Birria de res — beef birria — is the dish that defines Jalisco cooking and has become one of the most searched Mexican recipes in the world. The consomé, the braised beef, the corn tortillas dipped in fat and toasted crispy — it is a complex dish but a logical one once you understand the structure. Every component is cooked in lard or the rendered fat of the braised beef. This is seed oil free Mexican cooking in its most authentic form.
What Makes Birria Different
Birria is a braised meat dish, usually beef or goat, slow-cooked in a dried chilli broth with warming spices — cinnamon, cloves, cumin, oregano. The meat shreds after 3-4 hours of low heat. The braising liquid becomes the consomé — a rich, deeply coloured broth served alongside the tacos for dipping. The tortillas are dipped in the fat that rises to the surface of the consomé before being toasted, which is what gives birria tacos their distinctive red colour and crispy exterior.
The Chilli Base
Authentic birria uses dried Mexican chillies — ancho, guajillo, and pasilla as the base, with chipotle for smoke. These chillies are dried and then rehydrated in hot water or briefly toasted before blending. Each variety contributes a different flavour note: ancho is sweet and raisin-like, guajillo is tangy and slightly fruity, pasilla is earthy and chocolatey, chipotle is smoky. The blend creates the complex, layered flavour that distinguishes birria from simpler braised beef dishes.
Serves 6 · Prep 30 min · Cook 4 hours
Ingredients
- 1.5kg beef chuck or short rib, cut into large pieces
- 4 dried guajillo chillies, stems and seeds removed
- 2 dried ancho chillies, stems and seeds removed
- 2 dried chipotle chillies
- 1 onion, quartered
- 6 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 3 cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 litre beef stock
- 3 tbsp lard
- Salt to taste
- For tacos: corn tortillas, diced white onion, fresh coriander, lime
Method
- Toast dried chillies in a dry pan 30 seconds per side until fragrant. Cover with boiling water and soak 20 minutes.
- Blend soaked chillies with soaking water, onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, cinnamon, and cloves until smooth.
- Heat lard in a large pot over high heat. Brown beef in batches until deeply coloured on all sides.
- Pour chilli sauce over the beef. Add stock, bay leaves, and enough water to cover.
- Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on lowest heat for 3.5-4 hours until beef shreds easily.
- Remove beef and shred. Strain the consomé and season with salt.
- For tacos: dip tortillas in the fat layer of the consomé, then toast in a hot pan. Fill with shredded beef, diced onion, and coriander. Serve with consomé for dipping.
The Consomé
The consomé is half the dish. Serve it hot in small cups or bowls alongside the tacos for dipping between bites. Skim the fat from the surface if you prefer a cleaner broth, or leave it — that fat is flavour, rendered from the beef over four hours of slow cooking, and it is the same fat that crisps the tortillas. Season it generously with salt and serve with fresh lime.
Can I use a slow cooker?
Yes — brown the beef and build the chilli sauce as above, then transfer to a slow cooker on low for 8-10 hours. The slow cooker method is particularly convenient for overnight cooking.
Where to find dried Mexican chillies?
Most well-stocked supermarkets carry guajillo and ancho. Mexican groceries stock the full range. Online suppliers carry everything. Dried chillies keep for months in an airtight container.
Can I make birria with chicken?
Yes — birria de pollo uses the same chilli base. Chicken takes 1.5-2 hours rather than 4. Use bone-in thighs for more flavour.
Related guides: Vegetable Oil Substitute Guide · Seed Oil Free Chicken Nuggets
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