Beef Birria

4.84 from 6 votes

Beef Birria is a tribute to the beauty of slow-cooked food, marrying beef with an array of spices in a rich stew with layers of deep, earthy flavors. Savored with tortillas or in Quesabirria Tacos or Salpicon de Res, this dish is a humble symphony of taste.

Course Main Course, Main Dish Recipes

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword beef, mexican beef, shredded beef, tacos

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 2 30

Servings servings

Calories 539kcal

Author Robin Donovan

Ingredients

1 ½ pounds beef cut into 1-inch cubes
3 guajillo peppers stemmed, seeded, and torn into pieces
2 tablespoons oil
1 onion sliced
2 garlic cloves chopped
1 cup canned tomatoes
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon chili pepper flakes
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon dried oregano
3 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 bay leaves
Cilantro and diced onion for serving

Instructions

Cut the guajillo into pieces and cut off the stem. Place the pieces in a heat-safe bowl and cover with boiling water. Let stand for 10 minutes.
In a Dutch oven or large saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer the meat to a plate.
Reduce to medium heat and add the onion. Cook, stirring, for 4 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
Add the salt, chili flakes, cumin, cinnamon, and ginger and cook, stirring, for 1 more minute.
Add the the beef broth, apple cider vinegar, and bay leaves into the pan and bring to a boil.
Drain the chiles and put them in a blender with the tomatoes.
Remove the bay leaves from the pan and transfer the sauce from the pan to the blender. Process to a thick puree.
Pour the sauce into the pot and add the beef. Cook on low heat for 2 hours. Add additional water or broth if needed.
When the beef is cooked, let it cool for 15 minutes in the sauce.
Remove the beef from the sauce, reserving the sauce, and shred it using two forks.
Spoon some of the sauce into the beef and stir to make it more moist.

Nutrition