Quesadilla

What is Quesadilla?

A quesadilla is made by folding a tortilla around a filling, most often cheese, and heating it until the cheese melts. The tortilla can be made from corn or wheat flour. Common additions include cooked meats like chicken or pork, vegetables such as squash blossoms or mushrooms, and toppings like salsa, avocado, or onions. Some versions are fried until crisp, while others are simply cooked on a griddle. The result is a warm, melty snack or meal with a crisp or tender exterior and a savory, gooey center.

Where does Quesadilla come from?

Quesadillas trace their roots to colonial Mexico and have evolved in different regions. In central and southern Mexico, they are usually made with corn tortillas and Oaxaca cheese, sometimes with fillings like tinga, chicharron, or huitlacoche. In northern Mexico, flour tortillas and local cheeses like Chihuahua or queso menonita are common. In Mexico City, quesadillas may not always contain cheese, which differs from the rest of the country. The dish has spread internationally, especially to the United States, where it has become a staple in Mexican restaurants.

How is Quesadilla made?

To make a quesadilla, a tortilla is warmed on a griddle or comal, then filled with cheese and other ingredients. It is folded in half and cooked until the cheese melts. Some versions use two tortillas with the filling sandwiched between them. Quesadillas can also be fried for a crisp texture. Fillings can include meats, vegetables, and spices, and toppings like salsa or guacamole are often added before serving.

How and when is Quesadilla eaten?

Quesadillas are eaten as a snack, lunch, or dinner, both at home and from street vendors. In Mexico, they are commonly served with salsa, chopped onions, and sometimes avocado or guacamole. In the United States, they are often cut into wedges and served as appetizers or main dishes, sometimes with sour cream or other dips. They can be eaten by hand and are popular for their convenience and variety.

Kinds of Quesadilla

There are many regional and modern versions of quesadillas. In Oaxaca, large corn tortillas filled with cheese and other ingredients are called empanadas. In the United States, quesadillas often use Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese and may include ingredients like black beans, spinach, or even breakfast items such as eggs and bacon. Dessert quesadillas with sweet fillings like chocolate or fruit also exist. Fried quesadillas, or quesadillas fritas, offer a crispier alternative.

What Quesadilla means

Quesadillas are a familiar part of daily life in Mexico and have become widely recognized abroad. They are sold in restaurants and by street vendors, and are often adapted to local tastes. In Mexico City, the expectation that a quesadilla contains cheese is debated, reflecting regional food culture. In the United States, quesadillas have become a popular appetizer and are sometimes made with nontraditional ingredients.

Questions people ask about Quesadilla

Good reading and sources

• What is this chicken-stuffed deep-fried pizzadilla and why is it all over the internet?The Guardian, Article
• Where there’s no queso in quesadillaBBC, Article

• Quesadilla on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data