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Mexican Birria (Traditional and Flavorful Mexican Dish)


  • Author: Sophia
  • Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the Meat:

  • 3 pounds goat, lamb, or beef (bone-in for added flavor)
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 bay leaves

For the Chile Sauce:

  • 4 dried guajillo chiles
  • 3 dried ancho chiles
  • 2 dried pasilla chiles
  • 1 chipotle chile (optional, for extra smokiness)
  • 4 medium tomatoes, roasted or boiled
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1 medium onion, quartered
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 cups beef or chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar

For Garnishing and Serving:

  • Chopped fresh cilantro
  • Diced onions
  • Lime wedges
  • Warm corn tortillas

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chiles
Remove the stems and seeds from the dried chiles. Toast them lightly in a dry skillet over medium heat until aromatic, about 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to burn them. Soak the toasted chiles in warm water for 15-20 minutes, or until softened.

Step 2: Blend the Chile Sauce
Drain the soaked chiles and add them to a blender along with the roasted tomatoes, garlic, onion, cumin, oregano, cinnamon, broth, and vinegar. Blend until smooth. If needed, strain the sauce to remove any remaining solids for a silky texture.

Step 3: Season the Meat
Rub the meat with salt, pepper, and minced garlic. In a large pot or Dutch oven, sear the meat over medium-high heat until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.

Step 4: Combine and Simmer
Return the seared meat to the pot and pour the chile sauce over it. Add the bay leaves and enough water or broth to cover the meat. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 3 hours, or until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.

Step 5: Shred the Meat
Once the meat is cooked, remove it from the pot and shred it with forks. Return the shredded meat to the pot to soak up the flavorful broth.

Step 6: Serve
Serve the birria hot with a ladle of broth, garnished with fresh cilantro, diced onions, and a squeeze of lime. Pair with warm tortillas for dipping or enjoy in a bowl as a hearty stew.

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup birria with broth
  • Calories: 420
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Fat: 28g
  • Carbohydrates: 6g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 35g