Classic Shrimp Quesadilla Recipe

Shrimp quesadilla is an easy recipe that you can make for lunch or as a snack at night. Many also serve this item as an appetizer during small parties and events. The best part is that most ingredients for this shrimp quesadilla recipe will already be in your pantry.

If you want to try making classic shrimp quesadillas at home, you’re in the right place. We have the perfect recipe to help you cook the tastiest quesadilla with shrimp in no time.

The shrimp quesadilla recipe does not require complex cooking skills. You also don’t have to spend long in the kitchen. The preparation time for the recipe is 15 minutes or less.

Meanwhile, cooking the dish will not take more than 10 minutes. So you can enjoy a healthy snack or lunch within 25 minutes. This recipe will yield will one serving.

You can cut the shrimp quesadilla into four pieces if someone wants to share food with you. Another thing you don’t have to worry about is a high mess. Making this dish is easy and does not require working with different utensils, so there will be little or no mess to clean.

Shrimp Quesadilla Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you will require for our classic shrimp quesadilla recipe:

• Medium or small peeled shrimps – 0.25 pounds
• Chipotle powder – 0.25 tsp
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of black pepper (grounded)
• Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
• Extra virgin olive oil – 2.5 tsp
• Red onion (chopped) – 1 tbsp
• Chopped cilantro – 1 tbsp
• Salt for seasoning
• Pepper for seasoning
• Medium-sized tortillas – 2
• Monterey Jack cheese (shredded) – 0.5 cup
• Sliced avocado – 0.25
• Sour cream – 1 dollop

How to Make Classic Shrimp Quesadilla?

Here are the steps you must follow to make a classic shrimp quesadilla:

1. Add the shrimp to a medium-sized bowl.

2. Add a pinch of salt to the bowl using a teaspoon.

3. Then add black pepper and chipotle powder to the shrimp.

4. Use a spoon to mix the spices.

5. Pour lemon juice into the bowl and mix the ingredients again until all the shrimp are soaked in the lime juice.

6. Transfer the shrimp to a straining container to drain excess lemon juice.

7. Pour the extra virgin olive oil into a skillet and heat it over medium flame.

8. Add the marinated shrimp to the skillet and cook them.

9. Flip the prawns when one side turns slightly and allow the other side to cook. Be sure to remove the shrimp before they completely cook because the process will continue in the later steps.

10. Place one tortilla sheet on the same for cooking. Allow the sheet to turn slightly brown with some air pockets.

11. When one side is cooked, flip the tortilla to cook the second side.

12. Remove the cooked tortilla from the pan and add a second tortilla to the skillet.

13. Allow one side to cook until slightly brown air pockets form.

14. Add shredded cheese to the top of the tortilla.

15. Spread the cheese with a spoon before it starts to melt.

16. Add shrimp to the cheese and then put the red onions and cilantro on it.

17. You may use some salt and pepper for further seasoning. Remember this step is optional.

18. Take the cooked tortilla you made first and place it on the one in the pan.

19. Allow the tortillas to cook a bit, and use a palette knife to press the top tortilla against the shrimp.

20. Once the tortilla turns golden brown or crispy, remove it from the pan for serving.

21. You should serve the item with sliced avocado and sour cream for a better taste.

Tips to Make The Best Quesadilla with Shrimp

Below are some tips that will help you make this recipe better and enjoy a tastier quesadilla:

1. Defrost The Shrimps If They Are Frozen

Using frozen shrimp without defrosting them can reduce the taste of your dish. You should allow the ingredient to defrost by placing the shrimp in ice water in a bowl. The water will help the shrimp defrost faster and more easily.

2. Keep The Shrimps Aside If They Are Already Cooked

You may use cooked shrimp to make the dish to save more time. If so, you must alter the recipe to meet your needs. For instance, keep the shrimp on a plate after seasoning them with salt, pepper, cilantro, chipotle powder, and lime juice.

Cook both tortillas completely, one with melted cheese and the other plain. After removing them from the pan, you can add the shrimp and other ingredients to the tortillas. This method will prevent you from overcooking the shrimp.

3. Squeeze Lime Juice At The End

If you want to make your recipe tastier, use another lemon to garnish the dish after cooking. Add the lime juice to everything on the plate, such as the quesadilla and avocado.

This ingredient will enhance the taste of your dish and help you enjoy a zesty flavor. You may also cut your quesadilla using a pizza wheel to eat the dish more easily without making a mess.

4. Avoid Using High Heat

You may want to accelerate the cooking process of the tortillas by using high heat. However, you must avoid high flame to retain the flavors of your dish. The best way to cook crispy and flavorful quesadillas is by using medium heat to melt the cheese.

The best part about using medium heat is that it will reduce the risk of burning the dish. So you will not have to worry about your efforts going in vain.

Low heat may also be suitable for cooking the dish if you’re not in a rush. However, this may cause your tortilla to burn while the cheese melts. This is why medium flame is the best option for easily cooking tortillas without burning them.

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