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Birria Enchiladas

Birria Enchiladas

Birria Enchiladas are warm, comforting, spicy, and cheesy, showcasing one of Mexico’s most celebrated dishes.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 1 hour
Slow-Cooker Time 4 hours
Total Time 6 hours
Course main dish
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 8 servings
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • High-Powered Blender
  • Slow Cooker

Ingredients
  

For the meat and consommé

  • 4-5 pounds chuck roast (cut into large chunks)
  • ½ tablespoon kosher salt
  • ½ tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
  • 12 pieces guajillo chiles (stemmed, seeded, and rinsed)
  • 5 pieces ancho chiles (stemmed, seeded, and rinsed)
  • 5 pieces chiles de árbol (stemmed, seeded, and rinsed)
  • 2 medium tomatoes (4 ounces/120g)
  • 1 medium yellow onion
  • 1 stick Mexican cinnamon (about 2 inches)
  • 3 leaves bay leaves
  • ½ teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • 2 cups beef stock or vegetable stock (475mL)
  • 3 tablespoons white vinegar (or pickling liquid)
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 7 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon coriander

For the sauce

  • 3 tablespoons to ¼ cup white sugar
  • 4-6 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 3-5 small corn tortillas
  • Braising liquid as directed

For the enchiladas

  • 16 pieces tortillas (flour or corn)
  • 2 cups cooked white rice (400g)
  • 3 cups Oaxaca or Chihuahua cheese (12 ounces/500g)
  • Optional for garnish Cilantro, Cotija cheese, lime wedges, pickled or raw onion

Instructions
 

Step-by-Step Instructions

  • Generously season the meat with salt and pepper on all sides, and heat the olive oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat (or use a slow-cooker on the sear setting, if you have one). Working in batches, add the meat and sear on all sides until browned. Transfer the browned meat to a platter, and remove your pot from the heat.
  • While the meat is searing, add the chiles, tomatoes, onion, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, and peppercorns to a medium pot. Cover completely with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 10 minutes.
  • Using a slotted spoon, transfer the softened chiles and all the other ingredients to a large blender. Add 1 cup of the chile-soaked cooking water, the beef broth, white vinegar, garlic, cumin, oregano, cloves, and coriander. Blend on high for a few minutes until completely smooth. Strain the blended sauce through a fine mesh strainer into the pot with the seared meat. Discard any solids left behind.
  • Add the meat and chili sauce to a heavy pot or your slow-cooker. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 3 to 4 hours until the meat is fall-apart tender. You may also use your slow-cooker on the low setting; it will take closer to 5-6 hours.
  • Transfer the meat to a platter, and shred it using two forks. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Add a cup of the consommé to a blender with 2 corn tortillas. Blend until smooth, and check the consistency, continuing to add corn tortillas until you are satisfied with the consistency and return to the pot with the rest of the consommé. Gradually add the apple cider vinegar and white sugar, tasting as you go, until the sauce has lost its bitter flavor.
  • Spoon some consommé into the bottom of a large pan to create a thin layer. Fill a tortilla with a spoonful of rice, cheese, and shredded birria meat, roll, and place into the pan. Continue adding enchiladas side by side in the pan (they can be snug). If needed, you can use a second pan.
  • Cover enchiladas with consommé sauce and top with Oaxaca or Chihuahua cheese. Bake, covered, for 30 mins, then uncover and bake for 10 mins or until the cheese is bubbling.

Nutrition

Serving: 1enchiladaCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 25gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 15mg
Keyword Birria Enchiladas, Comfort Food, enchiladas, Mexican food, Slow Cooker, spicy enchiladas
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