Hearty Traditional Mexican Birria Recipe to Warm Your Soul

Crafting an authentic birria recipe transports you to the vibrant streets of jalisco with its rich, aromatic flavors.

Tender meat slowly simmers in a complex blend of chiles and spices.

Family gatherings often celebrate this traditional dish that melts in your mouth.

Generations have perfected the art of preparing this hearty stew passed down through decades.

Chilies create a deep, robust sauce that hugs each morsel of meat.

Regional variations showcase the incredible diversity of mexican culinary traditions.

You’ll savor every bite of this mouthwatering classic that connects culture and comfort on a single plate.

FAQs

• What are the key spices in birria?

The key spices include cumin, oregano, cloves, and cinnamon, which create a deep, complex flavor profile that makes this traditional Mexican dish unique.

• Can I use different types of meat for birria?

While beef is traditional, you can also make birria with goat, lamb, or even chicken, adapting the recipe to your preference while maintaining the classic spice blend.

• How do I know when the meat is perfectly cooked?

The beef is ready when it becomes extremely tender and can be easily shredded with two forks, typically after 2-3 hours of slow simmering in the spicy sauce.

Why Traditional Mexican Birria Is a Must-Try Dish

• Spice Up Your Culinary Adventure: Dive into a flavor-packed Mexican dish that transforms ordinary beef into a mouthwatering experience with complex, rich spices and a vibrant sauce.
• Master Slow-Cooking Magic: Discover the art of transforming tough beef chunks into tender, fall-apart meat through patient, low-heat cooking that develops incredible depth of flavor.
• Customize Your Meal: Enjoy the flexibility of serving birria with warm corn tortillas, fresh cilantro, and chopped onions, allowing everyone to create their perfect bite and personalize their dining experience.
• Cultural Comfort Food: Experience a traditional Mexican recipe that brings family and friends together, celebrating authentic flavors and cooking techniques passed down through generations.

Ingredients for Authentic Traditional Mexican Birria

• Beef Chunks: A hearty protein that becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender after slow cooking.

• Guajillo Chilies, Ancho Chilies: These dried chilies provide a deep, rich, and complex flavor profile that is essential to authentic Mexican birria.

• Garlic, Onion: These ingredients create a robust base of flavor for the sauce.
• Cumin, Oregano, Cloves, Cinnamon: A warm blend of spices that adds depth and traditional Mexican complexity to the dish.

• Beef Broth: Provides moisture and enhances the overall meaty flavor of the birria.
• Vinegar: Adds a subtle tangy brightness that balances the rich meat and spices.

• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that help enhance the natural flavors of the beef.

• Corn Tortillas, Fresh Cilantro, Chopped Onion: Traditional accompaniments that provide texture, freshness, and additional flavor to the birria.

How to Prepare Traditional Mexican Birria Easily

Step 1: Toasting Aromatic Chilies

Place a dry skillet over medium heat. Carefully toast the guajillo and ancho chilies for about 2 minutes until they become fragrant and slightly pliable.

Remove and discard the seeds and stems from the chilies.

Step 2: Crafting the Flavor-Packed Sauce

• Garlic cloves
• Chopped onion
• Ground cumin
• Dried oregano
• Whole cloves
• Ground cinnamon

Blend with beef broth until the mixture becomes completely smooth and vibrant.

Step 3: Preparing the Beef

Generously season beef chunks with salt and black pepper. Heat a large pot over medium-high heat.

Brown the beef pieces on all sides, working in batches to ensure a perfect golden crust.

Step 4: Slow-Simmering the Birria

Pour the prepared chili sauce over the browned beef.

Add remaining beef broth and a splash of vinegar. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Cover the pot and cook on low heat for 2-3 hours until the beef becomes incredibly tender and easily falls apart.

Step 5: Finishing and Serving

Use two forks to shred the beef directly in the rich, flavorful broth.

Transfer to serving bowls. Accompany with warm corn tortillas, freshly chopped cilantro, and diced onions for a traditional Mexican feast.

