Easy Quesadillas with Leftover Pulled Pork Carnitas

Name: Easy Quesadillas with Leftover Pulled Pork Carnitas
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of BUTTER (Extra Virgin Olive oil is a suitable substitute).; 1 medium RED ONION finely chopped.; 1 tablespoon of BALSAMIC VINEGAR (key ingredient to add a zing and sweetness).; 1/2 teaspoon of SALT; 1/4 teaspoon of BLACK PEPPER.; 2 Cups of our recipe for LEFTOVER PULLED PORK CARNITAS.; 1 1/2 Cups of SHREDDED CHEESE (Any cheese that will melt and pair nicely with the other Latin flavors in this recipe.); 6 FLOUR TORTILLAS (large size) (corn tortillas are not recommended); 1/2 Cup of CORN KERNELS (frozen or canned); 1/2 Cup of BLACK BEANS (drained); 1/2 Cup diced of RED BELL PEPPERS (any color you like); 1 tablespoon of MELTED BUTTER; FRESH CILANTRO (optional but recommended).

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe· 5 from 7 reviews

This recipe for delicious and Easy Quesadillas With Leftover Pulled Pork Carnitas will help you turn your leftover pulled pork carnitas into a fantastic, mouthwatering meal that'll make you forget you're eating leftovers.

In this easy recipe, I will provide all the steps you need to know to create Quesadillas in just 30 minutes while incorporating staple ingredients. Let's dive in!

Quesadillas with leftover Pulled Pork Carnitas served with toppings

We've all been there. You made a batch of yummy crispy pork carnitas (like this EASY PORK CARNITAS recipe) made with our modern twist to the traditional Mexican dish. Now you've got leftovers waiting in the fridge. What are the best ways to use leftover pulled pork carnitas? Pulled Pork quesadillas!

This tasty recipe is about to become your FAVORITE way to use that leftover pulled pork. It's the perfect easy meal solution for busy weeknights, and it comes together in a flash with fresh toppings and that leftover pork roast you just don't know what to do with. Consider this your next-day dinner hero.

Jump to:

Why You Will Love These Quesadillas with Leftover Pulled Pork Carnitas
Looking for other Easy recipes using leftover pulled pork carnitas?
Equipment or Kitchen tools you'll need
My Top 3 Tips for the Best Quesadillas
Carnitas Quesadillas Ingredients & Substitutions
How to Make Pork Carnitas Quesadillas
How to Store Leftover Quesadillas
Quesadillas Frequently Asked Questions
⭐Leave a review!
Other Main Dishes and Dinner Recipes
Latin Inspired Desserts you may like
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Why You Will Love These Quesadillas with Leftover Pulled Pork Carnitas

There's a reason we're calling this recipe EASY. Here's why you'll be singing its praises:

QUICK AND EASY: When you've got leftover pork on hand, there's minimal prep involved, and these quesadillas are ready in no time! With simple ingredients like canned beans, corn, and chopped veggies, you can whip this up faster than deciding what to watch on Netflix! 😂. Other quick meal ideas with leftover pulled pork carnitas include these PORK FAJITAS and these PORK SANDWHICHES (CUBAN Style!)
MAKE-AHEAD FRIEND: Planning ahead? No problem. You can prepare these quesadillas and refrigerate or freeze them for a quick meal anytime. (See reheating instructions below!) Your future self will thank you.😊
VERSATILE: The beauty of this recipe is that it's easily customizable with your favorite toppings. Don't like corn? Leave it out! Prefer a spicier kick? Add some chopped jalapeños! Change up the cheese or add avocado. You'll never get bored with this one! 😎

These Mexican pork quesadillas are the perfect solution for using leftover shredded pork! And we hope this recipe becomes your new family favorite. Don't be surprised if you make extra carnitas next time just to have leftovers! 😉

Looking for other Easy recipes using leftover pulled pork carnitas?

Equipment or Kitchen tools you'll need

No need for fancy equipment to make this easy recipe. Here's what to grab:

Frying pan or large skillet
Spatula (for flipping the quesadillas)
Cutting board and knife (for chopping the veggies).

My Top 3 Tips for the Best Quesadillas

Use One Tortilla to Make Half-Moon Quesadillas: Put the filling on one side only, then fold the tortilla over. This makes filling, cooking, and turning a breeze.
Avoid Overstuffing: Keep it simple — Too much filling can make quesadillas soggy and difficult to flip. Keep it light and melty!
Use Medium Heat: This ensures the filling heats through, the cheese melts nicely, and the quesadilla gets nice and crispy without burning.

Carnitas Quesadillas Ingredients & Substitutions

Our Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas Recipe is the base of this quesadillas Recipe.

The flavor behind these quesadillas starts with one of our favorite pork recipes, our Mexican Pulled Pork made from slow-cooked pork butt or pork shoulder roast. This recipe keeps on giving — juicy pork, crispy edges, with Mexican spices like chili powder and citrus like orange and lime juice that take this dish to the next level. You know what’s even better? You’ve got lots of leftovers to make quesadillas.

