a try!

DON'T USE HIGH HEAT!

Quesadillas and grilled cheeses have a lit-tle more in common than one might think -- it's all about the melty cheese. The cheese is the glue that holds everything together when it comes to Pulled Pork Quesadillas...or really any quesadilla for that matter. It's very important that you use medium-low heat so the cheese can melt before the tortilla blackens.

WHY USE THE FOLD-OVER METHOD?

Use the fold-over method rather than the flip. Folding a tortilla in half versus flipping one on the stovetop is not only easier, you're much more likely to keep your filling in tact this way. Bonus.

To do this, you'll add pork to only one half of the tortilla, and the same goes for the veggies if using them. Just to be clear though, the cheese goes all over the tortilla. Because remember, the cheese is the glue.

Then, once the cheese is melted all across the tortilla, use your spatula to fold the cheesy side over the pulled pork side. Use the back of your spatula to hold the quesadilla in place, just until everything inside is melded together.

An overhead shot of triangular cut pieces of pork quesadillas. In the top left of the picture is a small condiment bowl of sauce.

HOW TO KEEP THEM FROM GETTING SOGGY

It's very likely you'll only be able to fit one tortilla at a time on your pan, therefore batching out what remains. As hot things sit against a flat surface (like a plate) they tend to build up condensation and get a soggy bottom-side. Boo that.

If you want your Pulled Pork Quesadillas to stay nice and crispy, place them on a wire rack instead.

HOW TO FREEZE QUESADILLAS

Pulled pork is good in the refrigerator for 3-4 days from the day that you made it. If you'd like to extend the shelf life or your eyes were bigger than your stomach and you made one too many Pulled Pork Quesadillas, no worries -- you can freeze them!

You can keep quesadillas in the freezer for up to 2 months. To freeze them, transfer the cooled quesadillas to an airtight, freezer-safe container, separated by sheets of wax paper to prevent them from sticking and developing freezer burn. It's best if there is not too much headspace from the quesadillas to the lid.

You can also wrap your cooled quesadillas in wax paper and place them in a freezer-safe, zip-top gallon-sized bag.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH PULLED PORK QUESADILLAS?

Serve Pulled Pork Quesadillas with Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice, Tex-Mex Black Beans, or Mexican Charro Beans, and don't forget the BBQ Sauce for dipping!

A close up shot of a triangular piece of pork quesadilla with a bite missing. In the background are more quesadillas and part of a condiment container of sauce.

6 MORE PORK RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

  • Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork features perfectly tender shredded pork coated with an easy, flavorful BBQ sauce.
  • Leftover Pulled Pork Salad turns pulled pork into an easy salad featuring shredded lettuce, cabbage, french fried onions, a tangy barbecue dressing and more!
  • Pulled Pork Sliders are great for using up pulled pork leftovers and are seriously easy to assemble. A great kid-friendly dinner idea and an inexpensive way to feed a crowd!
  • Pulled Pork Nachos is where BBQ meets Mexican food and the results are everything you could want them to be…and then some more!
  • Oven-Baked Country-Style Pork Ribs are braised in a quick, savory, homemade barbecue sauce. An ideal recipe for slow-cooking Sundays and family dinners.
  • Slow Cooker Spare Ribs yield the perfect bite with a burst of big BBQ flavor, but best of all -- they're easy to make!
Pulled Pork Quesadillas
Print Recipe
4.69 from 22 votes

Pulled Pork Quesadillas

Pulled Pork Quesadillas are quick and easy dinnertime option the entire family will love, and the perfect way to use up that leftover pulled pork! 
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time15 minutes mins
Total Time20 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Keyword: Pulled Pork Quesadillas
Servings: 5
Calories: 373kcal
Author: Kelly Anthony

Ingredients

  • 1 red onion, halved and thinly sliced (optional)
  • 2 jalapeños, seeded and thinly sliced into rings (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil (plus extra for drizzling or brushing)
  • 8 flour tortillas
  • 2 ½ - 3 cups leftover pulled pork, warmed
  • 2 cups freshly grated Monterrey Jack cheese

