Quick Black Bean Corn Quesadillas (Printable Version)

Savory quesadillas bursting with black beans, sweet corn, and melted cheese in under 20 minutes.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables & Beans

01 - 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 cup canned or frozen corn kernels, thawed if frozen
03 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced
04 - 2 green onions, finely sliced
05 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)

→ Dairy

06 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack

→ Spices & Seasonings

07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
09 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Other

10 - 4 large flour tortillas (8–10 inches)
11 - 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter

# Method:

01 - In a medium bowl, mix black beans, corn, red bell pepper, green onions, jalapeño if using, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
02 - Warm 1/2 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
03 - Place one tortilla flat in the skillet. Sprinkle 1/4 of the cheese over half the tortilla, then add 1/4 of the bean and corn mixture. Fold the tortilla to form a half-moon shape.
04 - Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese is fully melted. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling, adding oil as needed.
05 - Cut each quesadilla into wedges and serve hot with optional sides such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than ordering takeout, and you probably have most of the ingredients already.
  • The combination of sweet corn and smoky cumin makes every bite feel more interesting than it has any right to be.
  • You can double the batch and freeze extras, which has saved me more times than I can count.
02 -
  • Do not overstuff the tortilla or it will split open when you try to flip it, and you will lose half the filling to the pan.
  • If the tortilla is browning too fast but the cheese is not melting, lower the heat slightly and give it more time.
03 -
  • Press down gently with your spatula while cooking to help the cheese melt evenly and seal the edges.
  • If you are making a big batch, keep finished quesadillas warm in a low oven while you cook the rest.
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