The Zesty Authentic Mexican Birria Recipe You’ll Adore

Tender, juicy meat falls apart with the slightest touch in this incredible mexican birria recipe that brings the heart of jalisco straight to your kitchen.

Slow-cooked beef transforms into a mouthwatering delicacy that melts on your tongue.

rich, deep flavors blend perfectly with traditional spices and chiles.

The aroma fills every corner of your home, promising a feast that awakens all senses.

Authentic techniques combine with simple ingredients to create a dish that speaks volumes about mexican culinary tradition.

Each bite tells a story of generations of cooking wisdom passed down through time.

Prepare to be transported by this irresistible comfort food that will have everyone asking for seconds.

FAQs

• What type of meat works best for this beef stew?

Chuck roast or beef shoulder are ideal because they have enough fat and connective tissue to become tender during long, slow cooking, which helps create a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

• Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?

Yes, after searing the meat and preparing the sauce, transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours until the meat is extremely tender and easily shreds.

• Is this a spicy dish?

The recipe uses chiles, which can add mild to moderate heat depending on the specific type of chile used. You can control the spice level by choosing milder or hotter chiles or adjusting the quantity.

Rich Beef Stew Satisfying Features

• Savor Tender Perfection: This rich beef stew transforms tough meat into melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness through slow cooking, guaranteeing a mouthwatering meal that feels like a culinary hug.
• Master Complex Flavors: The multi-step recipe with chile, tomato, and spice blending creates a deeply layered sauce that elevates simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish anyone can recreate at home.
• Versatile Meal Solution: Whether served as a hearty stew or stuffed into tacos, this recipe offers flexible dining options that please everyone from picky eaters to adventurous food lovers.
• Simple Technique, Gourmet Results: Breaking down the cooking process into straightforward steps makes this seemingly complicated recipe accessible for home cooks of all skill levels, turning an intimidating dish into an achievable kitchen triumph.

Rich Beef Stew Ingredient Essentials

• Beef: A tender, flavorful meat that becomes melt-in-your-mouth soft after slow cooking.

• Chiles, Tomatoes, Onion: A classic combination that provides a rich, spicy, and aromatic foundation for the stew.
• Spices: A blend that adds depth and complexity to the overall flavor profile.

• Water, Broth: Provide moisture and help tenderize the meat during cooking.
• Vinegar: Adds a subtle tangy note that brightens the overall flavor.
• Garlic: Brings a pungent, aromatic element to the sauce.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the meat and other ingredients.
• Cooking Oil: Used for searing the meat and creating a flavorful base for the stew.

Preparing Hearty Beef Stew

Step 1: Prepare Meat Seasoning

Generously sprinkle salt and pepper over the beef, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with the seasonings.

Step 2: Searing the Meat

Heat a large pot with oil over medium-high heat.

Carefully place beef pieces into the hot oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Brown the meat on all sides until a rich, golden crust forms, creating deep flavor and texture.

Step 3: Create Flavor Base

• Dried chiles
• Ripe tomatoes
• Chopped onions
• Aromatic spices

Boil the mixture in water for 10 minutes, allowing the ingredients to release their intense flavors and create a robust foundation for the stew.

Step 4: Develop Smooth Sauce

• Cooking water
• Beef broth
• Vinegar
• Minced garlic
• Additional spices

Pulse until the mixture becomes a smooth, fragrant sauce with complex layers of taste.

Step 5: Strain and Combine

Carefully strain the blended sauce into the pot containing the seared meat, ensuring no solid pieces remain and creating a silky liquid base.

Step 6: Slow Cooking

Cover the pot and simmer on low heat for 3-3½ hours.

The slow cooking process will transform the meat into tender, melt-in-your-mouth pieces that absorb all the rich flavors.

Step 7: Final Preparation

Gently shred the cooked meat using two forks.

Return the shredded meat to the sauce, mixing thoroughly.

Serve as a hearty stew or use as a filling for delicious tacos.

Pro Tips for Beef Stew Perfection

• Choose chuck roast or short ribs for maximum tenderness and rich flavor that melts in your mouth.
• Pat meat dry before browning to develop a deep, caramelized crust that locks in delicious juices.
• Toast whole spices briefly before grinding to release intense, complex aromatics that elevate the entire dish.
• Use a mix of dried chiles like guajillo and ancho for layered, authentic Mexican flavor profile without overwhelming heat.
• Low and slow cooking breaks down tough meat fibers, ensuring melt-in-your-mouth texture after 3-3½ hours of gentle simmering.