Useful Tips for Making Traditional Mexican Birria

• Select well-marbled beef chuck roast for maximum tenderness and rich flavor during slow cooking.
• Toast chilies carefully to release deep, complex flavors without burning, which can create bitter undertones.
• Strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve for a silky, smooth consistency that coats the meat perfectly.
• Allow extra cooking time for tough meat cuts, ensuring meat becomes meltingly tender and easily shreddable.
• Use fresh corn tortillas and warm them briefly on a comal or skillet to enhance their authentic taste and texture.

Variations to Give Traditional Birria a Twist

• Goat Meat Birria: Replace beef with tender goat meat for an authentic Mexican mountain region variation, maintaining the same spice blend and cooking technique.
• Vegetarian Jackfruit Birria: Swap beef with shredded young jackfruit, using similar spices and slow-cooking method to create a plant-based version that mimics meat texture.
• Chicken Birria: Substitute beef with bone-in chicken thighs, keeping the rich chili sauce and slow-cooking process for a lighter protein option.
• Instant Pot Birria: Use pressure cooker setting to reduce cooking time from 3 hours to approximately 45 minutes, achieving the same tender meat and rich flavor profile.

Pairings That Complement Traditional Mexican Birria

• Pair Rich Mole Reds: Choose robust red wines like Tempranillo or Malbec from Mexico or Argentina that complement the deep, spicy flavors of birria's complex chili sauce.
• Create Citrus Cocktail Contrast: Craft a zesty margarita with fresh lime juice, tequila blanco, and a splash of orange liqueur to cut through the meat's richness and cleanse the palate.
• Match Traditional Mexican Beer: Select a crisp Mexican lager like Modelo Especial or Pacifico that provides a light, refreshing counterpoint to the hearty, spicy beef stew.
• Enhance with Fresh Agua Fresca: Prepare a tamarind or hibiscus agua fresca to balance the birria's intense flavors, offering a cool, sweet-tart drinking experience that refreshes between bites.

How to Store Traditional Mexican Birria Safely

• Store leftover birria in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring the meat stays submerged in its flavorful broth to maintain moisture and prevent drying.
• Transfer birria to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with the date to track storage time.
• Place birria in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent moisture loss. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed. Add a splash of broth if needed to restore original consistency.

Traditional Mexican Birria Recipe

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4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Savor authentic Mexican Birria, a rich, slow-cooked delicacy from Jalisco that combines tender beef with bold spices and deep flavors. Warm tortillas and zesty consommé complete this hearty dish that will transport you straight to the heart of Mexican culinary tradition.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) beef chuck roast, cut into chunks

Dried Chilies and Spices:

• 2 dried guajillo chilies
• 2 dried ancho chilies
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Aromatics and Liquids:

• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 4 cups (0.95 liters) beef broth
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Serving Accompaniments:

• Corn tortillas
• Fresh cilantro
• Fresh onion

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Instructions

1. Carefully toast dried guajillo and ancho chilies in a dry skillet over medium heat for approximately 2 minutes until aromatic, ensuring they do not burn. Remove and discard stems and seeds.
2. Create a vibrant sauce by blending toasted chilies with garlic, onion, cumin, oregano, cloves, and cinnamon using beef broth until achieving a silky, smooth consistency.
3. Season beef chunks generously with salt and pepper. Sear meat in a large pot over medium-high heat, developing deep golden-brown color on all surfaces. Work in batches to prevent overcrowding and ensure proper caramelization.
4. Pour prepared chili sauce over browned beef, incorporating remaining beef broth and vinegar. Gently bring mixture to a low simmer, covering pot and allowing meat to braise slowly for 2-3 hours until beef becomes exceptionally tender and easily falls apart.
5. Using two forks, meticulously shred beef and reintegrate into rich, flavorful braising liquid. Transfer to serving bowls, accompanying with warm corn tortillas, freshly chopped cilantro, and diced onions for a traditional Mexican presentation.

Notes

• Select high-quality dried chilies for the most authentic and robust flavor profile.
• Toast chilies gently to release their essential oils without burning, which can create a bitter taste.
• Choose fatty cuts like chuck roast or beef short ribs for maximum tenderness and rich flavor development.
• Prepare the dish in advance, as the flavors intensify and improve after resting overnight in the refrigerator.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg