Barbacoa Quesadilla

Quesadillas are such an indulgence for me. I mean, come on, it's basically a vehicle for melty cheese! For a bit more substance and flavor, I thought it'd be fun to stuff with citrusy beef Barbacoa.

Barbacoa is slow-cooked tender beef simmered in warm spices and plenty of lime. It's usually shredded, stuffed in a taco, and topped with raw onion and a fat squeeze of lime. Maybe some cilantro and cotija cheese if you're feeling wild.

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with a fabulous Barbacoa Taco. In fact, it's one of my go-tos at our local taco stand. But if you love Barbacoa and you love Quesadillas, porque no los dos?!

Barbacoa Quesadillas

Ingredients

For the barbacoa

· 1lb beef chuck roast, cubed

· 1 small onion, chopped

· 5 garlic cloves, crushed

· 2 tsp dried oregano

· 2 tsp cumin

· 2 tsp chili powder

· ½ tsp coriander

· 1 tsp salt

· ½ tsp black pepper

· 1 dried bay leaf

· Zest of 2 limes

· ½ cup beef broth

· ¼ cup lime juice

For the quesadilla

· 1 poblano pepper, sliced thin

· 6 10-in flour tortillas

· 6 oz sharp cheddar, shredded

· 6oz pepper jack, shredded

· ½ red onion diced

· 2 cups guacamole

For the barbacoa…combine all ingredients in the bowl of a slow-cooker. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the beef is fall-apart-tender.

Remove the bay leaf. Shred the beef with forks. Keep warm until ready to make the quesadillas.

For the quesadillas…Bring a large skillet or griddle to medium low heat. Spray with non-stick spray. Sautee the poblanos until soft and tender. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Place a tortilla in the same skillet. Sprinkle half of the tortilla with about a ½ oz each of both cheddar and jack cheeses. Top with a spoonful of the barbaco, a few slices of poblano and a sprinkle of red onions. Top with another ½ oz each of cheddar and jack. Fold the other half of the tortilla over the filling. Cook on the first side until golden brown and crispy. Flip and cook again until golden brown as well.

Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.

Slice into wedges and serve with plenty of guacamole.

Makes 6 quesadillas

Gluten Free Friendly!

Rather than substitute with corn tortillas, we prefer Mission GF Soft Taco tortillas for our quesadillas.