Beef Stew Variations and Swaps

• Vegetarian Hearty Jackfruit Stew: Replace beef with young jackfruit, mimicking tender meat texture while adding plant-based protein and maintaining rich spicy flavor profile.
• Chicken Alternative Stew: Swap beef with chicken thighs, reducing cooking time to 2 hours while preserving original sauce and spice blend for lighter protein option.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Beef Stew: Eliminate traditional water-based sauce, use bone broth instead, add cauliflower florets for reduced carbohydrate content and increased vegetable nutrition.
• Gluten-Free Mexican Stew: Ensure all spices and ingredients are certified gluten-free, use tamari instead of traditional vinegar, maintain authentic chile and tomato base for traditional taste.

Serving Rich Beef Stew Warm

• Hearty Comfort Plate: Serve this rich beef stew over steamed white rice or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce.
• Taco Transformation: Warm soft corn tortillas and fill with shredded beef, top with fresh cilantro, diced onions, and a squeeze of lime for a zesty meal.
• Rustic Side Companions: Pair with crusty bread or cornbread to mop up every last drop of the flavorful sauce, creating a complete and satisfying dining experience.
• Garnish Glow-Up: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley, add a dollop of sour cream, or crumble queso fresco on top for extra texture and flavor complexity.

Storage Advice for Beef Stew Leftovers

• Store leftover beef stew in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Allow stew to reach room temperature before transferring to storage containers, preventing condensation and potential soggy texture.
• Keep refrigerated beef stew for 3-4 days maximum, checking for any unusual odors or discoloration before reheating.
• Pack cooled stew in freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion, and store up to 3 months for later enjoyment.

Mexican Birria Recipe

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4.6 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering Mexican Birria brings authentic slow-cooked beef traditions to your kitchen, blending rich spices and tender meat. Succulent flavors and hearty textures invite you to savor a classic dish that connects culinary heritage with comfort.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 4–5 pounds chuck roast, cut in 4-inch chunks
• 12 tablespoons kosher salt
• 12 tablespoons black pepper
• 112 tablespoons olive oil

Chiles and Spices:

• 12 guajillo chiles, cleaned (2.5 ounces / 70 grams)
• 5 ancho chiles, cleaned (2 ounces / 57 grams)
• 5 arbol chiles, stemmed (0.1 ounces / 3 grams)
• 1 4-inch Mexican cinnamon stick
• 12 teaspoon whole peppercorns
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
• 12 teaspoon ground cloves

Aromatics and Liquids:

• 2 large Roma tomatoes
• 12 medium yellow onion
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 cups beef broth
• 14 cup white vinegar
• 5 cloves garlic

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Instructions

1. Generously coat beef pieces with salt and black pepper, ensuring even seasoning.
2. Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until shimmering.
3. Carefully place meat in pot, working in batches to avoid overcrowding, and sear each side until deep golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.
4. In a separate pan, combine chiles, tomatoes, onion, and spices with water, bringing to a rolling boil for 10 minutes to extract maximum flavor.
5. Transfer boiled ingredients to blender, adding cooking liquid, broth, vinegar, garlic, and additional spices; blend until smooth and uniform.
6. Strain the vibrant sauce through a fine-mesh sieve directly into the pot with seared meat, removing any potential solids.
7. Bring sauce and meat to a boil, then immediately reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 2.5-3 hours until meat becomes incredibly tender and almost falls apart.
8. Remove meat from sauce, shred using two forks, and return to the rich cooking liquid.
9. Serve hot as a hearty stew or use as a filling for authentic tacos, garnishing with fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

• Searing meat deeply enhances flavor profiles by creating delicious caramelized exterior and locking in rich juices.
• Batch browning prevents overcrowding, ensuring each meat piece develops perfect golden-brown crust without steaming.
• Consider using chuck roast or short ribs for maximum tenderness and deeper meat flavor in this hearty stew.
• Gluten-free adaptation works perfectly by replacing wheat-based ingredients with cornstarch or alternative thickening agents.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 950mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 35g
• Cholesterol: 100mg