Irresistible BBQ Pulled Pork Quesadillas: Your Go-To Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Recipe

Get ready for a flavor explosion with these easy-to-make BBQ Pulled Pork Quesadillas! Featuring perfectly crispy, gluten-free flour tortillas generously stuffed with tender, mouthwatering pulled pork, tangy barbecue sauce, and gooey, melty dairy-free cheddar cheese, this dish is a guaranteed family favorite. It’s a dinner win that satisfies every palate!

Discover our expert tips and essential ingredient guide to craft the ultimate crispy and satisfying Mexican-inspired sandwich. Whether you prefer cooking on the stovetop, an electric griddle, or a dedicated quesadilla maker, we’ll show you how to achieve perfection every time.

This recipe is our absolute favorite way to transform leftover pulled pork into a brand new, exciting meal. The delightful combination of succulent meat, our special sticky-sweet sauce, and creamy melted dairy-free cheese, all encased in a perfectly toasted, buttery, gluten-free tortilla, is truly something special. You’ll find yourself looking forward to these Easy BBQ Pulled Pork Quesadillas again and again.

Finally, a quick, simple, and family-friendly dinner idea that’s perfect for busy weeknights and ideal for budget-conscious cooking. You can significantly save on your grocery bill by utilizing leftover pulled pork, just as we do. We highly recommend purchasing a larger cut of pork, such as a Boston butt, to ensure you have enough for at least two delicious meals.

Essential Ingredients for Easy BBQ Pulled Pork Quesadillas

• Dairy-Free Butter: Crucial for achieving those perfectly golden-brown, crispy tortillas.
• Pulled Pork: For the best results, we wholeheartedly recommend using a Boston butt pork shoulder, also known as pork shoulder or pork butt. This cut yields incredibly tender, shreddable meat that’s full of flavor. Scroll down for more details on preparing it.
• Brown Sugar (packed): Adds a delightful sweetness and helps create that signature sticky barbecue glaze for your pork.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Provides a depth of flavor and a slight tang that balances the sweetness of the brown sugar in the pork mixture.
• Salt: A dash to enhance all the savory notes.
• Ground Black Pepper: Adds a hint of warmth and spice.
• Gluten-Free Flour Tortillas: We’ve had great success with soft Mission Brand Certified GF Flour Tortillas, known for their pliability and excellent texture when heated. Corn tortillas are also a fantastic option if you prefer. For a deconstructed version, you can even skip the tortillas and enjoy this delicious mixture in a bowl!
• Dairy-Free Cheddar Cheese Alternative: This is where the magic happens! We consistently use Follow Your Heart Finely Shredded Cheddar Cheese because it melts beautifully and achieves that satisfyingly gooey texture as the quesadillas cook. Many others also enjoy Daiya Mozzarella Shreds for their similar melt characteristics.
• Gluten-Free BBQ Sauce: A good quality BBQ sauce is key to the flavor profile. Our pantry staple is Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce, and you can check their allergen statement here for peace of mind. Another excellent and safe brand is Gayle’s Sweet ‘N’ Sassy BBQ Sauce.
• Dairy-Free Sour Cream: An optional but highly recommended topping for a cool, tangy contrast.
• Optional Toppings: Elevate your quesadillas with fresh chopped green onions, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, or finely diced red onions for added crunch and flavor.

Essential Kitchen Utensils for This Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Recipe

• Slow Cooker: Indispensable for preparing perfectly tender, fall-apart pulled pork with minimal effort. It ensures the meat is juicy and ready for shredding.
• Electric Griddle or Large Frying Pan: While a large frying pan works well on the stovetop, we highly recommend using a large electric griddle for this recipe. Its expansive surface allows you to cook multiple quesadillas simultaneously (up to 8!), significantly speeding up dinner preparation and making it much more efficient.
• Cutting Board or Plate: Essential for resting and shredding the cooked pork.
• Pizza Cutter or Sharp Knife: For effortlessly slicing your crispy quesadillas into neat, manageable wedges. A pizza cutter is particularly convenient for clean cuts.

