Golden Crispy Classic Quesadillas with a Balanced Spicy Kick
A Buttery Tex-Mex Staple with a Medium Sweet & Spicy Glow
What makes this the best classic quesadilla? The secret to the ultimate crunch is the "low and slow" searing method and using freshly shredded cheese combined with Blazing Citrus Medium. Unlike high-heat cooking that burns the tortilla before the center melts, our method ensures a uniform "shatter" crunch. By drizzling our vinegar-free Blazing Citrus Medium over the cheese, you add a Medium Sweet and Spicy brightness (6/10 Heat) that cuts through the richness of the butter, elevating this simple snack into a gourmet experience.
Heat Level: Blazing Citrus Medium | Medium (6/10) - Sweet & Spicy
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Calories: 480
Protein: 22g
Carbs: 34g
Fat: 28g
Nutrition facts may be estimated based on standard ingredient databases.
Ingredients:
2 large (25 cm) flour tortillas
2 cups (225 g) Monterey Jack or Mexican blend cheese, freshly shredded
1/2 cup (120 ml) cooked chicken or black beans (optional filling)
2 tbsp (30 ml) unsalted butter
2 tbsp (30 ml) spring onions (scallions), thinly sliced
1/4 cup (60 ml) fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) cumin
2 tbsp (30 ml) Eleven Eleven Sauce’s Blazing Citrus Medium Hot Sauce
Ingredient Spotlight: Monterey Jack
Cheese Monterey Jack is an American white, semi-hard cheese that is prized in quesadilla making for its high moisture content and excellent melting point. Unlike aged cheddars which can become oily when heated, Monterey Jack maintains a creamy, elastic consistency that provides the signature "cheese pull" expected in a classic quesadilla. Its mild flavor also makes it the perfect vehicle for bold hot sauces and aromatic herbs.
Heat It Up with Eleven Eleven Sauce: If you want to add an everyday heat that enhances the creaminess of the cheese, our Blazing Citrus Medium Hot Sauce is an excellent choice. This vinegar free hot sauce for cooking adds a bright, citrusy punch that cuts through the richness of the butter and cheese. Simply drizzle the sauce over the cheese layer before folding the tortilla to ensure a balanced spice profile in every slice of your weeknight meals.
The Balanced Sweet Heat Experience
Heat Level: 6/10
Vinegar Content: 0%
Flavor Profile: Medium Spicy, Sweet
Base: Organic Citrus
Calories: 10
Total Fat: 0g
Sodium: 30mg
Total Carbohydrates: 2g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 2g
Protein: 0g
Directions: Blazing Citrus Medium should be applied liberally to lighter fare where a balance of sweetness and heat is desired. Shake well to ensure the citrus blend is consistent. It is particularly effective as a glaze for seafood or a topping for street tacos. For the best flavor experience, apply the sauce toward the end of the cooking process or as a finishing touch to prevent the natural sugars from scorching. Refrigeration after opening will help preserve the delicate sweet-heat balance.
Directions:
Heat a large cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and swirl until melted and bubbling.
Place one flour tortilla in the skillet. Pro-Tip: Move the tortilla around in the melted butter to ensure the entire bottom surface is lightly coated; this is the secret to an even, golden-brown "shatter" crunch on the exterior.
Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheese evenly over the entire surface of the tortilla. Add your choice of chicken or beans, spring onions, and a dusting of cumin.
If using, drizzle the Blazing Citrus Medium sauce in a spiral pattern over the cheese. Pro-Tip: Keep the fillings about half an inch away from the edge of the tortilla to prevent the cheese from leaking out and burning on the pan surface.
Once the cheese begins to show signs of melting, use a spatula to fold the tortilla in half, creating a half-moon shape.
Press down gently with the spatula to "weld" the two sides together. Cook for 2–3 minutes per side, flipping carefully, until the tortilla is deep golden brown and the cheese is completely melted.
