Slow Cooker Birria Recipe (2024)

byChristine |Easy Everyday| 02.20.23

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This Beef Birria recipe is flavorful, versatile, and can be easily made in the slow cooker! With a few simple steps, you can have one of the most deliciously rich meats on hand for tacos, quesadillas, stews, pizza, or even for just adding to a bowl of rice with avocado. This is the kind of recipe you can make a big batch of and enjoy for weeks to come!

Slow Cooker Birria Recipe (1)

Crockpot Birria Recipe

Friends, I love this recipe. And growing up in Texas/now living in Oklahoma, Birria Tacos have been something I love to get at restaurants in the warmer months! It reminds of me eating outside on a patio, sunshine, and being surrounded by great friends.

This recipe is just a really great, solid staple. So rich and flavorful, Birria meat (Birria de res) is perfect for so many things! Simply cook the sauce, blend it, and then strain it over the meat in the slow cooker. It takes a little bit of time to put together and cook, but batch cook this Crockpot Birria recipe and refrigerate it or freeze it for later, and you’ll definitely save time on busy weeknights (and have a meal you’ll actually be excited about ready to go)!

RELATED: 30+ Leftover Chicken Recipes

Slow Cooker Birria Recipe (2)

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:

Beef

  • Short Ribs (Bone-In)
  • Boneless Beef Chuck Roast

Chiles

Seasoning

  • Cumin
  • Ground Ginger
  • Bay Leaf
  • Cinnamon – 1 whole stick or 2 teaspoons ground
  • Clove
  • Thyme
  • Oregano
  • Salt/Pepper

Beef Broth or Water

This recipe calls for water if using bone-in short ribs, and it’s pretty flavorful as is. However, if you’re using boneless ribs or would prefer even more flavor, you can use beef broth instead!

Diced Tomatoes

The cans of diced tomatoes are a definite must, as they add tons of flavor the Birria Sauce!

Onion/Garlic

  • Fresh Onion
  • Freshly Minced Garlic (or whole cloves, smashed)

How to Make Slow Cooker Birria Meat

While it does take a little time to cook Birria meat, the slow cooker method is actually very easy and a great, hands-off approach. It also makes for the most tender meat! I love making this recipe and keeping it on hand. Here’s how to make Slow Cooker Birria Meat:

1. Cook & Blend the Sauce

Cook the vegetables in a large skillet with high sides (or sauté pan). On a separate burner, boil the chilies in water or broth. Pour the cooked chilies and liquid into the large skillet and continue cooking. Once cooled, blend the mixture into a sauce!

2. Add Meat to Slow Cooker

Add the chuck roast and short ribs into the slow cooker, adding a generous amount of salt.

3. Strain Sauce Into Slow Cooker

Strain the blended sauce into the slow cooker over the meat.

4. Cook & Enjoy

Cook in the crock pot for about 4-6 hours on low! Shred beef, then add it back into the broth. Enjoy any way you want or save it for later!

Slow Cooker Birria Recipe (3)
Slow Cooker Birria Recipe (4)
Slow Cooker Birria Recipe (5)

Tips for Cooking Birria Meat

  • If using a fine mesh strainer to strain the sauce, press a spoon over the sauce to get the most Birria broth out of it as possible!
  • Can’t find the exact chile peppers listed in the ingredients? Feel free to substitute with the same amount of other types of peppers.
  • Start checking the meat right around the 4 hour mark to see if it’s done.
  • Top with fresh cilantro, extra spices, cheese, or fresh lime wedges for a next-level Mexican dish!

What to Make With Birria

  • Birria Tacos
  • Birria Quesadillas
  • Quesabirria Tacos – the best hybrid!
  • Topping for Pizza
  • Birria Ramen – recipe coming soon!
  • Birria + Rice + Avocado

How to Store

Thankfully, Birria meat is perfect for making in advance and storing for later! Once cooled, the meat (along with the juices/sauce) can be stored in a an airtight container for 5-7 days in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer.

Tip: Store this meat in a glass container, as it can stain plastic or silicone!

Slow Cooker Birria Recipe (6)

More Recipes You’ll Love

  • Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
  • Baja Shrimp Tacos Recipe
  • Easy Instant Pot Brown Rice
  • Slow Cooker Fiesta Ranch Chicken Wraps
  • Instant Pot Carne Asada Tacos

Did you make this recipe? Be sure to give it a rating below and tag your photos@jar.of.lemons!

Slow Cooker Birria Recipe

This Beef Birria recipe is flavorful, versatile, and can be easily made in the slow cooker! With a few simple steps, you can have one of the most deliciously rich meats on hand for tacos, quesadillas, stews, pizza, or even for just adding to a bowl of rice with avocado. This is the kind of recipe you can make a big batch of and enjoy for weeks to come!

