Authentic Mexican Beef Birria Recipe
Mexican Birria is a rich and flavorful slow-cooked beef stew, traditionally made with a blend of dried chilies and aromatic spices simmered in a savory broth. This hearty dish is perfect for a comforting meal and is often served with warm tortillas and garnished with fresh herbs.
- Author: Mick
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Stew
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Meat
- 3 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into large chunks
Broth and Seasonings
- 4 cups beef broth
- 4 dried guajillo chilies, seeded and deveined
- 2 dried ancho chilies, seeded and deveined
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 medium white onion, quartered
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt to taste
- 2 bay leaves
- Prepare the Chilies: Toast the dried guajillo and ancho chilies lightly in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Then soak them in hot water for 15 minutes until softened.
- Make the Birria Sauce: Blend the soaked chilies, garlic, onion, apple cider vinegar, cumin, oregano, cinnamon, black pepper, smoked paprika, and 1 cup of beef broth until smooth to create a rich sauce.
- Season the Beef: Place the beef chunks into a slow cooker. Pour the birria sauce over the beef and add the remaining broth along with bay leaves. Add salt to taste.
- Cook the Beef: Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the beef is tender and easily shredded with a fork.
- Shred and Serve: Remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded beef to the broth to soak up the flavors. Serve hot with warm corn tortillas, and garnish with chopped onions, cilantro, and lime wedges if desired.
Notes
- If dried chilies are unavailable, substitute with high-quality chili powder but note that the flavor will vary.
- Birria can be served as a stew or used as a filling for tacos called ‘Birria Tacos’.
- Leftover broth can be strained and used as a flavorful consommé for dipping tacos.
- Adjust the seasoning and spice level according to your preference.
Keywords: Birria, Mexican beef stew, slow-cooked beef, chili stew, traditional Mexican recipe