National Quesadilla Day Date in the current year: September 25, 2024

A quesadilla is a Mexican dish consisting of a cheese-filled tortilla that is cooked on a stove or griddle. A full quesadilla consists of two tortillas with a layer of filling between them, and a half quesadilla consists of a single tortilla filled with cheese and folded in half. Quesadillas are usually cooked without any oil. Those that are fried in oil are called quesadillas fritas.

To make quesadillas more flavorful and filling, other ingredients may be used in addition to cheese. Common quesadilla fillings include cooked vegetables (potatoes, squash blossoms), cooked meat (chorizo, chicharron, chicken or beef tinga, cooked pork), and various spices. Quesadillas are often served with guacamole, red or green salsa, or chopped vegetables and herbs (chili pepper, cilantro, onion, tomatoes).

The quesadilla originated during the colonial era and has since become one of the most iconic Mexican dishes. In different parts of Mexico, there are local variations of the dish. For example, in central and southern Mexico, quesadillas usually consist of a single corn tortilla filled with Oaxaca cheese and folded in half, then cooked on a smooth, flat griddle called comal. In northern Mexico, wheat tortillas are commonly used in place of corn tortillas.

From Mexico, tortillas have made their way to Southwestern cuisine. In the Southwestern United States, the quesadilla is similar to a grilled cheese sandwich. It is usually made by heating a flour tortilla on a griddle, then flipping it and sprinkling with grated melting cheese. Other ingredients (meat, vegetables, guacamole) many be added once the cheese melts. The quesadilla is then folded and served.

Many US restaurants, including those that do not specialize in Mexican or Southwestern cuisine, serve quesadillas as appetizers. Some variations include ingredients that you will never or almost never encounter in authentic Mexican quesadillas such as black beans, goat cheese, spinach, tofu, and zucchini.

The origin of many food-related holidays is unclear, but National Quesadilla Day is one of those food days that have a known founder. It was created by V&V Supremo Foods, a Chicago-based manufacturer of Mexican-style cheeses, meats and cream, to promote its melting cheese. The inaugural National Quesadilla Day was celebrated on September 25, 2020.

The best way to observe National Quesadilla Day is to indulge in delicious quesadillas. You can go out to your favorite Mexican restaurant or order takeout, sample quesadillas from several places and rank them from best to worst, or make quesadillas at home. You can make a party out of it and invite your friends and family over to enjoy delicious Mexican food and tequila cocktails. And don’t forget to spread the word on social media with the hashtag #NationalQuesadillaDay.