Description
A quick and easy weeknight dinner featuring lean ground venison seasoned with cumin and chili powder, combined with melty cheese inside crispy flour tortillas.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground venison
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (sharp cheddar or Mexican blend)
- ½ medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Optional toppings: sour cream, salsa, sliced jalapeños, fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, sauté until soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Add ground venison, breaking it up with a spatula. Sprinkle in cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until venison is browned and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes.
- Transfer cooked venison mixture to a mixing bowl. Stir in 1 cup shredded cheese while warm to melt slightly and bind the mixture.
- Lay one flour tortilla flat. Spread a quarter of the venison-cheese mixture evenly over half the tortilla. Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons extra cheese on top, then fold tortilla over to form a half-moon.
- Wipe skillet if needed and place back on medium heat. Cook folded quesadilla for 3-4 minutes per side, pressing gently with spatula, until golden brown and cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining quesadillas.
- Cut each quesadilla into thirds or quarters and serve warm with optional toppings like sour cream, salsa, or fresh cilantro.
Notes
Use medium heat to avoid burning tortillas before cheese melts. Press gently with spatula while cooking for crispy edges. Ground beef or turkey can substitute venison but will lack gamey flavor. Corn tortillas can be used for gluten-free option but warm first to prevent cracking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 quesadilla
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: venison quesadilla, ground venison recipe, easy weeknight dinner, savory quesadilla, quick dinner, game meat recipe