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–+ servings
Overhead view of a shrimp quesadilla cut into 3 wedge-shaped slices surrounded by toppings.

Shrimp Quesadilla

40aprons.com/shrimp-quesadilla/
These simple shrimp quesadillas pack so much flavor into one tortilla, it's hard to believe! Juicy, tender shrimp, sautéed peppers and onions, zesty lime juice, melty cheese, and your favorite taco seasoning make this a guaranteed family favorite.
Prep 15 minutes
Cook 20 minutes
Total 35 minutes
Recipe Makes (Approximate): 6 quesadillas

Equipment

  • 2 large skillets
  • Large wooden spoon
  • Spatula
  • Large plate

Ingredients

For the Shrimp Quesadillas

  • 2 tablespoons neutral-flavored oil (avocado oil, refined coconut oil, canola oil, etc.; plus more as needed)
  • 1 small onion (diced, approximately 1 cup)
  • 1 medium bell pepper (chopped, approximately 1 cup)
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
  • salt (to taste)
  • 1 pound raw medium shrimp (peeled, deveined)
  • 1-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (juice from approximately 1 medium lime)
  • 4 tablespoons butter (plus more as needed)
  • 6 10-inch flour tortillas
  • 3 cups shredded cheese (divided; quesadilla cheese, Monterey cheese, or Mexican-style cheese blend)

Suggested Toppings (All Optional)

  • cilantro
  • sour cream
  • pico de gallo

Instructions

  • Heat one large skillet over medium-high heat. When pan is warm, add 2 tablespoons neutral oil and swirl pan to distribute oil across surface. Continue heating pan until oil is hot and shimmery.
  • Add diced onion and chopped bell pepper to skillet. Cook, stirring periodically, 5 to 6 minutes or until onions are translucent and peppers have softened. Note: stirring too frequently will prevent veggies from browning, fajita-style. If mixture begins to dry out or smoke, add 1 additional tablespoon neutral oil.
    Onion and pepper mixture in a large silver skillet for shrimp quesadillas.
  • Once veggies are ready, reduce heat under skillet to medium. Add taco seasoning and stir until pepper and onions are well coated.
  • Add uncooked shrimp to skillet. Stir to incorporate, then cook shrimp 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until shrimp are slightly curled and opaque with no pink in center.
    Shrimp for shrimp quesadilla in a large skillet.
  • Remove skillet from heat. Sprinkle fresh lime juice over mixture in skillet and stir to incorporate. Set skillet aside.
  • Heat other large skillet over medium heat. When pan is warm, add ½ tablespoon butter. Melt butter, swirling pan to distribute butter across surface. When butter is melted but not boiling or browned, place 1 flour tortilla in skillet completely flat.
  • Spoon approximately ⅓ cup shrimp mixture onto one half of tortilla. Top shrimp mixture with approximately ½ cup shredded cheese. Cook 90 seconds or until bottom of tortilla is lightly browned.
  • Use spatula to carefully lift opposite edge of tortilla from skillet. Fold tortilla in half, covering filling completely, and press lightly on top of quesadilla with spatula to keep tortilla folded.
  • Carefully place spatula under bottom half of tortilla and flip quesadilla over. Immediately sprinkle now-top of quesadilla with salt to taste.
  • Cook quesadilla 1 to 2 minutes or until other side of tortilla is lightly browned. When satisfied with doneness, carefully transfer quesadilla to large plate and set aside. Repeat process with remaining 5 flour tortillas until all quesadillas have been folded and melted.
  • Serve quesadillas warm with desired sides and toppings.

Recipe Notes

  • Make it Gluten Free: Use gluten-free tortillas and make sure your taco seasoning doesn't contain any gluten.
  • Make it Low Carb: Use low-carb tortillas.
  • Make it Keto: Use a keto taco seasoning and these homemade keto tortillas.

Nutrition Information (Approximate)

Serving Size: 1quesadillaCalories: 541calProtein: 29gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 160mgSodium: 1454mgPotassium: 192mgTotal Carbs: 40gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gNet Carbs: 38gVitamin A: 1409IUVitamin C: 27mgCalcium: 460mgIron: 4mg
Recipe By: Cheryl Malik
https://40aprons.com/shrimp-quesadilla/