July 21, 2026 · 30 min

Build-Your-Own Shrimp and Black Bean Quesadillas with Fajita Spice

Dinner30 min1763 cal / serving

Get ready for a fun, interactive dinner that everyone will love! These build-your-own quesadillas start with succulent fajita-spiced shrimp, hearty black beans and a generous sprinkle of Mexican cheese. Set out the fillings and let each person assemble their perfect quesadilla, then cook them up until golden and crispy.

Finish with a dollop of sour cream, a scoop of guacamole and a dash of hot sauce. It’s a customizable meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Plus, it’s ready in under 30 minutes!

Recipe details

Dinner30 min1763 cal / serving2 servings

Nutrition per serving

Calories1763 kcalProtein59.5 gFat149.6 gCarbs45.6 gSugar10.2 gFiber6.1 gSodium2653 mg

Dietary labels

Gluten-free: noLactose-free: noDairy-free: no

Allergen check

Gluten / wheat: containsMilk / dairy: containsEgg: not detectedFish: containsShellfish: containsPeanut: not detectedTree nuts: not detectedSoy: containsSesame: not detectedMustard: not detectedCelery: not detectedSulphites: not detectedLupin: not detectedMolluscs: not detected

Values are calculated per serving from ingredient amounts and the ingredient nutrition reference per 100g. Allergen and diet labels use available ingredient metadata and name matching; always check product labels for strict diets or allergies. Some ingredient amounts or nutrition values were incomplete, so this is marked as a partial estimate.

Ingredients

Sour Cream3 tablespoon Sour CreamView ingredient guide
Shrimp10 ounce ShrimpView ingredient guide
Black Beans1 unit Black BeansView ingredient guide
Flour Tortillas6 unit Flour TortillasView ingredient guide
Guacamole4 tablespoon GuacamoleView ingredient guide
Mexican Cheese Blend1 cup Mexican Cheese BlendView ingredient guide
Hot Sauce1 teaspoon Hot SauceView ingredient guide
Olive Oil2 teaspoon (tsp) Olive OilView ingredient guide
Butter1 tablespoon (tbsp) ButterView ingredient guide
Salt2 teaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guide
Black Pepperteaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guide

Instructions

  1. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer; season with half the Fajita Spice Blend, a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are pink and cooked through, 4-6 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Transfer the shrimp to a plate and set aside. Wipe out the pan.
  2. While the shrimp cooks, drain and rinse the black beans. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the beans, chicken stock concentrate, remaining Fajita Spice Blend, 2 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon butter, ½ teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and microwave until the beans are warmed through, 2-3 minutes. Mash about half the beans with a potato masher or fork. Taste and season with salt and pepper if desired.
  3. Arrange the tortillas, cooked shrimp, mashed black beans and Mexican cheese blend on the table for everyone to assemble their own quesadillas. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in the same pan over medium heat. Place a filled quesadilla in the pan and cook until golden brown on one side, 2-3 minutes. Carefully flip and cook until the other side is golden and the cheese is melted, 1-2 minutes more. Repeat with remaining quesadillas, adding more oil as needed and reducing heat if they brown too quickly.
  4. Cut each quesadilla in half. Serve with sour cream, guacamole and hot sauce on the side.

Recipe Tips

If you have extra ingredients like grilled veggies or salsa, feel free to add them to the quesadilla bar.

For a vegetarian version, skip the shrimp and double the black beans.

Work in batches when cooking the quesadillas to avoid overcrowding the pan.

FAQ

Can I use chicken instead of shrimp?

Yes, you can substitute cooked chicken for the shrimp. Simply cook diced chicken breast or thighs with the fajita spice blend until browned and cooked through.

How do I prevent the quesadillas from burning?

Cook over medium heat and watch closely. If they brown too quickly, reduce the heat slightly. Adding a little oil between batches also helps.

Can I make these quesadillas ahead of time?

You can prep the shrimp and beans in advance, then assemble and cook the quesadillas just before serving for the best texture.

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