Authentic Beef Birria
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Cook Time
2 hrs 30 mins
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Total Time
3 hrs
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Servings
16 servings
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Calories
390 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Mexican
Authentic Beef Birria
Description
This Authentic Beef Birria centers around a large quantity of beef chuck roast and ribs cooked slowly in a flavorful chili and spice broth. The adobo sauce is prepared using guajillo, pasilla, and chiles de árbol, combined with sautéed onion, tomatoes, garlic, and a variety of spices such as cumin, oregano, cloves, and cinnamon. Boiling the chilies softens them, and blending them with the cooked vegetables forms a thick, richly colored chili sauce that is added to the cooking broth.
The beef simmers in this seasoned broth, becoming tender while absorbing the complex smoky and slightly spicy flavors. The presence of vinegar adds brightness to balance the richness. The cooking method involves boiling water with the chili adobo and meat, allowing the flavors to meld over time. Using whole spices like peppercorns and bay leaves enhances the stew’s aromatic profile.
Beef Birria is traditionally served as a stew with the meat pulled or chopped, often accompanied by tortillas or rice. The vibrant chili sauce makes it suitable for dipping or pouring over the meat. The texture is tender and juicy, while the sauce provides a bold complement with smoky, earthy, and mildly spicy notes.
For best results, blend the chili sauce thoroughly to preserve texture and color instead of straining it. Season the meat with salt ahead of cooking to enhance flavor. Adjust salt levels carefully as the dish cooks.
Ingredients
- 5 ½ lbs chuck roast boneless
- 1 lb beef ribs
- 12 cups water
- 10 guajillo chile
- 2 Pasilla chile
- 5 to 6 chiles de árbol For a more spicy sauce, do not remove the seeds
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion peeled and quarter, large, or yellow onion
- 8 Roma tomato cut into quarters
- 9 garlic peeled, cloves
- ½ teaspoon thyme dried
- ½ teaspoon cumin ground
- ½ teaspoon Mexican oregano
- ½ teaspoon coriander seed or dried
- ½ teaspoon cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 ½ Tablespoon whole black peppercorns
- 1 Tablespoon allspice
- 1 cinnamon stick small
- 1 to 2 Tablespoon kosher salt or sea salt to taste, if using table salt, start with half a teaspoon
- 2 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 3 bay leaf
Instructions
- Prep the meat: cut in large chunks and season with a little salt. Set aside.
- In a large stock pot, set to boil 12 cups of water (3 liters). (This is where we'll cook the meat).
Make the adobo
- Remove the stems and seeds from the chiles. Rinse under water to remove any dust. In a small pot, add the chiles and enough water to cover. Boil for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let them rest in the water to hydrate.
- In a medium pot, add 1 tablespoon oil and heat over medium high heat. Add the onion and saute for 1 minute. Then add the tomato. Saute for a few minutes 3 until the tomato starts soften.
- Add the garlic and the spices. Mix to integrate all ingredients. Cook on low heat for about 3 minutes. Keep stirring to make sure it doesn't burn.
- To a blender, add the chiles (no water) and the cooked veggies with all of its juices. Puree in two batches to make sure it blends well. See note #1.
- Add all of the adobo in the boiling water and the meat. Add the vinegar and bay leaves.
- Cook on medium heat for 2.5 to 3 hours. (Note, when everything comes to a boil, taste for salt and add more if needed). Keep covered so the liquid does not evaporate.
- Once it's cooked, shred the beef in a bowl with two forks, transfer the meat back to the pot.
- Serve birria with warm tortillas, cilantro, hot salsa, lime juice. Serve as tacos or in a bowl as a stew.
Notes
- The chile sauce is not strained to preserve its texture and vibrant color; ensure it is well blended.
- Season the beef with salt prior to cooking to enhance overall flavor.
- Use whole spices such as peppercorns and bay leaves for added aroma during simmering.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 16servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 390 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 390kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 19.5g | 7% |
| Protein | 52.9g | 106% |
| Fat | 10.7g | 16% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 151.3mg | 50% |
| Sodium | 1634mg | 68% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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