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Authentic Birria

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This Authentic Birria is a rich, flavorful Mexican stew made with slow-cooked beef, dried chilies, and a blend of warm spices. Perfectly tender and infused with smoky, slightly spicy flavors, birria can be served as a stew or used for tacos and quesabirria. Enjoy a true taste of traditional Mexican cuisine with this easy, step-by-step recipe!

  • Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

For the Meat:

  • 3 pounds beef chuck roast (or short ribs, or a mix)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Birria Sauce:

  • 4 dried guajillo chilies, stemmed and seeded
  • 2 dried ancho chilies, stemmed and seeded
  • 2 dried chipotle chilies
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 medium tomato, chopped

For Serving:

  • Warm corn tortillas
  • Chopped fresh cilantro
  • Diced white onion
  • Lime wedges

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chilies

  1. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the guajillo, ancho, and chipotle chilies for about 30 seconds on each side until fragrant.
  2. Transfer the chilies to a bowl and cover with hot water for 10 minutes to soften.

Step 2: Blend the Sauce

  1. Drain the softened chilies and add them to a blender with beef broth, onion, garlic, oregano, cumin, cinnamon, apple cider vinegar, salt, black pepper, and tomato.
  2. Blend until smooth. Strain the sauce for a smoother texture, if desired.

Step 3: Sear the Meat

  1. Season the beef with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat and sear the beef on all sides until browned (about 3-4 minutes per side).

Step 4: Simmer the Birria

  1. Pour the blended sauce over the seared beef, adding extra beef broth if needed to fully submerge the meat.
  2. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover and cook on low heat for 3-4 hours, or until the beef is fall-apart tender.

Step 5: Shred & Serve

  1. Remove the beef from the pot and shred it with forks.
  2. Return the shredded beef to the sauce and simmer for another 10 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Step 6: Enjoy

  • Serve the birria as a stew with warm corn tortillas or use the meat to make tacos.
  • Garnish with fresh cilantro, diced onion, and a squeeze of lime juice.

Notes

  • Taco Version: Use the shredded beef to fill tortillas with cheese, grill them to make quesabirria, and dip in the broth.
  • Vegetarian Option: Swap the beef with mushrooms or a mix of beans and vegetables for a plant-based version.
  • Spicy Kick: Adjust the number of chipotle chilies or add extra dried chilies for more heat.
  • Author: Sophia
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow-Cooked
  • Cuisine: Mexican
  • Diet: Gluten Free