Birria (Slow Cooker)
Enjoy this flavorful Birria (Slow Cooker) made with tender beef and rich spices, perfect for a delicious Mexican meal.
Equipment
- slow cooker
- Vitamix Blender
Ingredients
Beef Birria (Birria de Rez)
- 4 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 3-inch chunks
Birria Sauce
- 10 pieces guajillo chiles
- 5 pieces ancho chilies
- 3 pieces arbol chilies
- 2 pieces Roma tomatoes
- 1 whole white onion, quartered
- 6 cloves garlic, unpeeled
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cloves
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3 pieces bay leaves
- optional: chopped onion, cilantro, and lime wedges for serving
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Deseed the chilies. Slice the stems off the chilies and shake out the seeds. Then, give them a quick rinse to remove any dust or dirt from the outside.
- Simmer the chilies. In a medium pot, add the guajillo chilies, ancho chilies, arbol chilies. Cover completely with water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer for 15 minutes, until the chilies have softened.
- Roast the veggies. While the chilies are simmering, add the tomatoes, onion, and garlic cloves to a quarter sheet pan. Broil them for 4 to 6 minutes, until lightly charred.
- Make the sauce. Transfer the chilies and 1 cup of the remaining water to a high-powered blender. Remove the garlic from its peel and add it to the blender along with the tomatoes, onion, broth, vinegar, salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger. Blend on high for 1 to 2 minutes, until completely smooth.
- Slow cook the birria. Place the beef chunks in the slow cooker. Pour the birria sauce on top, and add the bay leaves. Use tongs to gently mix it all together. Then cover. Cook on low for 8 to 9 hours, or on high for 4 to 5 hours. The beef should be tender and fall apart easily when shredded with a fork.
- Shred the meat. Discard the bay leaves. Remove the beef to a cutting board and use two forks to shred it.
- Combine the meat and sauce. Place the shredded beef back in the slow cooker, give it a stir, and let it absorb the liquid (aka consommé).
- Serve. Serve the birria straight from the slow cooker for a variety of meals or transfer to bowls with the consommé for a traditional birria stew. Garnish with chopped onion, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.
Notes
If you're making this in a Dutch oven, sear the chuck roast on all sides in the pot until browned, then set aside. Make the sauce as is, pour it into the pot with the meat, and toss it together. Bring this to a boil over high heat, reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 3 to 3 ½ hours. If you can't find Mexican oregano, substitute with marjoram. For less heat, reduce or omit the arbol chilies. If you have a Mexican cinnamon stick, you can substitute a 4-inch piece for the ground cinnamon. To store for the week, let the meat come to room temperature before placing it in an airtight container. It’ll stay good for 4 to 5 days in the fridge. To freeze for later, store any leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave for a few minutes, until warmed through.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cupCalories: 514kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 48gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 156mgSodium: 902mgPotassium: 1454mgFiber: 8gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 7174IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 70mgIron: 7mg
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