Corned Beef Quesadilla
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Corned beef quesadilla are a delicious and fun twist on the classic Irish dish. With warm tender corned beef, sautéed chopped cabbage, and melted Swiss cheese all stuffed into a crispy tortilla, every bite is bursting with flavor and texture.
This is the time of year where you will see corned beef everywhere in the stores. While a traditional meal of corned beef and cabbage is always a great option, I like to change it up a bit too. These corned beef quesadilla are a great way to use leftover corned beef or break away from the standard meal.
What is corned beef?
In the US, corned beef is typically beef brisket that is cured in a salt solution. Technically, any meat could be cured by this process though. The term “corned beef” comes from the treatment of the meat with large grained rock salt which are also referred to as “corns” of salt.
Eating corned beef is typically associated with Saint Patrick’s Day and originates from Irish-American culture. These quesadillas are the perfect way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day or to use leftover corned beef from the more traditional corned beef and cabbage meal typically served.
Ingredients for Corned Beef Quesadilla
- Neutral Oil
- Yellow Onion
- Garlic
- Sea Salt
- Green Cabbage: Cabbage is often paired with corned beef. Here it adds some texture to the quesadilla.
- Corned Beef: Be sure to get your corned beef shaved or very thinly sliced for the best results.
- Flour Tortillas
- Swiss Cheese: You can use slices or shredded depending on your preference.
How to Make Corned Beef Quesadilla
This quesadilla recipe is super easy! I frequently make the filling in advance and keep it in the fridge until I’m ready to make dinner. The full instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
- Start by softening the onion and garlic in the oil. This will help mellow the flavors.
- Add the cabbage and salt and sauté until the cabbage is softened.
- Stir in the corned beef and cook until warmed through.
Once the filling is ready, this meat and cheese quesadilla is so easy to put together and will cook super quickly. They are the perfect weeknight meal or even a great late night snack!
- Place a tortilla in an empty skillet.
- Add cheese and the cabbage mixture to one half of tortilla. Top with cheese and fold the other side of the tortilla over.
- Flip halfway through cooking to ensure both sides of the tortilla get browned.
Serve this easy St. Patrick’s Day recipe with a dollop of sour cream or some tangy sauerkraut for an extra punch of flavor, or dip in Thousand Islands dressing.
Other Great St. Patrick’s Day Recipes to Try
Corned Beef Quesadilla
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable or avocado oil
- 1 cup yellow onion chopped
- 3 tablespoons garlic chopped (about 4 cloves)
- 2 teaspoons sea salt divided
- 3 cups thinly shredded green cabbage
- 250 grams deli corned beef shaved
- 2 10" flour tortillas
- 8 Swiss cheese slices or 2 cups shredded
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pan over medium high. Add onion and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes.2 tablespoons vegetable or avocado oil, 1 cup yellow onion, 3 tablespoons garlic
- Sprinkle salt into pan and cook for an additional minute.2 teaspoons sea salt
- Reduce heat to medium. Add in cabbage cook until cabbage is wilted (about 5 minutes). Add in cabbage and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a plate or bowl to prep the quesadillas, one at a time.3 cups thinly shredded green cabbage, 250 grams deli corned beef
- Temporarily remove the pan from heat, and place 1 tortilla in the pan. On half of the tortilla, put 2 of the cheese slices (I cut them to cover more area), ½ of the corned beef and cabbage mixture and 2 more slices of cheese, then fold over the other side and place of medium heat until golden brown. Flip and brown the other side.2 10" flour tortillas, 8 Swiss cheese slices or 2 cups shredded
- Transfer quesadilla to a cutting board to in half and repeat with the second one.
Notes
- The filling can be made ahead and refrigerated until ready to assemble the quesadilla.
Nutrition
This corned beef and cabbage quesadilla was so delish! So unusual but so good!