Description
Looking for the ultimate comfort food that satisfies your soul and taste buds? This Birria with Rich Chile Sauce is it. Slow-simmered beef becomes fall-apart tender in a deeply spiced, smoky, and tangy chile broth. This dish is a bold and warming centerpiece perfect for cold nights, big family gatherings, or even taco Tuesdays. Whether you’re after easy dinner ideas, meal prep recipes, or a hearty Mexican dish to impress your guests, this easy recipe delivers unforgettable flavor. It’s rich, saucy, and downright addictive—a true food idea for when only comfort will do.
Ingredients
3 pounds chuck roast or beef shank
5 dried guajillo chiles
3 dried ancho chiles
2 dried pasilla chiles
3 roma tomatoes
6 garlic cloves
1 medium onion
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 cinnamon stick
4 whole cloves
2 bay leaves
4 cups beef broth
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 handful fresh cilantro (for garnish)
2 limes, cut into wedges (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Remove seeds and stems from dried chiles. Lightly toast in a dry skillet until fragrant, then soak in hot water to soften.
2. Roast tomatoes until blistered. Blend with softened chiles, garlic, onion, vinegar, cinnamon, cloves, and 1 cup beef broth until smooth.
3. Cut beef into large chunks. Season with salt and pepper. Sear in a heavy pot until browned on all sides.
4. Pour in the blended chile sauce and remaining beef broth. Add bay leaves. Cover and simmer on low for 3–4 hours until beef is shreddable.
5. Remove bay leaves. Shred beef and return to broth. Serve in bowls, garnished with cilantro and lime wedges.
Notes
Toasting the chiles before soaking adds extra depth of flavor. Don’t skip this step.
This dish gets even better the next day, so consider making it ahead for best results.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: birria, chile sauce, beef stew, Mexican recipe, slow cooked, comforting dinner