Simmering Spice Magic: Authentic Mexican Birria Recipe

Beef lovers rejoice as this spicy mexican birria recipe brings the vibrant flavors of traditional Mexican cuisine straight to your kitchen.

Tender, succulent meat marinates in a complex blend of rich chili peppers and aromatic spices.

Slow-cooked to perfection, this dish promises a mouthwatering experience that tantalizes every taste bud.

The deep red sauce seeps into each morsel, creating an explosion of intense flavor.

Generations of Mexican cooks have perfected this incredible recipe, passing down techniques that make birria a true culinary treasure.

Each bite transports you to the bustling streets of Jalisco, where this iconic dish originated.

Prepare to savor an authentic meal that celebrates the bold and passionate spirit of Mexican cooking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 9

What You’ll Use In Toffee Chex Mix

• Beef or Goat: Robust protein backbone that becomes tender and flavorful after slow cooking, select well-marbled cuts for maximum richness.
• Salt: Enhances natural meat flavors and helps tenderize protein.
• Black Pepper: Adds warm, sharp undertone to complement meat's richness.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Helps break down meat fibers and adds tangy brightness.

• Dried Chilies: Provide deep, smoky complexity and authentic Mexican warmth, choose fresh, pliable chilies without moisture spots.
• Onion: Creates foundational savory base with natural sweetness.
• Garlic: Delivers aromatic depth and traditional Mexican flavor profile.
• Tomato: Adds natural acidity and helps thicken sauce.
• Cumin: Introduces earthy, slightly nutty undertone characteristic of Mexican cuisine.
• Oregano: Brings herbal notes and traditional Mexican seasoning.
• Cinnamon: Introduces subtle warmth and complexity to sauce.
• Smoked Paprika: Contributes smoky undertone and rich color.
• Beef Broth: Provides liquid base and intensifies meat's umami flavor.

• Cilantro: Fresh herb that adds bright, green flavor contrast.
• Onions: Provide crisp texture and sharp bite.
• Lime: Adds fresh citrus brightness to cut through rich meat.
• Tortillas: Traditional vessel for serving, best when corn-based for authentic experience.

Mixing Tools For Toffee Chex Mix

• Large Dutch Oven or Heavy Pot: Perfect for slow-cooking the meat and developing deep, rich flavors.
• Blender: Essential for creating a smooth, silky birria sauce by combining all sauce ingredients.
• Fine Mesh Sieve: Helps strain the sauce for an ultra-smooth texture.
• Dry Skillet: Used for toasting dried chilies and sauteing vegetables.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Needed for soaking dried chilies.
• Sharp Chef's Knife: For chopping onions, garlic, and preparing ingredients.
• Forks: Used for shredding the tender cooked meat.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for ingredient preparation.

Steps To Toss Together Toffee Chex Mix Quickly

• Awaken the Flavors

Grab your beef or goat and massage it with salt, pepper, and tangy vinegar. Let the meat chill and soak up those zesty seasonings for half an hour.

• Create Magical Sauce

Toast dried chilies in a skillet until they dance with aroma. Soak them in steaming water to soften their spirit. Sauté onions, garlic, and tomatoes until they become golden and fragrant. Blend everything with spices like cumin, oregano, and cinnamon into a silky, vibrant sauce. Strain to ensure ultimate smoothness.

• Transform the Meat

Heat oil in a large pot and sear the meat until it develops a rich, caramelized exterior. Pour in your spectacular sauce and additional broth. Add bay leaves and a cinnamon stick for depth. Simmer low and slow – allowing the meat to become meltingly tender. For speedy cooks, use a pressure cooker or slow cooker.

• Craft Your Feast

Fish out the bay leaves and cinnamon stick. Shred the meat lovingly with two forks, reuniting it with its luxurious broth. Serve as a hearty stew or transform into crispy, dipped tacos garnished with fresh onions, cilantro, and zingy lime.

Flavor Swaps For Toffee Chex Mix

• Flavor-Boosting Meat Prep: Marinate the meat overnight in the refrigerator for deeper, more intense flavor infusion that makes every bite incredibly delicious.
• Chili Pepper Power: Experiment with different dried chilies like guajillo, ancho, or pasilla to create unique flavor profiles that match your personal spice preference and heat tolerance.
• Low-Carb & Keto Twist: Transform this recipe into a hearty stew by serving over cauliflower rice or enjoying as a protein-packed main dish without tortillas, perfect for low-carb diet followers.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Replace meat with jackfruit or mushrooms like oyster or king trumpet for a plant-based version that maintains the rich, complex birria sauce flavors while offering a meaty texture.
• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Prepare larger quantities and freeze portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months, ensuring a quick and delicious meal is always ready when you need it.