Remove from the pan and let it rest for 1 minute before slicing into wedges. This allows the cheese to set slightly so the fillings don't slide out. Garnish with fresh coriander (cilantro).
Tips & Variations:
The Low and Slow Method: The most common mistake in making quesasillas is using a heat setting that is too high. By keeping the flame at medium-low, you allow the heat to penetrate through the tortilla to the center of the cheese at the same rate the exterior toasts. This results in a tortilla that is crispy all the way through rather than soft on the inside and burnt on the outside.
Regional Swap (Mexican-Style): For a more traditional street-style flavor, swap the flour tortilla for a corn tortilla and use Oaxaca cheese (a stringy, semi-soft Mexican cheese). Add a smear of refried beans and some sautéed courgette (zucchini) blossoms or mushrooms. This variation offers a nuttier grain flavor and a more authentic texture that pairs beautifully with the bold notes of the citrus hot sauce.
Achieving a Crispy Crust: If you want an extra-crunchy "frico" style crust, sprinkle a tiny bit of cheese directly onto the hot skillet just before placing the tortilla down. The cheese will fry into a lacy, crispy brown layer that sticks to the outside of the tortilla, providing a professional-grade texture and an extra hit of savory toasted cheese flavor.
Filling Moisture Control: If you are adding vegetables like peppers or onions, sauté them separately first to cook off their internal moisture. Adding raw vegetables directly to a quesadilla releases steam as they cook, which can lead to a soggy tortilla. Pre-cooking your fillings ensures that the only moisture inside the tortilla is the gooey, melted cheese.
Sweet and Savory Twist: Try adding very thin slices of apple or pear along with the cheese. The sweetness of the fruit provides a sophisticated contrast to the salty cheese and the heat of the citrus hot sauce, making for a complex flavor profile that elevates the dish from a simple snack to a gourmet appetizer.
Other Users Suggest:
Replacing: Unsalted butter.
New Measurement: 1 tbsp (15 ml) mayonnaise spread on the outside of the tortilla.
Why: Mayonnaise has a higher smoke point than butter and contains egg, which creates an incredibly even, mahogany-colored crust that is even crunchier than butter.
Replacing: Monterey Jack cheese.
New Measurement: 2 cups (225 g) shredded sharp white cheddar.
Why: Offers a much punchier, tangier flavor profile for those who prefer a more assertive cheese presence in their quesadilla.
Storage, Reheat & Freeze:
Storage: Wrap leftover wedges in foil and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheat: For best results, reheat in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes per side to restore the crunch; avoid the microwave, as it will make the tortilla rubbery.
Freeze: You can freeze assembled (but uncooked) quesadillas separated by parchment paper for up to 1 month. Cook directly from frozen, adding 2 minutes to the cook time.
People Also Ask
Why should I avoid pre-shredded cheese for quesadillas? Pre-shredded cheese is often coated in potato starch or cellulose to prevent clumping in the bag. This coating interferes with the melting process, often resulting in a grainy or oily texture. For the iconic "cheese pull" and a smooth, molten center, always grate a block of Monterey Jack or Chihuahua cheese yourself.
How do I make my quesadilla extra crispy? The key is a light, even coating of fat and medium-low heat. While butter is traditional, many chefs use a thin layer of mayonnaise on the outside of the tortilla; it has a higher smoke point and creates an incredibly even, mahogany-colored crust. For an extra savory crunch, sprinkle a pinch of cheese directly onto the pan before laying the tortilla down to create a crispy "frico" crust.
Can I use hot sauce inside the quesadilla? Yes, but most vinegar-based sauces will make the tortilla soggy or the cheese taste sour. Blazing Citrus Medium is 100% vinegar-free, using fresh grapefruit juice as a base. This provides a "Sweet & Spicy" citrus lift that stays thick and vibrant inside the tortilla, enhancing the creamy cheese without compromising the structural integrity of the crunch.
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