Go Back
A bowl of Beef Birria, a traditional Mexican stew, garnished with cilantro and lime.

Beef Birria

Copy Recipes
A traditional Mexican dish featuring tender beef slow-cooked in a smoky adobo sauce, perfect as a stew or tacos.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch Oven or Heavy-Bottomed Pot
  • 2 Blender
  • 3 Skillet

Ingredients
  

Adobo Sauce

  • 6 dried guajillo chiles
  • 3 dried ancho chiles
  • 3 dried arbol chiles
  • 2 ripe Roma tomatoes
  • 1 white onion
  • 5 garlic cloves
  • 1 small Mexican cinnamon stick
  • 1 tbsp Mexican oregano
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • ¾ tsp ground cloves
  • 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup beef stock

For the Beef

  • 3 pounds beef chuck roast
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 dried bay leaves
  • 3 cups beef stock

For Serving

  • Fresh cilantro
  • White onion, diced
  • Lime wedges
  • Warm corn tortillas

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Chiles: Toast guajillo, ancho, and arbol chiles in a skillet, soak in hot water until softened.
  • Make the Adobo Sauce: Blend softened chiles, roasted tomatoes, onion, garlic, and spices with beef stock until smooth.
  • Sear the Beef: Heat oil in a Dutch oven and sear seasoned beef chunks until golden brown.
  • Simmer the Birria: Add the adobo sauce, bay leaves, and beef stock to the pot. Cover and simmer for 3-3.5 hours until tender.
  • Shred the Beef: Remove beef from pot and shred. Mix with consommé before serving.
Keyword Adobo Sauce, Beef Birria, Birria Tacos, Mexican Stew