Leftover Pulled Pork Quesadillas
Turn last night’s BBQ into something new with these cheesy Leftover Pulled Pork Quesadillas. Crispy, melty, and loaded with smoky flavor, they’re the perfect easy weeknight meal or game day snack!
Pulled Pork Quesadillas
We seriously love making quesadillas with leftover meat—it’s like a little dinnertime magic trick. Whether it’s pulled pork, chicken, steak, or even taco meat, tucking it between crispy tortillas with gooey cheese instantly feels like a whole new meal. It’s quick, satisfying, and endlessly customizable—perfect for busy weeknights when you want comfort food without the effort.
We can’t get enough of Tex-Mex—it’s our go-to for bold flavors and comforting, cheesy goodness. While I’m more of a Fajita Taco Salad girl, Mike is going for quesadillas every single time. When he comes home to quesadillas sizzling in the skillet, he’s a happy camper!
Why This Recipe Works:
- A creative way to use up leftover pulled pork
- Quick and easy to make with minimal prep
- Crispy on the outside, melty and cheesy inside
- Packed with smoky, savory BBQ flavor
- Perfect for lunch, dinner, or game day snacks
- Customizable with your favorite cheeses, veggies, or sauces
- Family-friendly and crowd-pleasing
- Freezer-friendly for make-ahead meals
Looking for other quesadilla recipes? Try our Carne Asada Quesadillas, Sweet Potato Black Bean Quesadillas, or Crispy Black Bean Tacos next.
What You’ll Need:
- our homemade refried beans
- tortillas – burrito-size low carb tortillas
- leftover pulled pork – from our Smoked Pork Butt Recipe or Slow Baked Pulled Pork
- barbecue sauce
- jarred jalapeños
- freshly shredded cheddar cheese
How to make Leftover Pulled Pork Quesadillas:
Step 1
Make refried beans. Heat a cast iron skillet to medium-high heat. Add some olive oil, and then the diced onions and jalapeño peppers. Sauté for a few minutes, or until veggies are soft. Then add the garlic, ground cumin, salt, and pepper – and stir for another 30 seconds. Add the pinto beans and continue cooking for several minutes until beans are heated through.
Spoon the veggie mixture into a food processor, and pulse until it’s completely pureed. Add butter, fresh lime juice, and pulse again. Then add water until the beans are nice and creamy. (We normally add about 1/4 cup of water.)
Step 2
Combine pork and sauce. Add leftover pulled pork to a microwavable bowl. Add the barbecue sauce and stir well. Then heat at 50% power to warm the pork.
Step 3
Assemble quesadillas. Use a couple of large boards to lay out tortillas. Spread refried beans over half of each tortilla. Then add the pork (with sauce), sliced jalapeños, and shredded cheese. Fold the tortillas tightly over the filling.
Step 4
Grill. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add avocado oil and when hot, add two quesadillas and cook on one side until browned. Then carefully flip the quesadillas to the other side and cook again until browned to your liking.
Repeat with remaining quesadillas.
Step 5
Serve. Slice quesadillas and serve with toppings like salsa, mashed avocado or guacamole, and pickled onions.
Store leftover quesadillas in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 3-4 days. To crisp up, heat up in skillet or air fryer.
What to serve with Pork Quesadillas:
- Salsa – Try our Grilled Salsa, Blender Salsa, or Easy Pico de Gallo.
- Corn – We love our Mexican Street Corn Kale Salad or Corn Dip with Cream Cheese.
- Rice – Try our Mexican Rice and Beans, Stovetop Cilantro Lime Rice, or Green Chile Rice.
Recipe FAQs:
A melty cheese like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella works great. You can also mix in pepper jack for a little kick.
You will need to heat up the pork slightly, especially since we’re mixing it with barbecue sauce.
Yes. Assemble and refrigerate for a few hours, or freeze and reheat in a skillet or oven for a quick meal.
Yes. Try sautéed onions, peppers, black beans, or corn.
Other Leftover Pork Recipes:
Got pork? We got ideas for you! Make one of the following pork recipes next!
Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)
xoxo ~Sue
Leftover Pulled Pork Quesadillas Recipe
Ingredients
For the refried beans:
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion – diced
- 1 medium jalapeno – diced
- 2 cloves garlic – minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste
- 30 oz. pinto beans – rinsed and drained
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 medium lime – freshly squeezed
- water to thin
Remaining ingredients:
- 6 large low-carb tortillas
- 4 cups leftover pulled pork
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 8 oz. cheddar cheese
- 1 cup jarred jalapeños
- avocado oil – to fry
To serve:
- avocado, salsa, pickled onions, etc. – to serve
Instructions
- Make refried beans. Heat a cast iron skillet to medium-high heat. Add some olive oil, and then the diced onions and peppers. Sauté for a few minutes, or until veggies are soft. Then add the garlic, ground cumin, salt, and pepper – and stir for another 30 seconds. Add the pinto beans and continue cooking for several minutes until beans are heated through.Spoon the veggie mixture into a food processor, and pulse until it’s completely pureed. Add butter, fresh lime juice, and pulse again. Then add water until the beans are nice and creamy. (We normally add about 1/4 cup of water.)1 Tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 medium onion, 1 medium jalapeno, 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, 30 oz. pinto beans, 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, 1/2 medium lime, water to thin
- Combine pork and sauce. Add leftover pulled pork to a microwavable bowl. Add the barbecue sauce and stir well. Then heat at 50% power to warm the pork.4 cups leftover pulled pork, 1 cup barbecue sauce
- Assemble quesadillas. Use a couple of large boards to lay out tortillas. Spread refried beans over half of each tortilla. Then add the pork (with sauce), sliced jalapeños, and shredded cheese. Fold the tortillas tightly over the filling.6 large low-carb tortillas, 1 cup jarred jalapeños, 8 oz. cheddar cheese
- Grill. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add avocado oil and when hot, add two quesadillas and cook on one side until browned. Then carefully flip the quesadillas to the other side and cook again until browned to your liking.Repeat with remaining quesadillas.avocado oil
- Serve. Slice quesadillas and serve with toppings like salsa, mashed avocado or guacamole, and pickled onions.avocado, salsa, pickled onions, etc.
Quesadillas will always be my favorite meal! The pork just hits!
I hear ya!