RecipesMexicoSincronizadas

Sincronizadas

Sincronizadas are a popular Mexican street food, essentially a 'synchronized' grilled quesadilla. Two flour tortillas are layered with ham and melty Oaxaca cheese, then griddled until golden brown and the cheese is perfectly gooey. It's the ultimate Mexican grilled cheese, perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.

Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time8-10 minutes
Total Time13-15 minutes
Servings2
DifficultyEasy

🧂 Ingredients

  • 4 medium (about 8-inch diameter) Flour tortillas(Use good quality, pliable flour tortillas.)
  • 4 slices Cooked ham(Thinly sliced deli ham works well.)
  • 150 g Oaxaca cheese(Shredded or thinly sliced. If unavailable, Monterey Jack or a mild white cheddar can be substituted, but Oaxaca provides the classic melt and mild flavor.)
  • 1-2 tablespoons Butter or neutral oil(For griddling. Butter adds flavor, oil provides crispness.)
  • optional Pickled jalapeño slices(For a spicy kick.)
  • for serving Salsa(Your favorite kind, like salsa roja or pico de gallo.)
  • for serving Guacamole(Freshly made or store-bought.)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

  1. 1

    Prepare your ingredients: Have the ham slices, shredded or sliced Oaxaca cheese, and optional jalapeños ready. If using fresh jalapeños, slice them thinly.

    ⏱️ 1 minute
  2. 2

    Heat a large skillet, griddle, or comal over medium heat (around 190°C / 375°F). Add about half of the butter or oil and let it melt or heat until shimmering.

    ⏱️ 2 minutes
  3. 3

    Place one flour tortilla in the hot skillet. Immediately layer half of the Oaxaca cheese evenly over the tortilla, leaving a small border. Top the cheese with 2 slices of ham, and if using, arrange a few jalapeño slices over the ham.

    ⏱️ 1 minute
  4. 4

    Place a second flour tortilla directly on top of the ham and cheese. Gently press down with a spatula.

    ⏱️ 30 seconds
  5. 5

    Griddle for 3-4 minutes, or until the bottom tortilla is golden brown and crisp, and the cheese is starting to melt. Carefully flip the sincronizada using a spatula (or two, if it's easier).

    ⏱️ 3-4 minutes
  6. 6

    Add the remaining butter or oil to the skillet. Griddle the second side for another 3-4 minutes, until golden brown and the cheese is fully melted and gooey. You can gently press down with the spatula to ensure even browning and melting.

    ⏱️ 3-4 minutes
  7. 7

    Slide the cooked sincronizada onto a cutting board. Repeat the process with the remaining tortillas, ham, and cheese. Slice each sincronizada into wedges (halves or quarters) and serve immediately with salsa and guacamole on the side.

    ⏱️ 1 minute

💡 Pro Tips

  • Medium heat is key for allowing the cheese to melt thoroughly before the tortillas burn.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan; cook one sincronizada at a time if necessary.
  • Pressing down gently with a spatula helps ensure the tortillas make good contact with the heat and promotes even browning.
  • For extra flavor, you can lightly butter the outside of the tortillas before placing them in the skillet.

🔄 Variations

  • Add cooked shredded chicken or carnitas for a heartier meal.
  • Experiment with different cheeses like Monterey Jack, mild cheddar, or a blend.
  • Include thinly sliced onions or bell peppers (sautéed first) for added vegetables.
  • Add a thin layer of refried beans to one of the tortillas before adding the cheese and ham.

🥗 Nutrition

Per serving

CaloriesApprox. 380-450 per serving (depending on ingredients)
Protein22g
Carbs32g
Fat20g
Fiber2g

🏷️ Tags

Sincronizadas Recipe - Mexico | world.food