Birria is a rich, flavorful, and comforting Mexican stew that’s perfect for family gatherings or a cozy night in. Traditionally made with goat or beef, this dish is slow-cooked until the meat is tender and infused with deep, smoky, and slightly spicy flavors. Serve it as a stew or use the meat for tacos, quesabirria, or even over rice!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Bold, authentic flavors – A mix of dried chilies, warm spices, and slow-cooked beef creates an irresistible taste.
✔ Fall-apart tender meat – Cooking low and slow guarantees juicy, pull-apart meat.
✔ Versatile serving options – Enjoy it as a stew, in tacos, or even with eggs for breakfast!
✔ Make-ahead friendly – Tastes even better the next day!
What Does Birria Taste Like?
Birria is a hearty, smoky, and slightly spicy dish with a rich, deep broth that has a hint of sweetness from the dried chilies and warmth from the cinnamon and cloves. The beef absorbs all the incredible flavors, making it juicy, savory, and deeply satisfying.
Ingredients
For the Birria:
- 3 pounds beef stew meat (such as chuck roast), cut into chunks
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 whole cloves
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
For the Chili Sauce:
- 3 dried guajillo chilies, stemmed and seeded
- 2 dried ancho chilies, stemmed and seeded
- 1 dried pasilla chili, stemmed and seeded
For Serving:
- Corn tortillas
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Diced onions
- Lime wedges
- Sliced radishes
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
✔ Large pot or Dutch oven
✔ Blender
✔ Strainer
✔ Cutting board & knife
✔ Tongs
How to Make Traditional Mexican Birria
Step 1: Prepare the Chili Sauce
- Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and toast the dried chilies for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Place the chilies in a bowl and cover them with hot water. Let them soak for 10-15 minutes until softened.
- Drain the chilies and blend them with 1 cup of beef broth until smooth. Strain the sauce to remove any bits of skin or seeds.
Step 2: Sear the Meat
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Add the beef chunks and sear until browned on all sides (about 3-5 minutes per side). Remove and set aside.
Step 3: Build the Flavor
- In the same pot, add onions and garlic. Cook until softened.
- Stir in the cumin, oregano, paprika, coriander, ground cloves, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add the blended chili sauce, beef broth, water, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, and whole cloves. Stir well.
Step 4: Slow Cook the Birria
- Return the seared beef to the pot and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 3-4 hours until the meat is tender and easily pulls apart.
- Remove the bay leaves, cinnamon stick, and whole cloves. Shred the beef with two forks.
How to Serve Birria
🍲 As a Stew: Serve birria in a bowl with its rich broth, garnished with chopped onions, cilantro, and lime wedges.
🌮 As Tacos:
- Dip corn tortillas into the birria broth.
- Pan-fry them until slightly crispy, then fill with shredded meat, diced onions, and cilantro.
- Serve with a side of consommé (the broth) for dipping.
🥚 With Eggs: Make a delicious birria breakfast by serving the meat with scrambled eggs or in a breakfast burrito.
🍚 Over Rice: Spoon the birria over steamed rice for a hearty meal.
Tips for the Best Birria
✅ Toast the dried chilies – This enhances their smoky flavor before blending.
✅ Sear the meat first – This locks in flavor and gives the stew more depth.
✅ Let it simmer low and slow – This ensures tender, fall-apart beef.
✅ Strain the chili sauce – This keeps the broth smooth and free of chili skin bits.
How to Make Birria Even More Flavorful
Want to take your birria to the next level? Try these tricks:
🔥 Marinate the meat overnight – Rub the beef with the spice mixture and let it sit in the fridge for 12-24 hours before cooking. This deepens the flavor!
🌶 Add a roasted tomato – Blending a fire-roasted tomato into the chili sauce adds a hint of sweetness and richness.
🧄 Use roasted garlic – Roasting the garlic before blending it into the sauce enhances the depth of flavor.
🍺 Add a splash of beer – A dark Mexican beer (like Negra Modelo) adds a rich, slightly malty undertone to the broth.
How to Make Quesabirria Tacos
Quesabirria is a delicious variation of birria that includes melty cheese in crispy tacos. Here’s how to make them:
- Dip corn tortillas in the birria broth and place them in a hot skillet.
- Sprinkle shredded Oaxaca or mozzarella cheese onto one side of the tortilla.
- Add shredded birria meat on top of the cheese.
- Fold the tortilla in half and cook until crispy and golden brown.
- Serve with extra broth for dipping!
Quesabirria tacos are cheesy, crispy, and packed with flavor—perfect for taco nights! 🌮🔥
What Side Dishes Go Well with Birria?
Want to turn your birria meal into a feast? Here are some great side dish ideas:
🥑 Guacamole & Chips – A creamy, refreshing contrast to the rich birria.
🌽 Mexican Street Corn (Elote) – Grilled corn with mayo, cheese, lime, and chili powder.
🍚 Cilantro Lime Rice – A fresh, zesty rice dish that pairs perfectly with birria.
🫘 Refried Beans – A creamy and savory side to balance the flavors.
🥗 Mexican Cabbage Slaw – Adds crunch and freshness to your plate.
Drinks That Pair Well with Birria
🍹 Horchata – The sweet, cinnamon-flavored rice drink cools down the spice.
🍺 Mexican Beer – A cold Modelo or Pacifico balances the richness of the broth.
🍸 Margaritas – Lime margaritas add a zesty kick to your meal.
🥤 Agua Fresca – Try tamarind or hibiscus agua fresca for a fruity, refreshing drink.
Can I Make Birria in an Instant Pot?
Yes! Using an Instant Pot speeds up the cooking process while keeping the flavors deep and delicious.
How to make birria in an Instant Pot:
1️⃣ Sear the beef using the “Sauté” function.
2️⃣ Add all ingredients, close the lid, and cook on High Pressure for 50 minutes.
3️⃣ Let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, then manually release the rest.
4️⃣ Shred the beef and serve with the consommé!
This is perfect when you need a quicker way to enjoy birria without sacrificing flavor.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
🥶 Refrigerator: Store birria in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
❄️ Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months in a sealed container.
🔥 Reheating: Warm on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make birria in a slow cooker?
Yes! Sear the meat first, then place everything in a slow cooker on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours.
Can I use a different meat?
Absolutely! Traditionally, birria is made with goat, but you can also use lamb, pork, or even chicken.
How spicy is this dish?
It has a mild to medium heat. If you like it spicier, add a dried arbol chili or extra ancho chilies.
What if I don’t have dried chilies?
You can substitute with 1-2 tablespoons of chili powder, but the depth of flavor won’t be the same.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a flavor-packed, authentic Mexican dish, this Traditional Birria is a must-try! Whether you serve it as a stew or in tacos, it’s guaranteed to impress.
Did you love this recipe? Let me know in the comments and share your photos on Pinterest! 📌
Looking for more authentic Mexican recipes? Try these next:
🌮 Homemade Carne Asada Tacos
🥑 Authentic Guacamole
🌶 Spicy Chicken Tinga
Enjoy your birria! 🇲🇽🔥
