Name: Mexican Birria Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 15 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 4 lbs chuck roast (or beef short ribs/oxtail); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 teaspoons kosher salt; 1 teaspoon ground black pepper; 6 dried guajillo chiles; 3 dried ancho chiles; 2–3 dried arbol chiles (optional, for heat); 2 Roma tomatoes; 1 large yellow onion, halved; 1 Mexican cinnamon stick (or 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon); 2 bay leaves; 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns; 4 cups beef broth; 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar; 6 garlic cloves; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 2 teaspoons Mexican oregano (or regular oregano); 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Authentic Birria is a rich, flavorful Mexican stew made with tender beef slowly braised in a deeply spiced red chile broth known as consomé. Traditionally hailing from the state of Jalisco, birria can be served in bowls as a comforting stew or transformed into crispy, cheesy tacos known as quesabirria. This dish is hearty, satisfying, and packed with bold Mexican flavors that make it perfect for special occasions or an indulgent weekend meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This birria recipe is the ultimate celebration of flavor and texture. The beef becomes fall-apart tender, soaking up every bit of the smoky, spicy, and aromatic chile broth. The red consomé is bold and soul-warming, perfect for dipping tortillas or sipping alongside the meat. It’s also incredibly versatile—serve it as a stew, tuck it into tacos, spoon it over rice, or use the leftovers in creative ways like birria ramen or nachos. You can also make it using your stovetop, Instant Pot, or slow cooker. Mexican Birria Recipe

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Chuck roast (or other beef cuts like short ribs or oxtail)
Kosher salt
Black pepper
Olive oil
Guajillo chiles
Ancho chiles
Arbol chiles (optional for heat)
Roma tomatoes
Yellow onion
Mexican cinnamon stick (or ground cinnamon)
Bay leaves
Whole black peppercorns
Beef broth
Distilled white vinegar
Garlic cloves
Ground cumin
Mexican oregano (or regular oregano)
Ground cloves

Directions

Sear the Beef
Season beef chunks generously with salt and pepper. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high. Sear beef in batches until browned on all sides. Set aside.
Prepare the Chile Base
In a separate pot, add guajillo, ancho, and arbol chiles along with tomatoes, onion, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, and peppercorns. Cover with water, bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes until everything is soft.
Blend the Sauce
Transfer the softened chiles and vegetables to a blender. Add 1 cup of the chile-soaked water, beef broth, vinegar, garlic, cumin, oregano, and ground cloves. Blend until completely smooth (strain if needed).
Combine and Cook
Pour the blended chile sauce over the seared beef in the pot. Stir to combine and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 3 to 3½ hours, until the beef is fork-tender and shreds easily.
Shred the Beef
Remove the beef from the pot, shred with two forks, and return it to the consomé. Stir and adjust salt if needed.
Serve
Serve hot as a stew with chopped onion, cilantro, and fresh lime juice, or use in tacos with melted cheese.

Servings and timing

Servings: 8
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 4 hours
Total time: 4 hours 15 minutes

Variations

Tacos: Dip corn tortillas into the top of the consomé, then fry in a skillet. Fill with shredded birria and cheese, then cook until crispy.
Quesabirria: Use Oaxaca or Chihuahua cheese to make cheesy birria tacos, served with a side of consomé for dipping.
Birria Ramen: Add the shredded meat and broth to cooked ramen noodles.
Goat or Lamb: Use traditional meats like goat or lamb for a more classic take.
Spice Control: Adjust the number of arbol chiles based on your heat preference.

Storage/Reheating

Refrigerator: Store birria in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Portion consomé separately if desired for easy reheating.
Reheat: Thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen. Reheat in a pot over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through.

FAQs

What is birria made of?

Birria is a Mexican stew made with meat (traditionally goat, but often beef), dried chiles, tomatoes, spices, and aromatics simmered into a flavorful broth.

Is birria spicy?

It can be. This recipe is medium to hot depending on how many arbol chiles you use. For mild, omit them completely.

Can I make birria in the Instant Pot?

Yes. Sear the meat using the sauté function, then add the blended chile sauce and pressure cook on high for 60 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before quick-releasing the rest.

Can I make it in the slow cooker?

Yes. Sear the meat separately, then transfer everything to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 7–8 hours or high for 5 hours.

What can I serve with birria?

Serve with corn tortillas, Mexican rice, lime wedges, chopped onion, cilantro, and maybe a side of refried beans or a cold cerveza.

Can I use different cuts of meat?

Yes. Short ribs, beef shanks, or even stew meat can work. Just be sure to choose cuts with some fat for tenderness and flavor.

Can I use ground cinnamon instead of a cinnamon stick?

Yes. Use 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon if you don’t have Mexican (Ceylon) cinnamon sticks.

What’s the difference between birria and barbacoa?

Barbacoa is often cooked underground or steamed, while birria is slow-braised in a chile broth. Both are traditional and flavorful but prepared differently.

Can I make it dairy-free?

Absolutely. This recipe is naturally dairy-free. Just be sure to avoid cheese if serving as tacos.

Can I make quesabirria tacos without frying?

You can toast the tortillas on a dry skillet and fill with birria and cheese without dipping into the oil layer of the broth, but you’ll miss out on the signature crispy texture.

Conclusion

Authentic Birria is a true celebration of Mexican culinary tradition—deeply flavorful, versatile, and absolutely unforgettable. Whether you serve it as a cozy stew or transform it into crispy, cheesy tacos, this dish offers rich layers of spices, tender meat, and vibrant toppings in every bite. With make-ahead and freezer-friendly options, birria is perfect for weekend meals, dinner parties, or a delicious taco night at home.

Authentic Birria is a traditional Mexican stew made with beef braised in a rich red chile broth (consomé). Flavorful, hearty, and deeply spiced, it can be served as a stew or transformed into crispy quesabirria tacos.