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Mexican Birria Recipe

Mexican Birria Recipe

Authentic Mexican Birria, a savory meat stew from Jalisco, perfect for tacos.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Marinating Time 2 hours
Total Time 5 hours 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 8 servings
Calories 335 kcal

Equipment

  • large pan
  • Food processor
  • large bowl
  • large pot

Ingredients
  

Peppers

  • 5 ancho peppers stems and seeds removed
  • 5 guajillo peppers stems and seeds removed
  • 2-3 chiles de arbol optional, for spicier

Base Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large white onion chopped
  • 3 large tomatoes chopped
  • 5 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1 tablespoon dried Mexican oregano
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 0.5 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 large roasted tomatoes chopped
  • 4 cups beef stock separated
  • 3.5 pounds lamb shoulder or beef shank or chuck roast

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Heat a large pan to medium heat and add the dried peppers. Dry toast them in the hot pan 1-2 minutes per side, until the skins darken.
  • Remove from heat and add the toasted peppers to a large bowl. Cover with hot water and steep for 20 minutes, or until softened.
  • While the peppers are rehydrating, heat the olive oil in the same pan to medium heat.
  • Add the onion and tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes to soften.
  • Add the garlic and cook another 1 minute, stirring.
  • Add the cooked onion, tomatoes and garlic to a food processor.
  • Remove the softened chilies and add to the food processor, but reserve the soaking liquid.
  • Add the seasonings to the food processor along with the vinegar and 1 cup beef stock. Process until smooth.
  • Cut the lamb (or beef) into large chunks and add to a large bowl.
  • Pour the birria sauce over them and rub it into the meat. Cover and marinate the meat in the refrigerator for 2 hours minimum.
  • When you're ready to cook, add the meat with all of the marinade, the chopped roasted tomatoes and remaining 3 cups beef broth to a large pot. Cover and cook at medium heat for 3 hours.
  • Serve the braised birria into bowls as a soup, or shred the meat and serve it up onto tortillas as birria tacos.

Notes

For a much smoother sauce, strain it through a fine sieve. Some people find the skins of anchos and guajillos to be slightly bitter, and straining can reduce this.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 335kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 40gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 1251mgPotassium: 988mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1022IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 65mgIron: 5mg
Keyword ancho, beef, goat, guajillo, lamb, stew
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