Frequently Asked Questions About BBQ Pulled Pork Quesadillas

What type of pork is best for pulled pork?

For truly exceptional pulled pork, a Boston butt pork shoulder is hands down the best choice. This cut, sometimes simply labeled “pork shoulder” or “pork butt” (despite being from the shoulder), contains a good amount of marbling and connective tissue. When cooked slowly, these break down, yielding incredibly tender, juicy meat that practically falls apart, perfect for shredding. Unlike leaner cuts such as pork loin, which can become dry and resistant to shredding, the Boston butt ensures a moist, flavorful result every time, offering more succulent meat for your money. We often keep an eye out for sales on Boston butt pork shoulders and stock up by freezing a couple for future meals. Both bone-in and boneless varieties work wonderfully, just adjust cooking time slightly if bone-in.

How should the pork be prepared for these quesadillas?

Our preferred method for preparing shredded pork is in a slow cooker. Simply cook it on high for 5-6 hours or on low for 8 hours. To enhance tenderness and flavor, we add about ½ cup of water and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to the slow cooker with the pork before starting. The apple cider vinegar is a fantastic tenderizer! Once cooked, carefully remove the pork to a cutting board or a large plate. It’s crucial to allow the meat to rest for at least 15 minutes; this helps redistribute the juices, ensuring a more succulent final product. After resting, use two forks to easily pull the meat apart into shreds. If a slow cooker isn’t an option, you can also achieve excellent results using your oven (low and slow braising) or an Instant Pot (pressure cooking for speed). A crucial safety note: the USDA advises against adding frozen meat directly to a slow cooker. Always ensure your pork shoulder is thoroughly thawed in the refrigerator before cooking to prevent bacterial growth.

Can these quesadillas be made ahead of time?

While we often use pre-cooked leftover pulled pork for this recipe, making the assembly quick, we generally recommend preparing and toasting the quesadillas right before serving for the best possible taste and texture. They are at their crispiest and cheesiest immediately after cooking. However, any leftovers make for a truly satisfying and easy lunch idea the next day! We wouldn’t suggest assembling several quesadillas hours in advance for guests, as the tortillas can lose their crispness and become somewhat soggy. For optimal enjoyment, always cook them fresh on a griddle or skillet.

Can these also be made in a quesadilla maker?

Absolutely, a quesadilla maker is an excellent tool for this recipe, and the process is just as straightforward! To use, simply preheat your quesadilla maker and lightly spray it with a non-stick cooking spray. Lay one tortilla down as the base. Evenly layer your pulled pork mixture and dairy-free cheese over one half of the tortilla, leaving the other half clear. Then, fold the empty half over the filling, or place a second tortilla on top, depending on your maker’s design. Close the quesadilla maker and allow it to heat for about 4-5 minutes, or until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese is thoroughly melted. Carefully remove, slice with a pizza cutter, and then top with your favorite garnishes like more dairy-free cheese, chopped green onions, fresh cilantro, and serve with BBQ sauce and dairy-free sour cream. This method is also fantastic for our taco-inspired quesadilla recipe, but remember you can always achieve great results on a griddle or stovetop too!

What dairy-free cheese tastes best for quesadillas?

Ultimately, the best dairy-free cheese is always the one you enjoy most! However, if you’re on the hunt for a new brand that truly mimics the melt and texture of traditional cheese, we highly recommend our go-to: Follow Your Heart Finely Shredded Cheddar. It achieves that perfect gooey consistency we all love in a quesadilla. Another popular choice that many have found success with is Daiya Mozzarella Shreds, which also melts well and offers a mild flavor that pairs beautifully with the rich pulled pork. Experiment with different brands to find your personal favorite, ensuring it’s designed to melt effectively for optimal quesadilla goodness.

