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Beef Birria
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Beef Birria Recipe

This Beef Birria recipe is bursting with flavor from guajillo chiles, garlic, onions, fire-roasted tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, ground cloves, and cinnamon. Eat it with minced onion and chopped cilantro as a stew or in pan-fried tacos with queso quesadilla cheese. 
Course stew/soup
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword beef birria, beef birria recipe, beef birria tacos, birria beef, birria de res, how to make beef birria, Mexican beef birria, quesabirria tacos, what is beef birria, what is birria beef
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Servings 8 servings
Calories 462kcal
Author Beth Pierce

Ingredients

Beef Birria

  • 3-4 lbs beef chuck roast
  • 1 ½ lbs short ribs
  • 6-8 guajillo chiles stems and seeds removed
  • 6 cloves garlic peeled
  • 1 14.5-ounce can fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

Birria Stew

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion chopped
  • 6 cups low sodium beef broth
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Chopped onions yellow or red
  • Chopped fresh cilantro

Birria Tacos

  • Vegetable oil
  • White or yellow corn tortillas
  • Queso quesadilla cheese or a Mexican blend cheese

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to boil, then turn the heat off. Add the dried guajillo chiles and cover with a lid. Soak them for about 15-20 minutes or until they are soft. Drain in a colander. Cut off the stem and slit the pepper open with a sharp knife or kitchen scissors. Remove the seeds and veins. 
  • Meanwhile, cut your chuck roast into large cubes, trimming away large portions of fat. Add the chuck roast and short ribs to a large Dutch oven or large pot.
  • In a food processor, add the softened peppers, garlic, fire-roasted tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and ground cloves. Pulse until blended into a smooth paste. Add the marinade to the pot with the beef and stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours up to overnight. 
  • Remove the beef from the refrigerator. Add a little olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft. Add the cooked onions, chicken broth, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves to the pot with the beef. Bring the mixture to a low boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 3-4 hours or until the meat is fall-apart tender. 
  • Remove the bay leaves and serve the stew in a bowl with chopped onion (either white or red), chopped fresh cilantro, and fresh lime wedges. 
  • To make Birria Tacos add a layer of cheese and a layer of beef Birria to each corn tortilla. Use tongs to drain most of the broth from the beef before adding. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place 2-3 tacos open-faced in the skillet and cook until golden brown on the bottom. Fold it over, covering the beef and cheese, and flip, cooking for about 1 minute or until everything is golden brown and the cheese is melted. For best results, serve promptly. 

Notes

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
  • To freeze the beef, first fully cool it. Spoon the meat into zipper freezer bags or a sturdy freezer container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.

Nutrition

Calories: 462kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 158mg | Sodium: 1131mg | Potassium: 919mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 930IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 6mg