How to Make Birria - A Step-by-Step Guide

Birria is a traditional Mexican dish that has been gaining popularity in recent years. Hailing from the state of Jalisco, this hearty and flavorful stew features tender, slow-cooked meat that is packed with rich and savory flavors.

Usually made with goat or lamb, birria can also be prepared with beef or pork. The meat is marinated in a spicy, flavorful adobo sauce made from a variety of dried chilies such as guajillo, ancho, and pasilla. This adobo sauce is the key to the dish's bold and...

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Ingredients

  • 2 dried California chile peppers, stemmed and seeded
  • 2 dried pasilla chiles, stemmed and seeded
  • 2 dried guajillo chiles, stemmed and seeded
  • 2 dried ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded
  • 2 New Mexico dried red chile pods, stemmed and seeded
  • water to cover
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 1 slice onion, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 ½ onions, chopped
  • 3 ½ pounds boneless beef chuck roast, cut into chunks
  • 6 bay leaves
  • salt to taste

Information

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 5 hrs 55 mins
  • Total Time: 6 hrs 15 mins
  • Servings: 8

  • Place dried chiles into a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until chiles are softened, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Pour chile mixture into a blender. Add garlic, onion slice, pepper, oregano, cumin, and cinnamon. Blend until smooth.
  • Layer chopped onions in the bottom of a slow cooker. Place chuck roast over onions and add bay leaves. Pour chile sauce on top.
  • Cook on High until beef is tender enough to shred with a fork, about 5 hours.
  • Remove beef from sauce. Continue cooking sauce until reduced, 35 to 45 minutes. Return beef to sauce and season with salt.
  • Nutrition

    353 cal.

    • Total Fat: 23g
    • Saturated Fat: 9g
    • Cholesterol: 90mg
    • Sodium: 83mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 11g
    • Dietary Fiber: 3g
    • Total Sugars: 3g
    • Protein: 25g
    • Vitamin C: 7mg
    • Calcium: 44mg
    • Iron: 4mg
    • Potassium: 471mg