Tips for Crafting the Perfect BBQ Pulled Pork Quesadillas

• Achieve Maximum Crispness: Don’t overcrowd your griddle or pan. Cooking fewer quesadillas at a time allows for better heat distribution and ensures a consistently crispy exterior. A touch of dairy-free butter or cooking spray on both sides of the tortilla before cooking helps achieve that golden-brown finish.
• Even Filling Distribution: Spread the pulled pork and cheese evenly across one half of the tortilla. This prevents uneven heating and ensures every bite is packed with flavor. Avoid overfilling, as this can make folding difficult and lead to spillage.
• Medium Heat is Key: Cook quesadillas over medium heat. Too high, and the tortillas will burn before the cheese melts. Too low, and they won’t get crispy. Patience is a virtue here!
• Spice It Up (Optional): For a little extra kick, consider mixing a dash of cayenne pepper or a pinch of smoked paprika into your pulled pork mixture before assembling. Canned roasted and diced green chiles (as mentioned in the ingredients) are also a fantastic addition for a mild, smoky heat.

Serving Suggestions for BBQ Pulled Pork Quesadillas

While these quesadillas are incredibly satisfying on their own, pairing them with the right sides can elevate your meal even further. Besides the essential gluten-free BBQ sauce and optional dairy-free sour cream for dipping, consider:

• Creamy Coleslaw: A cool, crisp, and tangy coleslaw offers a wonderful textural and flavor contrast to the warm, rich quesadillas.
• Corn Salad: A fresh corn salad, perhaps with black beans, red onion, and a lime vinaigrette, adds a burst of freshness and color.
• Simple Green Salad: A light green salad with a vinaigrette dressing can provide a refreshing balance to the meal.
• Pickled Red Onions: For an extra zing, a side of quick pickled red onions can cut through the richness of the pork beautifully.

More Easy Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Dinner Recipes

If you loved these quesadillas, you’ll be thrilled to discover more delicious and stress-free dinner ideas from our collection:

• Potato Corn Chowder: A rich, creamy, and homemade chowder featuring hearty chunks of wholesome Golden Yukon Potatoes, an abundance of sweet corn, and savory tidbits of your favorite crispy bacon crumbles. It’s comfort in a bowl!
• Taco Tater Tot Skillet: Crispy, golden-brown tater tots crown a flavorful base of seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, garlic, cumin, oregano, and zesty enchilada sauce. An easy, one-pan wonder.
• Lasagna Soup: All your favorite Italian flavors of classic lasagna are perfectly simmered into a hearty soup. Ready to serve with fresh basil and topped with a dollop of dairy-free ricotta for an authentic taste.
• French Dip Sandwich: Succulent, thinly sliced layers of tender roast beef, caramelized onion, and sweet bell pepper nestled within a soft baguette, served with a rich Au Jus dipping sauce on the side. A gourmet classic made accessible.

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Final Thoughts on Enjoying Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Living

We understand that navigating the world of gluten-free and dairy-free eating can often feel overwhelming and stressful, especially when searching for safe and satisfying dinner recipes. That’s precisely why our website, Eating Gluten and Dairy Free, is dedicated to providing you with an endless array of inspiring and easy-to-follow ideas. From these incredibly crispy, meaty, and utterly mouthwatering Easy Pulled Pork Quesadillas to countless other options, we’re here to make your culinary journey simpler and more enjoyable.

Imagine sinking your teeth into quesadillas generously stuffed with tender, melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork pieces and an abundance of perfectly melted dairy-free cheese shreds. Serve them with a drizzle of your favorite BBQ sauce and a dollop of cool dairy-free sour cream for an unforgettable meal. Beyond main courses, our website also features an extensive selection of safe appetizer recipes, delectable side dishes, and indulgent desserts suitable for every occasion and holiday. We’re committed to helping you discover a world of flavor without compromise.

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Eat well and feel well,