At our home, we make a batch of carnitas and pack it into freezer bags for later use. Always!

Carnitas (Slow Cooker Mexican Pulled Pork) served on grey dish

Additional ingredients you’ll need to make this Carnitas Quesadillas Recipe

Ingredients for the Caramelized Onions

ingredients for caramelized onions filling for Quesadillas with leftover Pulled Pork Carnitas

BUTTER - Gives a richer flavor, but olive oil works too.
RED ONION – We prefer red onions, but any onion will do in a pinch.
BALSAMIC VINEGAR - Adds an extra zing and touch of sweetness.
SALT and BLACK PEPPER.

See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.

Quesadillas Filling Ingredients

filling ingredients for Quesadillas with leftover Pulled Pork Carnitas

LEFTOVER PORK CARNITAS - the delicious base for these quesadillas.
SHREDDED CHEESE - Quesadilla, cheddar, Monterey Jack. Any cheese that will melt and pair nicely with the other Latin flavors in this recipe.
FLOUR TORTILLAS (large size) - Corn tortillas are not recommended as they are a little too delicate to use for quesadillas.
CORN KERNELS - Frozen or canned.
BLACK BEANS - Canned is fine, just drain them.
RED BELL PEPPERS - Any color you like.
MELTED BUTTER - For greasing the pan.
FRESH CILANTRO - Optional but recommended.

How to Make Pork Carnitas Quesadillas

Step 1 - Prepare the Caramelized Onions

caramelizing onions in a pan for quesadillas with leftover pulled Pork carnitas

Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped red onion, salt, and black pepper.
Cook until the onions are soft and caramelized with a golden color—about 10 minutes.

Add the balsamic vinegar and cook for another 2 minutes.

Step 2 - Prepare the Remaining Quesadilla Filling Ingredients

filling ingredients for quesadillas with leftover pulled Pork carnitas in a glass bowl

Mix the pulled pork, black beans, corn, red peppers, and caramelized onions in a bowl.

filling ingredients for quesadillas with leftover pulled Pork carnitas mixed in a glass bowl

Toss everything together until evenly distributed. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 3 - Build the Quesadillas

cooking quesadillas with leftover pulled Pork carnitas filling in a skillet

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a bit of melted butter to coat the pan. Spread a couple of spoonsful of the meat mixture onto half a tortilla. Be careful to fill your quesadillas sparingly, as they may be challenging to flip and cook evenly.

cooking quesadillas in a skillet filled with leftover pulled Pork carnitas filling and sprinkled with cheese

Add a handful of shredded cheese on top and fold the tortilla over.
Repeat the process with a second tortilla to cook two quesadillas at once.

Step 4 - Cook the Quesadillas

Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is golden brown and crispy.

cooked quesadillas in a skillet with leftover pulled Pork carnitas

Step 5 - Serve and Enjoy

Slice the quesadilla into wedges and serve immediately with your fresh toppings like guacamole or avocado, or fresh cilantro, salsa, sour cream, or dipped in this delicious Garlic Cilantro Sauce —anything you enjoy with quesadillas. Dig into the delicious flavors!

How to Store Leftover Quesadillas

Got extras? Don’t let food waste get the best of you! Store leftover quesadillas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. To reheat, simply place them in a skillet over low heat until warmed through.

How to freeze leftover pulled pork carnitas for later

Place one cup of leftover carnitas in a freezer safe bag, remove the excess air, seal and flatten the bag. Flattening the bag makes thawing quicker.

With this Easy Quesadillas With Leftover Pulled Pork Carnitas recipe, you can turn leftover meat into a satisfying and delicious meal that we hope becomes one of our favorite weeknight dinners!

Leftover Pulled Pork Carnitas served with toppings

Bookmark this recipe for pork quesadillas, and next time you’re staring at that container of carnitas, you’ll know exactly what to do. Enjoy this delightful dish and be sure to share it with friends!

Quesadillas Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reheat leftover quesadillas?

Yes, place the quesadillas in a skillet over low heat until warmed through or in the oven at 300 degrees Farengheit for 8-10 minutes.

What sauce goes with quesadillas?

Quesadillas are a versatile dish that pairs well with many different sauces. The best part is you can customize them! Some popular choices include salsa, sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, and salsa verde. Try our Smoky Salsa Verde recipe made with Tomatillos and Chipotles, Garlic Cilantro Sauce, or this Green Sauce with avocado, yogurt, cilantro, and spices. Delicious! Tortilla Chips, Refried Beans, or Rice are great on the side.

Can I use store-bought pulled pork for this recipe?

Sure, but nothing beats homemade! If you’re short on time, store-bought will make this recipe even easier.

What else can I make with Leftover Pulled Pork Carnitas?

These quesadillas are just the beginning. Other creative dishes with leftover pulled pork carnitas are Leftover Pulled Pork Tacos, (aka our favorite Carnitas Tacos!), our Pork Sandwich, and this Carnitas Fajitas recipe. Other creative ways for using leftover pulled pork include burritos, burrito bowls, pork enchiladas, pork nachos, and chili. You can create so many delicious recipes with carnitas!

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