Description
This Mexican Birria Recipe is a traditional dish featuring tender, flavorful meat in a rich, spicy broth. Perfect for warming up on a chilly evening or for entertaining guests with its bold flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Birria Sauce:
- 5 ancho peppers (stems and seeds removed)
- 5 guajillo peppers (stems and seeds removed)
- 2–3 chiles de arbol (optional, for spicier)
- 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
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 large roasted tomatoes (chopped)
- 4 cups beef stock (separated)
Meat:
- 3.5 pound lamb shoulder (or beef shank or chuck roast)
Instructions
- Toast Peppers: 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.
- Soften Peppers: Remove from heat and add the toasted peppers to a large bowl. Cover with hot water and steep 20 minutes, or until softened.
- Heat Pan: While the peppers are rehydrating, heat the olive oil in the same pan to medium heat.
- Onion and Tomatoes: Add the onion and tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes to soften.
- Garlic: Add the garlic and cook another 1 minute, stirring.
- Food Processor: Add the cooked onion, tomatoes, and garlic to a food processor.
- Chilies: Remove the softened chilies and add to the food processor, but reserve the soaking liquid.
- Process Until Smooth: Add the seasonings to the food processor along with the vinegar and 1 cup of beef stock. Process until smooth.
- Meat: Cut the lamb (or beef) into large chunks and marinate in the birria sauce for at least 2 hours.
- Simmer: Cook the marinated meat, roasted tomatoes, and remaining beef broth in a pot for 3 hours until the meat is tender.
- Serve: Serve the birria as a soup or shred the meat for birria tacos.
Notes
- You can strain the sauce for a smoother consistency.
- Marinating the meat overnight enhances the flavors.
- Add more beef stock or soaking liquid for a soupier consistency.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 1100mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Keywords: Mexican Birria, Birria Recipe, Birria Tacos, Mexican Stew
