Traditional Mexican Birria Made the Authentic Way
We present an authentic Mexican Birria recipe, a rich and deeply flavored meat stew originating from the state of Jalisco. Traditionally prepared with goat or lamb and now commonly made with beef, birria is slow-cooked in a robust chili-based sauce until the meat is irresistibly tender. This iconic dish is celebrated for its bold depth, aromatic spices, and versatility, served either as a comforting stew or transformed into famous birria tacos with consommé.
Prepared low and slow, this recipe honors traditional techniques while remaining approachable for home cooks seeking genuine Mexican flavors.
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Mexican Birria Recipe: Authentic Slow-Cooked Stew from Jalisco
- Total Time: 5 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
Authentic Mexican Birria is a slow-cooked meat stew from Jalisco made with lamb, goat, or beef braised in a rich chili sauce. Perfect as a comforting stew or shredded for famous birria tacos served with consommé.
Ingredients
5 ancho peppers, stems and seeds removed
5 guajillo peppers, stems and seeds removed
2–3 chiles de arbol (optional)
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
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
2 large roasted tomatoes, chopped
4 cups beef stock, divided
3.5 pounds lamb shoulder or beef shank or chuck roast
Instructions
1. Heat a large pan to medium heat and dry toast the dried peppers for 1 to 2 minutes per side until skins darken.
2. Remove peppers and soak them in hot water for 20 minutes until softened.
3. Heat olive oil in the same pan and cook onion and tomatoes for 5 minutes.
4. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring.
5. Transfer onion mixture to a food processor.
6. Add softened peppers, seasonings, vinegar, and 1 cup beef stock to the processor.
7. Blend until smooth, straining if desired.
8. Cut meat into large chunks and place in a bowl.
9. Pour sauce over meat, rub to coat, cover, and marinate at least 2 hours or overnight.
10. Add meat, marinade, roasted tomatoes, and remaining beef stock to a large pot.
11. Cover and cook at medium heat for 3 hours until meat is fork tender.
12. Serve as stew or shred meat for birria tacos with consommé.
Notes
For a smoother sauce, strain the blended chili sauce through a fine sieve.
Meat can be browned before braising for added depth of flavor.
Add reserved chili soaking liquid or extra broth for a soupier birria.
Birria stores well and tastes even better the next day.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Braising
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 335
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1251mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0.4g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 121mg
Keywords: mexican birria, birria recipe, birria tacos, authentic birria
Why This Birria Recipe Delivers Exceptional Flavor
This birria stands out because it layers flavor at every stage. Dried ancho and guajillo peppers are lightly toasted to unlock their complexity, then blended with aromatics, spices, vinegar, and stock to create a velvety, deeply seasoned sauce. The meat marinates in this sauce, allowing flavors to penetrate fully before long, gentle braising.
The result is meat that shreds effortlessly and a broth that is rich, savory, and perfect for dipping tortillas.
Key Ingredients That Define Authentic Birria
Ancho peppers provide mild heat with notes of raisin and chocolate, while guajillo peppers add brightness and depth. Optional chiles de arbol increase heat for those who prefer spice.
White onion, tomatoes, and garlic form the aromatic backbone, while Mexican oregano, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper give birria its signature warmth. Apple cider vinegar adds acidity to balance richness.
Lamb shoulder, beef shank, or chuck roast slowly braises in the sauce, becoming tender while enriching the broth with body and flavor.
Step-by-Step Method for Perfect Birria
We begin by heating a large pan over medium heat and dry-toasting the dried peppers until their skins darken slightly. This step enhances flavor without bitterness. The peppers are then soaked in hot water until softened.
In the same pan, olive oil is heated and the onion and tomatoes are cooked until softened, followed by garlic. These aromatics are transferred to a food processor along with the softened chilies, spices, vinegar, and beef stock. The mixture is blended into a thick, smooth sauce.
The meat is cut into large chunks and thoroughly coated with the birria sauce. It is then covered and marinated for at least two hours, allowing the flavors to fully develop.
When ready to cook, the marinated meat is transferred to a large pot along with roasted tomatoes and beef stock. The birria simmers gently for three hours until the meat is fork-tender and easy to shred.
Serving Birria as Stew or Tacos
Birria is traditionally served two ways. As a stew, it is ladled into bowls with generous amounts of broth and meat. For tacos, the meat is shredded and placed into tortillas, often dipped in the consommé and pan-fried until crisp. The remaining broth is served alongside for dipping.
Fresh toppings such as chopped onion, cilantro, and lime elevate both presentations.
Texture and Sauce Customization
For an ultra-smooth sauce, straining the blended chili mixture through a fine sieve removes pepper skins and results in a silky broth. Those who prefer deeper flavor can brown the marinated meat before braising to add caramelized notes.
Adjusting broth quantity allows control over thickness, making the dish suitable as either a stew or taco filling.
Storage and Reheating
Birria stores exceptionally well. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to four days and often taste better the next day. The stew also freezes well for up to three months. Reheat gently on the stovetop to preserve texture and flavor.
A Mexican Classic Worth Mastering
We consider this Mexican Birria recipe a cornerstone of traditional Mexican cooking. Its rich sauce, tender meat, and versatility make it ideal for family meals, celebrations, and unforgettable tacos. Properly prepared, birria delivers depth, warmth, and authenticity in every bite.