Steak & Shrimp Quesadilla
Brace yourself for the ultimate surf-and-turf experience wrapped in a golden, crispy tortilla! This Steak & Shrimp Quesadilla is pure comfort food with a bold, flavor-packed twist. Juicy, tender steak meets perfectly seasoned shrimp, all smothered in melty cheese and grilled to crispy, golden perfection. It’s hearty, satisfying, and absolutely oozing with flavor. Whether you’re whipping it up for a fun family dinner or treating yourself to an indulgent lunch, trust me this quesadilla is about to become a serious craving.
Why You’ll Love Steak & Shrimp Quesadilla
This recipe isn’t just about the ingredients it’s about creating moments. Whether you’re cooking for a casual family dinner, hosting a get-together with friends, or simply indulging in some comforting flavors for yourself, this dish is versatile enough to fit the occasion. Here’s why it’s a favorite:
Versatile: Makes a killer dinner, game-day snack, or even brunch with a side of eggs.
Budget-Friendly: Uses accessible ingredients and stretches meat across servings.
Quick and Easy: Done in about 30 minutes, with minimal cleanup.
Customizable: Swap in your favorite cheese, add peppers or onions, spice it up go wild!
Crowd-Pleasing: A guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. It’s always a win when a single dish can satisfy everyone at the table. This recipe strikes the perfect balance of flavor and comfort, making it a universal favorite.
Ingredients in Steak & Shrimp Quesadilla
These simple, flavorful ingredients come together to create a quesadilla that’s anything but ordinary.
Steak: Thinly sliced or chopped sirloin, ribeye, or flank all work great.
Shrimp: Peeled and deveined medium or large shrimp cook quickly and stay juicy.
Taco Seasoning: Adds smoky, spicy depth to both the steak and shrimp.
Olive Oil or Butter: For sautéing the meat and crisping the tortillas.
Garlic: A little garlic brings out big flavor in the surf and turf filling.
Shredded Cheese: Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend all melt beautifully.
Tortillas: Large flour tortillas are perfect for holding all that goodness.
Optional Add-ins: Sautéed onions, bell peppers, jalapeños, or a sprinkle of cilantro.
Dipping Sauce: Sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or chipotle mayo are all excellent choices.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Instructions
Let’s dive into the steps to create this flavorful masterpiece:
Preheat Your Equipment: Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.
Cook the Steak: In a hot skillet with a splash of oil, cook the sliced steak with taco seasoning and garlic until browned and just cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Sauté the Shrimp: In the same pan, add a bit more oil if needed and sauté the shrimp with additional seasoning until pink and opaque, about 2–3 minutes. Set aside with the steak.
Assemble the Quesadillas: Lay one tortilla flat, sprinkle with a generous layer of shredded cheese, then add steak and shrimp evenly over one half. Fold the tortilla over to close.
Cook to Crispy Perfection: Wipe out the skillet, melt a little butter or oil, and cook the quesadilla on each side until golden brown and crispy, about 2–3 minutes per side.
Slice and Serve: Let it rest for a minute, then slice into wedges and serve hot with your favorite dips.
Notes
Nutrition Facts:
Servings: 4
Calories per serving: 560
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
How to Serve Steak & Shrimp Quesadilla
This dish pairs wonderfully with various sides and accompaniments. Here are a few serving suggestions to enhance your dining experience:
Serve with classic sides like rice and beans, street corn, or a crisp salad. Add dipping sauces like sour cream, pico de gallo, chipotle ranch, or guacamole. Cut into triangles and stack for party platters or game day spreads. Want to get fancy? Drizzle with crema and sprinkle with fresh cilantro and lime juice.
Additional Tips
Here are some extra tips to help you get the most out of this recipe:
Cook the meat separately for best texture don’t overcrowd the pan. Use freshly shredded cheese it melts more smoothly than pre-shredded. Warm tortillas briefly before assembling to make them more pliable. If using raw steak, slice it thin against the grain for tenderness. Want it spicy? Add jalapeños or hot sauce to the filling.
FAQ’s
1. What’s the best cut of steak to use?
Sirloin, flank, or ribeye are all great choices they cook quickly and stay tender.
2. Can I use precooked shrimp?
Yes just warm them briefly with seasoning before adding to the quesadilla.
3. Can I make this in the oven?
Absolutely! Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes, flipping once for even crisping.
4. Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes! Wrap tightly and freeze. Reheat in a skillet or oven to maintain crispiness.
5. What cheeses melt best?
Monterey Jack, cheddar, pepper jack, or a Mexican blend all work beautifully.
6. Can I use corn tortillas?
You can, but they’re smaller and more delicate consider making quesadilla “tacos” instead.
7. How do I keep them from getting soggy?
Use minimal moisture (don’t overdo it on sauces), and cook until the tortillas are golden and crisp.
8. What if I want to add veggies?
Sautéed onions, peppers, spinach, or mushrooms all make great additions.
9. Can I use a quesadilla maker?
Totally! It’s a great tool to get that even golden crust and melt.
10. How do I reheat them?
Reheat in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes per side to keep them crispy.
Conclusion
Steak & Shrimp Quesadillas are everything you want in a meal crunchy, cheesy, savory, and satisfying with every bite. They’re the perfect blend of indulgent and easy, making them a total crowd-pleaser whether you’re serving them up on a casual night in or impressing friends at a weekend get-together. So grab your skillet, load up those tortillas, and get ready to fall in love with this irresistible surf-and-turf creation!
Print
Steak & Shrimp Quesadilla
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
- Diet: Halal
Description
Steak & Shrimp Quesadillas are loaded with juicy marinated steak, tender shrimp, melty cheese, and sautéed veggies all grilled in a crispy tortilla. A surf-and-turf twist on a Tex-Mex favorite—perfect for lunch, dinner, or game day snacking.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced
- 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup sliced bell peppers (any color)
- 1/2 cup sliced onion
- 1 tablespoon butter (for cooking)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican blend or cheddar cheese
- 4 large flour tortillas
- Sour cream, guacamole, or salsa for serving (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine steak and shrimp with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Let marinate for 15–30 minutes.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the marinated steak for 2–3 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, cook the shrimp until pink and opaque, about 2 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add butter, then sauté sliced bell peppers and onions until softened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- To assemble the quesadillas, place one tortilla in a clean skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle cheese over one half, then layer steak, shrimp, and vegetables. Top with more cheese and fold the tortilla over.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes per side, pressing lightly, until the tortilla is golden and the cheese is melted.
- Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.
- Slice into wedges and serve warm with your favorite dips.
Notes
- Use pre-cooked shrimp to save time—just warm them through.
- Add jalapeños for a spicy kick or mushrooms for extra umami.
- These quesadillas reheat well on a skillet or in an air fryer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 quesadilla
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 190mg
Keywords: steak shrimp quesadilla, surf and turf quesadilla, cheesy steak and shrimp wrap, tex-mex dinner, skillet quesadilla