Easy Shrimp Quesadilla Recipe

Transform your kitchen into a Mexican cantina with this mouthwatering Shrimp Quesadilla Recipe that's guaranteed to become a family favorite. These crispy, cheesy quesadillas packed with perfectly seasoned shrimp deliver restaurant-quality flavors in just 20 minutes. Whether you're planning a quick weeknight dinner or entertaining guests, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between impressive and effortless.

Why You'll Love This Shrimp Quesadilla Recipe

Mexican cuisine meets seafood perfection in this crowd-pleasing dish. These quesadillas combine tender, succulent shrimp with melty cheese and bold seasonings, all wrapped in a crispy tortilla. They're perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious but don't have hours to spend in the kitchen. Plus, they're versatile enough to serve as an appetizer, lunch, or main course.

Ingredients

The Shrimp Filling:

• Medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Olive oil
• Garlic, minced
• Chili powder
• Ground cumin
• Paprika
• Cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh lime juice

Assembly:

• Flour tortillas (8-inch diameter)
• Mexican cheese blend, shredded
• Bell pepper, thinly sliced
• Red onion, thinly sliced
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Vegetable oil for cooking

Serving:

• Pico de gallo
• Guacamole
• Sour cream
• Hot sauce
• Lime wedges

Instructions

Prepare the Shrimp

1. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to ensure proper searing
2. In a large bowl, combine shrimp with olive oil, minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne (if using), salt, and black pepper
3. Let the shrimp marinate for 5-10 minutes while preparing other ingredients

Cook the Shrimp

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat
2. Add the seasoned shrimp to the hot skillet in a single layer
3. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and slightly charred
4. Remove from heat and roughly chop into bite-sized pieces
5. Toss with fresh lime juice and set aside

Assemble the Quesadillas

1. Lay out a tortilla on a clean work surface
2. Sprinkle ½ cup of cheese evenly over one half of the tortilla
3. Add a portion of the chopped shrimp
4. Top with sliced bell peppers, red onion, and cilantro
5. Add another sprinkle of cheese (this helps hold everything together)
6. Fold the empty half over the filled half

Cook the Quesadillas

1. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat
2. Add a small amount of vegetable oil
3. Place the assembled quesadilla in the pan
4. Cook for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy
5. Carefully flip and cook the other side for 2 minutes
6. Remove to a cutting board and repeat with remaining quesadillas

Pro Tips for Perfect Shrimp Quesadilla Recipe

• Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking shrimp - work in batches if necessary
• Pat shrimp dry before seasoning to ensure better browning
• Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded for better melting
• Double the cheese layer (both under and over the filling) to help hold ingredients together
• Let quesadillas rest for 1 minute before cutting to prevent filling from spilling out

Recipe Variations & Substitutions

• Make it spicier by adding diced jalapeños or chipotle peppers
• Swap Mexican cheese blend for pepper jack or Oaxaca cheese
• Use corn tortillas instead of flour for a gluten-free option
• Add corn, black beans, or diced tomatoes for extra texture and flavor
• Try whole wheat tortillas for added fiber
• Make it low-carb by using cauliflower tortillas

Equipment For Shrimp Quesadilla Recipe

• Large skillet or griddle
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Cheese grater (if using block cheese)
• Measuring spoons
• Spatula for flipping
• Paper towels

Storage Instructions

• Store assembled but uncooked quesadillas: Wrap individually in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours
• Store leftover cooked quesadillas: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days
• Reheat in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side to maintain crispiness
• Not recommended for freezing as the texture may become soggy

FAQ

A Bite of Tradition, A Taste of Love

Every bite of this Shrimp Quesadilla carries the warmth of my abuela’s kitchen, where simple ingredients transform into something extraordinary with a touch of tradition and love. Whether it’s the citrus-kissed shrimp, the perfectly toasted tortillas, or the rich aroma of garlic-infused oil, these little secrets make all the difference. Now, it’s your turn to bring this magic to your own kitchen. Make this recipe, share it with family and friends, and create memories just like my abuela did. Because at the heart of every perfect quesadilla isn’t just cheese or shrimp—it’s the love you fold into it.

Want to explore more comforting Mexican flavors? Try our Mexican Chicken Soup Recipe for a cozy, flavorful bowl or spice things up with our Buffalo Chicken Quesadilla Recipe for a bold twist on a classic favorite!

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Easy Shrimp Quesadilla Recipe

Transform your kitchen into a Mexican cantina with this mouthwatering Shrimp Quesadilla Recipe! Packed with perfectly seasoned shrimp, melty cheese, and crispy tortillas, this easy 20-minute meal delivers restaurant-quality flavors. Perfect for a quick dinner, entertaining guests, or a delicious appetizer.

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Course: Appetizer, LUNCH, Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex

Keyword: Best shrimp quesadilla recipe, Shrimp quesadilla recipe easy, Shrimp quesadilla recipe mexican

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Resting Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 quesadillas

Calories: 480kcal

Cost: $20

Equipment

• 1 Large skillet or griddle For cooking the quesadillas
• 1 Sharp knife For slicing ingredients
• 1 Cutting board For prepping shrimp and veggies
• 1 Cheese grater If using block cheese
• 1 set Measuring spoons For precise seasoning
• 1 Spatula For flipping quesadillas
• 1 roll Paper towels For drying shrimp before cooking

Ingredients

Shrimp Filling:

• 1 lb shrimp medium,peeled, deveined
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin ground
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
• salt & pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoon lime juice fresh

Assembly:

• 6 flour tortillas 8-inch diameter
• 3 cups Mexican cheese blend shredded
• 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
• 1 small red onion thinly sliced
• ¼ cup cilantro chopped
• 2 tablespoon vegetable oil for cooking

Serving:

• Pico de gallo optional
• Guacamole optional
• Sour cream optional
• Hot sauce optional
• Lime wedges for garnish

Instructions

• Pat shrimp dry.
• Mix shrimp with seasonings.
• Marinate for 5-10 minutes.
• Heat skillet over medium-high heat.
• Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side.
• Remove shrimp, chop into pieces.
• Toss shrimp with lime juice.
• Lay out tortilla on surface.
• Add cheese, shrimp, veggies, more cheese.
• Fold tortilla in half.
• Heat skillet, add oil.
• Cook quesadilla for 2-3 minutes per side.
• Remove, rest 1 minute, cut.

Notes

• Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Serve | Calories: 480kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 190mg | Sodium: 850mg | Potassium: 420mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 950IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 280mg | Iron: 3mg