Slow Cooker Birria
Slow Cooker Birria is a rich, flavorful Mexican dish made with tender, slow-cooked beef simmered in a deeply seasoned chili broth. This homemade birria is ideal for meal prep, family dinners, or special gatherings.
Ingredients
Meat
- 3 lbs beef chuck roast or short ribs, cut into large chunks
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp oil optional, for searing
- Birria Sauce
- 4 dried guajillo chilies stems and seeds removed
- 2 dried ancho chilies stems and seeds removed
- 1 medium onion roughly chopped
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 Roma tomatoes chopped
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried Mexican oregano
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 cloves optional
For Serving (Optional)
- Corn tortillas
- Shredded cheese Oaxaca or mozzarella
- Fresh cilantro chopped
- Diced onion
- Lime wedges
Instructions
Soften the Chilies
- Place dried guajillo and ancho chilies in a bowl and cover with hot water. Let them soak for about 10–15 minutes until softened.
Make the Birria Sauce
- Transfer softened chilies to a blender. Add onion, garlic, tomatoes, beef broth, vinegar, cumin, oregano, paprika, cinnamon, and cloves. Blend until smooth.
Optional: Sear the Meat
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season beef with salt and pepper, then sear on all sides until browned. This step adds extra flavor but can be skipped.
Slow Cook
- Place beef into the slow cooker. Pour the blended sauce over the meat and add bay leaves.
- Cook on:
- LOW for 8–10 hours, or
- HIGH for 5–6 hours
- The meat should be tender and easy to shred.
Shred the Meat
- Remove beef from the slow cooker and shred with two forks. Return shredded meat to the broth and stir to combine.
Serve
- Serve birria as a stew or use it to make tacos. Garnish with cilantro, onion, and lime wedges. Use the broth (consommé) for dipping.
Notes
- Chuck roast works best because it becomes tender during slow cooking.
- Blend the sauce thoroughly for a smooth texture.
- Flavor improves after resting in the broth for 15–20 minutes.
- Adjust salt after cooking to taste.
Nutrition
Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 38gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 620mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3g
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