🥩🍤 Creole Steak & Shrimp Quesadillas

Looking for a weeknight dinner or party appetizer that packs a massive punch of flavor? These Creole Steak & Shrimp Quesadillas bring the rich, zesty, and spicy magic of Louisiana straight to your kitchen. Tender strips of spiced steak, juicy Creole-seasoned shrimp, and gooey melted cheese are sandwiched inside a golden, crispy tortilla.

Whether you are cooking for game day or shaking up your taco night routine, this surf-and-turf recipe will become an instant favorite! 🌶️🧀🔥

🕒 Prep & Cook Info

• Prep time: 15 minutes 🔪
• Cook time: 20 minutes 🍳
• Total time: 35 minutes ⏱️
• Servings: 4 quesadillas 🍽️
• Difficulty: Easy 🌟

🛒 Ingredients

🥩 The Surf & Turf Fillings

• Steak: 8 oz (225g) sirloin or flank steak, sliced into thin strips
• Shrimp: 8 oz (225g) medium shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails removed (cut in half if large)
• Creole Seasoning: 2 tbsp total (store-bought or homemade blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, oregano, and thyme)
• Olive Oil: 2 tbsp (divided)
• Butter: 1 tbsp

🧀 Vegetables & Cheese

• Bell Pepper: 1 medium red or green bell pepper, thinly sliced 🫑
• Onion: 1 medium yellow or red onion, thinly sliced 🧅
• Garlic: 2 cloves, minced 🧄
• Cheese: 2 cups freshly shredded cheese (Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or a Creole/Mexican blend work best) 🧀

🌮 For Assembly

• Tortillas: 4 large flour tortillas (burrito size) 🫓
• Butter or Oil: 1-2 tbsp for crisping the tortillas

🥣 Creole Remoulade Sauce (Optional Dip)

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise 🍦
• 1 tbsp Creole or Dijon mustard 🧅
• 1 tsp hot sauce 🌶️
• 1 tsp lemon juice 🍋
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

      [ Step 1: Season & Prep ]
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     [ Step 2: Cook Veggies ]
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     [ Step 3: Sear Steak & Shrimp ]
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      [ Step 4: Assemble & Grill ]
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       [ Step 5: Slice & Serve ]

Step 1: Prep & Season

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, hot sauce, lemon juice, and smoked paprika to make the Creole Remoulade. Cover and set aside in the fridge.
2. In separate bowls, toss the steak strips with 1 tbsp of Creole seasoning and 1 tsp of olive oil. Toss the shrimp with the remaining 1 tbsp of Creole seasoning.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

1. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the sliced onion and bell pepper. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until soft and lightly charred.
3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Transfer the vegetables to a plate and set aside. 🫑🧅

Step 3: Cook the Steak & Shrimp

1. In the same skillet over high heat, add the seasoned steak strips. Cook for 2–3 minutes until browned on all sides and cooked to your liking. Remove and set aside with the vegetables.
2. Lower the heat to medium, add 1 tbsp of butter, and toss in the shrimp. Cook for 2–3 minutes until they turn pink and opaque. Do not overcook! Remove from heat. 🥩🍤

Step 4: Assemble the Quesadillas

1. Wipe the skillet clean or heat a flat griddle over medium heat. Lightly brush one side of each flour tortilla with butter or oil.
2. Place a tortilla butter-side-down in the pan.
3. On one half of the tortilla, layer:
   • A handful of shredded cheese 🧀
   • Cooked steak, shrimp, and sautéed peppers & onions 🥩🍤🫑
   • Another sprinkle of cheese (this acts as the “glue”)
4. Fold the other half of the tortilla over the filling to form a half-moon shape.

Step 5: Crisp to Golden Perfection

1. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the bottom is crisp and golden brown.
2. Carefully flip and cook the other side for another 2–3 minutes until the cheese is completely melted and the shell is crunchy. Repeat for all tortillas. 🔥

🍽️ Serving Suggestions & Tips

• Slice: Let the quesadillas rest for 1 minute before slicing them into wedges using a pizza cutter. 🍕
• Garnish: Top with fresh chopped cilantro, green onions, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. 🍋
• Dipping: Serve hot alongside your chilled Creole Remoulade, guacamole, or fresh salsa. 🥑

💡 Chef’s Tips for Success:

• Freshly Shredded Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that hinder melting. Shredding your own block of Pepper Jack or Monterey Jack makes a huge difference! 🧀
• Don’t Overfill: It can be tempting to pile on the meat, but overfilling makes flipping difficult and results in spilled ingredients. Keep it balanced! ⚖️
• Prep Ahead: You can cook the steak, shrimp, and veggies ahead of time and store them in the fridge. Assemble and grill when you’re ready to eat! 🕒

📊 Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: ~580 kcal
• Protein: 38g 💪
• Carbs: 36g 🌾
• Fat: 32g 🥑
• Fiber: 3g 🥦