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Birria Recipe

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Birria Recipe for Ultimate Comfort Food

This birria recipe offers melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, capturing the essence of traditional Jalisco cuisine.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 9 hours
Total Time 9 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Beef
  • 3 pounds Beef Chuck Roast can substitute with brisket for a different texture
For the Sauce
  • 5 pieces Guajillo Chiles substitute with New Mexico chiles for milder taste
  • 3 pieces Ancho Chiles adjust according to your palate
  • 3 pieces Arbol Chiles omit or reduce for milder flavor
  • 2 pieces Roma Tomatoes canned tomatoes can work in a pinch
  • 1 medium White Onion yellow onion is a suitable alternative
  • 6 cloves Garlic Cloves roasting them unpeeled brings out sweetness
  • 4 cups Low-Sodium Beef Broth swap for vegetable broth for non-meat variety
  • 1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar best not to substitute
  • 1 tablespoon Kosher Salt adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Black Pepper adjust to taste
For the Spices
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
  • 1 tablespoon Mexican Oregano essential for authenticity
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cloves
  • 1 stick Ground Cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Ginger
  • 2 leaves Bay Leaves remove before serving
Optional Toppings
  • 1 cup Chopped Onion for contrast
  • 1/2 cup Cilantro for garnish
  • 2 pieces Lime Wedges for zest

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • blender
  • Baking Sheet
  • medium saucepan

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Hearty Slow-Cooked Mexican Birria de Res
  1. Step 1: Prep Chiles - Deseed and rinse the guajillo, ancho, and arbol chiles. Boil them for about 15 minutes until softened.
  2. Step 2: Roast Vegetables - Preheat broiler and roast Roma tomatoes, white onion, and unpeeled garlic cloves until charred.
  3. Step 3: Blend Sauce - Blend softened chiles, broiled vegetables, beef broth, apple cider vinegar, and spices until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Slow Cook - Transfer beef roast to slow cooker, pour sauce over top, add bay leaves, and cook on low for 8-9 hours.
  5. Step 5: Shred Beef - Remove beef, shred into pieces, and return to slow cooker to soak in flavors.
  6. Step 6: Serve - Ladle birria into bowls and garnish with toppings. Enjoy as a stew or in tacos.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowlCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 25gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 850mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 3mg

Notes

This birria recipe is gluten-free and can be stored in the fridge or frozen for future meals.

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