Smoky chipotle-rubbed skirt steak is grilled, sliced, then sandwiched in tortillas with plenty of Monterey Jack cheese.

Game plan: To prep for tailgating, season the steak with the chipotle, salt, and pepper; mix the cheeses together; and dice up the jalapeños before heading to the stadium. Assemble the quesadillas at the grill.

You’ll need to make the Pickled Jalapeños, Salsa, and Guacamole ahead of time. Store-bought versions would work fine too.

This dish was featured as part of our photo gallery of Tailgating Recipes.

  • Yields: 4 (10-inch) quesadillas (10 to 12 servings)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Total: 1 hr 10 mins

Ingredients (12)

  • 1 pound skirt steak, cut widthwise into 6- to 8-inch pieces
  • 1 chipotle in adobo sauce, finely chopped
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Vegetable oil, for oiling the grill
  • 12 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded on the large holes of a box grater (about 5 cups)
  • 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded on the large holes of a box grater (about 2 cups)
  • 8 (10-inch) flour tortillas
  • 1/3 cup small-dice jarred or homemade Pickled Jalapeños (see Game Plan note)
  • Ancho Chile Salsa, for serving (see Game Plan note)
  • Guacamole, for serving
  • Sour cream, for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat an outdoor grill to high (about 400°F to 500°F). Pat the steak pieces dry with paper towels and lay flat. Brush the chipotle on one side of the steak pieces. Season both sides of each piece generously with salt and pepper.
  2. When the grill is ready, use tongs to rub the grate with several layers of paper towels dipped in vegetable oil. Place the steak pieces on the grill and cook until medium rare, flipping halfway through the cooking time, about 5 to 6 minutes total. Remove to a cutting board and let rest for 2 minutes. Cut into medium dice and set aside.
  3. Clean the grate with a grill brush or with tongs and a wadded piece of aluminum foil, then rub again with oiled paper towels.
  4. Combine the cheeses in a medium bowl. Place 2 tortillas side by side on a clean cutting board or 2 plates. Sprinkle each tortilla with a quarter of the steak, jalapeños, and cheese mixture. Top each tortilla with another tortilla and gently press down.
  5. Carefully slide the quesadillas from the cutting board or plates onto the grill. Cover the grill and cook, rotating 90 degrees halfway through the cooking time, until the cheese is completely melted, the tortillas are crispy, and grill marks have appeared on the bottom, about 3 to 4 minutes total. Using a spatula, carefully flip the quesadillas over and repeat cooking and rotating until the bottom tortillas are crispy, about 2 to 3 minutes more. Using a spatula, transfer the quesadillas to a cutting board and let rest for 2 minutes. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling to make 2 more quesadillas.
  6. Cut each quesadilla into wedges and serve with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.