Beef Birria (Mexican Stew) – Stovetop, slow cooker, or Instant Pot

Beef birria is a slow-cooked, savory Mexican stew made with beef, a blend of chile peppers, onion, garlic, and a variety of spices. This dish is warm and inviting with a depth of flavor that goes unmatched. Naturally gluten-free.

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I am so excited to share this recipe with you. Like SO, SO excited!!!! It’s by far my favorite dish. The absolute best recipe I’ve ever developed! Hands down.

So I was browsing social media one day and happened to watch a short video about a food truck that was serving birria tacos. They looked so freaking amazing that I was bound and determined to replicate them.

Prior to that I’d never heard of birria. How about you??

Anywho, birria is a Mexican stew originating from the state of Jalisco. Traditionally it was made with goat, however, this recipe calls for beef as it is more accessible. Alternately it can be made with chicken, veal, lamb, or pork. Aside from beef, I’ve only tried it with pork. And it was delicious, but not as good as the beef version in my opinion.

The incredible depth of flavor and richness of this dish is the result of the plethora of spices and aromatics that were originally incorporated in an attempt to mask the gaminess of the goat meat.

Since it is slow-cooked at a low temperature the beef is super tender and infused with flavor. It will smell so good that you may be tempted to dig into it before it’s stewed long enough, but I urge you not to; the longer you cook it the better!! You have to allow time for the meat to tenderize and the flavors to meld.

The broth is hearty, uber flavorful, and contains just the right amount of fat. The majestic aroma lures you in and the pure comfort of each bite leaves you longing for more. The flavors of this dish are so complex and enticing I swear you’ll be left dreaming about it. For real, I’ve made it four times in the last six weeks!!!

So what do you need to make this stew? (+ substitutions)

• Beef chuck roast: As mentioned above, you may also make this dish with chicken, veal, goat, lamb, or pork. Aside from beef, I have only tried pork thus far. If you opt to sub pork, I recommend a pork butt roast. The recipe calls for three pounds, however, it does not need to be exact. I’ve used the same ratio of ingredients for a 3 1/3 pound roast.
• Salt and pepper
• Chile de árbols and guajillo chile peppers: Luckily my local supermarket carries both varieties. If yours does not, however, they are also available at Mexican markets or online through Amazon.
• Garlic
• White onion
• Water
• Spices: Paprika, cumin, oregano, ground clove, bay leaves, and a cinnamon stick. A handful of people have indicated that the clove is a bit overpowering. If you are not fond of clove, I recommend only adding a pinch or leaving it out altogether.
• Optional toppings: Fresh squeezed lime juice, cilantro, and diced white onion. I highly recommend not skipping the toppings!!

How do you make beef birria? ( + tips)

Birria is actually very simple to make. It requires little prep, but does need to cook for a significant amount of time. However, since it’s kept at a simmer, it requires little monitoring.

The first step is to sprinkle the meat liberally with salt and pepper. Make sure you cover both sides, then rub it in and set it aside.

Next you will need to remove the stems and seeds from the chiles and place them in a pot along with the onion and garlic. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Continue boiling for 15 minutes.

Transfer one cup of the cooking liquid, the chiles, onion, and garlic to a blender. Add the paprika, cumin, oregano, ground clove, salt, and black pepper and pulse until smooth.

Cut the meat into large chunks and place in a large pot or dutch oven. Pour in the chile mixture and add just enough water to submerge the meat. You don’t want to add too much water or it will dilute the consomé and you will lose flavor. Add the bay leaves and cinnamon stick.

For stovetop: Bring it to a boil, cover, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook for four to six hours. The longer the better as the meat will be much more tender and flavorful.

Remove the meat and shred it using to forks.

Return it to the pot/dutch oven and simmer for an additional one to two hours.

For slow cooker: Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours or high for 5-6 hours; shred meat and return to pot. At this point you can go and serve it or allow to cook an additional 1-2 hours if time allows. The extra cooking time really allows the meat to absorb more flavor and tenderizes it more.

For Instant Pot: Close the lid and pressure valve and pressure cook on high for 45 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally, then do a quick release. Shred the meat and return to pot.

Prior to serving remove the bay leaves and cinnamon stick. Serve warm with your choice of toppings.

How to store

Refrigerate in an airtight container or up to four days or freeze for up to three months.

What else can I do with birria?

• Beef Birria Tacos w/ Consomé: These birria tacos are EVERYTHING!! They start with two corn tortillas dipped in consomé, then stuffed with cheese, and fried (Quesadilla!!). Next comes succulent, flavorful beef topped with onions, cilantro, and fresh lime juice. Served with a side of consomé for dipping.
• Birria Ramen w/ Quesadilla Strips: Birria ramen is a wonderful way to use up leftover birria. It begins with a consomé based broth that is thick, rich, and a bit spicy, then noodles, tender beef, soft boiled eggs, crispy quesadilla strips, and of course, TOPPINGS! This fusion style ramen is guaranteed to knock your socks off!!

If you make this beef birria I’d love your feedback. Please leave a comment and/or a rating below as I greatly value your opinion. Or snap a pic and tag me on Instragram @taoofspiceblog. Love, light and happy cooking ya’ll ♥