Serve Toffee Chex Mix At Parties

• Festive Taco Night Extravaganza: Create a vibrant taco station with warm corn tortillas, fresh cilantro, diced onions, and lime wedges for guests to customize their birria tacos.
• Hearty Comfort Bowl Twist: Serve the birria over steamed white rice or cauliflower rice, topped with fresh herbs and a sprinkle of queso fresco for a complete meal experience.
• Birria Quesadilla Delight: Transform leftover birria into crispy quesadillas by filling flour tortillas with shredded meat and melted cheese, then grilling until golden and crunchy.
• Weekend Brunch Surprise: Top birria with a soft-poached egg and serve alongside warm crusty bread for a luxurious weekend brunch that'll impress family and friends.

Keep Toffee Chex Mix Crunchy

• Tasty Meal Prep Magic: Quick storage and reheating tips for maximum flavor enjoyment.
• Refrigerator Storage Strategy: Keep birria in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The rich broth helps maintain meat moisture and intensifies flavors as it sits.
• Freezer Friendly Technique: Portion out meat and broth separately in freezer-safe containers. Seal tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Flavor Refresh Method: When reheating, add a splash of beef broth to prevent drying. Warm gently on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly and maintain tender meat texture.
• Make-Ahead Meal Mastery: Prepare birria 1-2 days before serving to allow spices and seasonings to develop deeper, richer flavor profile. The dish actually improves with a little resting time in the refrigerator.

Spicy Mexican Birria Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sizzling birria recipe brings authentic Mexican flavors to your kitchen. Slow-cooked beef marinated in rich spices creates a mouthwatering dish you’ll savor with pure delight.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 lbs (1.36 kg) beef chuck roast
• Optional mix of short ribs, shank, or goat meat
• 3 dried guajillo chilies (stems and seeds removed)
• 2 dried ancho chilies (stems and seeds removed)
• 2 dried pasilla chilies (stems and seeds removed)
• 6 cups (1.4 L) beef broth
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) salt
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) adobo sauce (optional)
• 2 tsp (10 mL) cumin
• 1 tsp (5 mL) dried oregano
• 1 tsp (5 mL) smoked paprika
• 1 tsp (5 mL) black pepper
• ½ tsp (2.5 mL) ground cinnamon
• 1 Roma tomato, chopped
• ½ onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Diced onions
• Lime wedges
• Corn tortillas (for tacos)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Marination Ritual: Immerse meat in a harmonious blend of salt, pepper, and apple cider vinegar, allowing flavors to deeply penetrate at ambient temperature for 30-45 minutes.
2. Chili Awakening: Carefully toast dried chilies until they exude a rich, smoky fragrance, then submerge in near-boiling water to rehydrate and soften their intricate texture.
3. Flavor Foundation: In a skillet, caramelize onions, garlic, and tomatoes, coaxing out their natural sweetness and developing a complex flavor base through gentle sautéing.
4. Sauce Transformation: Blend rehydrated chilies, sautéed vegetables, cumin, oregano, cinnamon, smoked paprika, and beef broth into a velvety, uniform sauce with impeccable consistency.
5. Culinary Refinement: Strain the sauce through a fine mesh sieve, eliminating any potential seed fragments and ensuring a silky, luxurious texture.
6. Meat Searing Technique: Heat oil in a large pot and meticulously sear meat on all sides, creating a golden-brown crust that seals in moisture and intensifies flavor profiles.
7. Braising Brilliance: Merge the vibrant birria sauce with beef broth, bay leaves, and a cinnamon stick, crafting a rich, aromatic liquid for slow cooking.
8. Tender Perfection: Utilize slow cooker, stovetop, or instant pot to simmer meat until it reaches an impossibly tender state, fully absorbing the intricate spice blend.
9. Final Preparation: Delicately remove bay leaves and cinnamon stick, then gently shred meat, reuniting it with the spectacular cooking liquid to maintain maximum succulence.
10. Culinary Presentation: Serve as a robust stew or transform into crispy tacos, garnishing with fresh cilantro, diced onions, and a vibrant lime squeeze for an authentic Mexican dining experience.

Notes

• Maximize Meat Flavor: Let meat marinate at room temperature to ensure deep seasoning and tender texture.
• Toast Chilies Carefully: Gently heat dried chilies to unlock smoky essence without burning, releasing maximum flavor potential.
• Strain for Smoothness: Use fine mesh sieve to create silky-smooth sauce, removing any unwanted seeds or tough fragments.
• Temperature Control: Maintain consistent low heat during simmering to prevent meat from becoming tough and preserve delicate spice infusion.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg