30-Minute Grilled BLT Quesadillas

Prep: 15 minCook: 5 min4 servingsmediumTex-Mex
Grilled BLT Quesadillas with Goat Cheese and Balsamic

These fusion quesadillas transform the classic BLT sandwich into a grilled tortilla creation with creamy cumin-spiced goat cheese, crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, and baby spinach. The balsamic vinegar adds a tangy brightness that complements the rich cheese and smoky bacon. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or casual entertaining when you want something familiar yet unexpected. The combination of textures from the crisp tortilla exterior to the melty cheese filling makes each bite satisfying.

Ingredients

4 servings
  • 4 large flour tortillas, 9 inch
    corn tortillas1:1gluten_free

    different texture

    Full guide →
  • 8 ounces soft fresh goat cheese
    cream cheese1:1vegetarian

    milder flavor

    Full guide →
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 lb tomatoes, stemmed & sliced 1/4-inch thick
  • 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
  • 8 pieces bacon, cooked until crisp and well drained then cut into 1-inch pieces
    turkey bacon1:1lower_fat

    less smoky

    Full guide →
  • 2 cups Baby Spinach
    arugula1:1vegetarian

    peppery flavor

    Full guide →
  • olive oil, for grilling

Instructions

  1. 1

    Place a tortilla on a clean workspace

  2. 2

    Mix the cheese and cumin in a mixing bowl until well blended

  3. 3

    Using a table knife or small rubber spatula, spread a fourth of the cheese mixture on the tortilla, going almost to the edges

  4. 4

    Arrange a fourth of the tomatoes on one half of the tortilla

  5. 5

    Drizzle the tomatoes with balsamic vinegar

  6. 6

    Lay a fourth of the bacon pieces over the tomatoes, then top with a fourth of the spinach

  7. 7

    Fold the tortilla in half and press down gently to secure the filling

  8. 8

    Repeat to make three more quesadillas

  9. 9

    Heat up your grill to medium-low, brush the grate with olive oil while it is still cool

  10. 10

    Brush the outside of the tortilla with olive oil

  11. 11

    When grill is hot, add the quesadillas in a single layer

  12. 12

    Using a spatula, press down on the quesadillas, and cook until grill marks appear, about two minutes

  13. 13

    Carefully turn the quesadillas over and cook until grill marks appear, about 2 minutes more

  14. 14

    Remove and cover loosely with foil to keep warm until all quesadillas are cooked

  15. 15

    Cut each tortilla into 3 wedges and arrange on a dinner or salad plate

Tips

Tip 1

Brush both the grill grate and tortilla exterior with olive oil to prevent sticking and achieve better browning

Tip 2

Press down gently with a spatula while cooking to help the cheese melt and bind the filling together

Tip 3

Keep finished quesadillas warm under foil while cooking the remaining ones to serve everything hot

Good to Know

Storage

Refrigerate assembled uncooked quesadillas up to 4 hours before grilling. Cooked quesadillas keep 2-3 days refrigerated.

Make Ahead

Assemble quesadillas up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerate. Cook bacon and slice tomatoes up to 1 day ahead.

Serve With

Serve immediately while hot and crispy. Cut into wedges for easy handling.

See pairing guide →

Common Mistakes

Watch

Use medium-low heat to avoid burning the tortilla before the cheese melts

Watch

Pat tomatoes dry with paper towels to prevent soggy quesadillas

Substitutions

Gluten-Free Swaps

flour tortillas
corn tortillas1:1gluten_free

different texture

Full guide →

General Alternatives

goat cheese
cream cheese1:1vegetarian

milder flavor

Full guide →
bacon
turkey bacon1:1lower_fat

less smoky

Full guide →
baby spinach
arugula1:1vegetarian

peppery flavor

Full guide →
Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I cook these in a skillet instead of on the grill?

Yes, cook in a skillet over medium heat for about 2 minutes per side until lightly browned and cheese is melted.

What if I don't have goat cheese?

Cream cheese, ricotta, or any soft spreadable cheese works well. Mix with cumin for best flavor.

How long will leftover quesadillas keep?

Store cooked quesadillas in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat in a dry skillet to restore crispiness.