Instructions

  • If using the onion and jalapeños, add 2 tablespoons of canola oil to a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and jalapeño and sauté 4-6 minutes, or until softened. Transfer the vegetables to a bowl and set aside.
  • Wipe the pan clean and place over medium-low heat. Add a light drizzle of oil to the pan and allow to come to temperature. 
  • Carefully, place 1 flour tortilla on the pan and scatter about a ¼ cup of shredded cheese over the entire tortilla. Then, to only one half of the tortilla, add about a ⅓ cup pulled pork, followed by a light sprinkle of the vegetables, if using.
  • Once the cheese starts to melt (about 1 minute), use a spatula to fold the side with cheese only over the pulled pork filling. Hold the quesadilla down with your spatula until the filling has melded together, about 30 seconds to 1 minute more.
  • Repeat with the remaining tortillas, adding an additional light drizzle of oil to the pan as needed. Cut in halves or quarters, serve and enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 373kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 572mg | Potassium: 156mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 410IU | Vitamin C: 8.3mg | Calcium: 393mg | Iron: 2mg
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Comments

  1. mimi rippee says

    February 07, 2019 at 2:50 pm

    How great are these?!! This would be wonderful with leftover pulled pork. I like that you dip in BBQ sauce instead of salsa. How fun.

    Reply
    • Kelly Anthony says

      February 08, 2019 at 12:41 pm

      Thank you, Mimi! Yes! This one is great for kids 🙂 ...and the grown-ups! Ha!

      Reply
  2. Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says

    February 07, 2019 at 10:45 pm

    I love all the details you give in this post! So many helpful tips and tricks in here. I will have to try the foldover next time I make these!

    Reply
  3. SHANIKA says

    February 07, 2019 at 11:10 pm

    I absolutely love Quesadillas and this pulled pork version looks great! Yum!

    Reply
  4. Chantal says

    February 07, 2019 at 11:38 pm

    Ouh yeah!!! You really stuff these, I like that!

    Reply
    • Kelly Anthony says

      February 08, 2019 at 12:40 pm

      Haha! Thanks, Chantal!

      Reply
  5. Sharon says

    February 08, 2019 at 12:13 am

    These pulled pork quesadillas look so good! I would love them for dinner or a movie night snack. They look great.

    Reply
  6. Anita says

    February 08, 2019 at 1:12 am

    The quesadillas are the perfect finger food. And such a great tip on how to freeze any leftovers. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Kelly Anthony says

      February 08, 2019 at 12:40 pm

      Thanks so much, Anita!

      Reply
  7. Sandi says

    February 08, 2019 at 4:16 am

    I could totally go for a plate of those quesadillas tonight.

    Reply
  8. Eileen Kelly says

    February 16, 2019 at 3:46 am

    Yum! When I can make a meal that is transformed from another to make an amazing dish using leftovers, hello fabulous! These pulled pork quesadillas are fantastic and being able to freeze some for later is great! Great tips to keep the quesadillas crispy by using the wire rack too!

    Reply
  9. Luci says

    March 07, 2019 at 6:23 am

    I love pull pork and quesadilla. Put them together this is a perfect meal.

    Reply
  10. Whitney says

    October 01, 2019 at 5:16 pm

    I make quesadillas all the time and never thought to try pulled pork. And thanks for the freezing tip!!

    Reply
    • Kelly Anthony says

      October 02, 2019 at 11:30 am

      You are so welcome!

      Reply
  11. Pam Greer says

    October 01, 2019 at 6:11 pm

    These are so easy and so good! They are definitely going to be our go to recipe when we have leftover pulled pork!

    Reply
  12. Cookilicious says

    October 01, 2019 at 6:48 pm

    Love quesadillas! These look great!

    Reply
  13. morgan eisenberg says

    October 01, 2019 at 6:55 pm

    Perfect way to give new life to these leftovers!

    Reply
4.69 from 22 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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I’m Kelly Anthony — a baker, home chef, and mom with a passion for food and an adoration for entertaining.

Comfort food is my specialty, and it is truly my pleasure to share these recipes with you. If you’d like to get to know me a little better, click here.

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