Birria de Res (Beef Birria)

Birria de Res is a deeply flavorful Mexican beef stew that’s slowly simmered with dried chiles and spices until the meat is fall-apart tender. Traditionally served as a stew or in tacos with consomé for dipping, it’s a bold, rich, comforting dish perfect for sharing.

🍴 Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the Meat & Marinade:

3 lbs beef chuck roast (or a mix of chuck and short ribs)
Salt and pepper, to taste
3 dried guajillo chiles
2 dried ancho chiles
2 dried pasilla chiles
4 cups beef broth
1 small onion, quartered
5 garlic cloves
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp ground cinnamon
2 bay leaves
¼ tsp ground cloves
1 tbsp tomato paste

Optional for Serving:

Corn tortillas
Chopped white onion
Fresh cilantro
Lime wedges
Shredded cheese

🔥 Instructions

Prepare the Chiles:
Remove stems and seeds from all dried chiles. Toast them briefly in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Then soak in hot water for 15 minutes until softened.

Make the Marinade:
In a blender, combine softened chiles, onion, garlic, vinegar, cumin, oregano, cinnamon, cloves, tomato paste, and 1 cup of beef broth. Blend until smooth.

Marinate the Beef:
Cut beef into large chunks and season with salt and pepper. Place in a large bowl or zip-top bag and pour the marinade over the meat. Cover and marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight in the fridge.

Simmer the Stew:
Transfer the marinated beef and marinade to a large pot or Dutch oven. Add remaining beef broth and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 3–4 hours, until meat is fork-tender.

Shred the Beef:
Remove beef and shred with two forks. Discard bay leaves. If desired, return the shredded beef to the pot to soak in the consomé (broth).

Serve It Up:
Serve as a stew or tuck the meat into corn tortillas, dip in the broth, and sear on a hot griddle for crispy Birria tacos. Top with onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.

📦 Amazon Must-Haves to Help You Create the Best Birria de Res

🌶️ Dried Guajillo Chiles — A key chile for authentic Birria flavor—mild and fruity with deep red color.
🍲 Dutch Oven — Perfect for slow-cooking your stew evenly and locking in flavor.
🍴 Taco Press — Freshly pressed tortillas take your Birria tacos to the next level.
🧄 Garlic Press — Makes prepping garlic for your marinade quick and easy.
🌿 Dried Mexican Oregano — Adds a citrusy herbal note that complements the rich chile broth.

💡 Helpful Tip: Want crispy Birria tacos? Dip your tortilla in the consomé before filling and searing it in a hot skillet. The result: crispy, cheesy, beefy perfection with every bite.