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Close-up of stacked quesadillas filled with shredded meat, melted cheese, and onions, perfect for leftover ribs recipes.

Leftover Rib Quesadillas

Make quesadillas using leftover ribs, beans, onions, peppers, and cheese wrapped in a flour tortilla.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 2 quesadillas
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Quesadilla Components
  • 2 large burrito flour tortillas
  • 1 cup leftover ribs, chopped About 5-6 ribs
  • 4 ounces mild cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 4 ounces jalapeño jack cheese, shredded
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 3 fresh jalapeños, cored and sliced
  • 1/2 can refried beans
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tbsp salsa or hot sauce
  • 2 tbsp butter softened Not melted
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Equipment

  • Small saucepan
  • Medium saute pan
  • Large saute pan
  • Microwave

Method
 

  1. Heat refried beans in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in cumin and hot sauce or salsa. Reduce heat to low.
  2. Heat olive oil in a medium saute pan over medium heat. Add onions and peppers. Saute until soft, about 10 minutes. Add one tablespoon of water periodically and cover to steam the vegetables if needed to soften them faster.
  3. When the onions and peppers are soft, add the chopped rib meat. Saute for about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
  4. Heat one large flour tortilla in the microwave for about 10 seconds to soften it.
  5. Smear about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the bean mixture on half of the tortilla. Layer on about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of the rib meat and pepper mixture. Add a layer of shredded cheese.
  6. Fold the other half of the tortilla over. Smear a thin layer of butter on one side of the folded quesadilla.
  7. Heat a large saute pan over medium heat. When the pan is hot, add the folded quesadilla buttered side down. While it cooks, butter the other side.
  8. After about 3 minutes, flip the quesadilla and cook for another 3 minutes until the tortilla reaches a golden brown color.
  9. Repeat the process for the second tortilla if your pan is not large enough to fit two at once.
  10. Serve with your favorite dippers like sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or queso.

Notes

You can use any leftover cooked meat in place of ribs if you do not have them available.