Birria
Birria is a flavorful and hearty Mexican stew made with beef or lamb, seasoned with dried chiles and spices, and served in corn tortillas.
Ingredients
Meat
- 2 lbs beef chuck Can use lamb shoulder as an optional addition.
- 2 lbs lamb shoulder Optional; use if desired.
Chiles and Spices
- 4 dried guajillo chiles Toast before blending.
- 4 dried ancho chiles Toast before blending.
- 1 onion, quartered Used in sauce.
- 4 cloves garlic Used in sauce.
- 1 tsp cumin Adds flavor.
- 1 tsp oregano Adds flavor.
- 2 cups beef broth Used for blending sauce.
- to taste Salt and pepper Season to preference.
To Serve
- Corn tortillas For serving.
- Chopped onions and cilantro For garnish.
Instructions
Preparation
- Toast the dried chiles in a pan over medium heat until fragrant. Remove seeds and stems.
- Blend chiles with onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, and beef broth until smooth.
- In a large pot, add the beef and lamb, pour the blended sauce over, and season with salt and pepper.
Cooking
- Cook covered on low heat for 3-4 hours until the meat is tender.
- Shred the meat and serve in corn tortillas, garnished with chopped onions and cilantro.
Notes
Adjust the spice level by using fewer chiles if you prefer a milder taste. Letting the birria sit overnight allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Use the broth for dipping tortillas to enhance the flavors.