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Diet: Gluten Free

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Slow Cooker Time: 6 hours hours

Total Time: 6 hours hours 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 Servings

Calories: 145 kcal

Author: Christine McMichael

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 whole dried ancho chilies
  • 2 whole dried guajillo chilies
  • 1/4 large white onion
  • 4 cloves garlic (or minced garlic)
  • 1 Tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 1 small can chipotles in adobo sauce (you only need 1 chipotle)
  • 1 1/2 cups water (or beef broth)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 medium bay leaf
  • 1 medium cinnamon stick (or 2 teaspoons cinnamon powder)
  • 1 teaspoon clove
  • 1/2 Tablespoon dried thyme
  • 1 Tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 teaspoons pepper
  • 1 pound beef chuck roast
  • 1 pound short ribs (bone-in)

Instructions

  • Remove the seeds and stems from the chilies. Set aside.

  • Quarter the onion, then peel and smash the garlic.

  • In a large skillet with tall sides, heat the avocado oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, and 1 chipotle in adobo sauce; cook for 5-10 minutes.

  • In a small pot (on a separate burner), bring the water or broth to a boil. Add the dried chilies and reduce heat to a simmer for 10 minutes.

  • Add in the cumin, ginger, bay leaf, cinnamon, clove, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper to the large skillet.

  • Pour the cooked pot of chilies into the large skillet and mix, cooking for another 10 minutes.

  • Remove the large skillet from heat and let cool for 5-10 minutes.

  • Carefully transfer the mixture into a blender. It will still be hot, so do not totally seal the lid and be sure to cover it with a towel! Blend until smooth; it will be thick.

  • Generously salt (using about 1 tablespoon) all sides of the meat and place it in the slow cooker.

  • Using a fine strainer or cheesecloth, strain the birria sauce mixture into the slow cooker over the meat. It helps to press the sauce with a spoon to get as much of the flavorful broth in as possible!

  • Cook on low for 4-6 hours, checking the meat to make sure it's done.

  • Once the meat is cooked, separate the beef and broth, remove and discard the bones, then shred the meat.

  • Combine the shredded meat with the broth again and enjoy any way you want or save for later!

Video

Notes

Tips for Cooking Birria Meat:

  • If using a fine mesh strainer to strain the sauce, press a spoon over the sauce to get the most Birria broth out of it as possible!
  • Can’t find the exact chile peppers listed in the ingredients? Feel free to substitute with the same amount of other types of peppers.
  • Start checking the meat right around the 4 hour mark to see if it’s done.
  • Top with fresh cilantro, extra spices, cheese, or fresh lime wedges for a next-level Mexican dish!

Nutrition

Serving: 1 cup | Calories: 145 kcal | Carbohydrates: 5 g | Protein: 13 g | Fat: 8 g | Saturated Fat: 3 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4 g | Trans Fat: 0.3 g | Cholesterol: 42 mg | Sodium: 148 mg | Potassium: 258 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 1 g | Vitamin A: 113 IU | Vitamin C: 1 mg | Calcium: 29 mg | Iron: 2 mg

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Leave a Reply

3 Comments

  1. Hailey says:

    Slow Cooker Birria Recipe (17)
    I have one question, do you sear your meat before putting it into the crockpot? I’m going to attempt this recipe tomorrow and would just like to be 101% sure before I start. Thank you for making this recipe as simple as possible!

    Reply

    • Christine McMichael replied:

      I didn’t sear it, but you can! However, that would affect the cooking time, so if you aren’t able to watch the meat throughout the day in the slow cooker, I would just follow the recipe to start.

      Reply

  2. Bobby Harrington says:

    Slow Cooker Birria Recipe (18)
    Perfect as is. Meat was delicious!

    Reply

Slow Cooker Birria Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What cuts of meat are best for birria? ›

Beef: Boneless beef chuck roast, short ribs, stew meet, oxtail, or beef cheeks work great here (or substitute a bone-in cut). In Mexico, it is common to use lamb or goat for Birria, too.

What is the birria sauce made of? ›

La Popular Maka Tlan Birria Sauce is a traditional product to marinate meat or vegetables, this blend gives you're a red stew that savory Authentic Mexican flavor Birria Sauce is a Mexican Marinate made from dried chile peppers, fresh vegetables, a variety of herbs and spices, contain vinegar a natural preservative.

What is difference between birria and barbacoa? ›

The difference in the two dishes comes down to the meat. Birria is made with beef or goat meat, while barbacoa is made with beef, pork, lamb or goat. Both dishes are delicious, and you can't go wrong with either one. So, if you're looking for a tasty Mexican dish, be sure to try barbacoa at Hacienda Colorado.

What makes birria bitter? ›

Using too many chillies can make your birria bitter so be sure to stick to the recipe and experiment carefully.

What is birria meat called in English? ›

Birria is a Mexican dish that is made from goat or beef. Goat is the traditional meat used for birria, but beef can also be used. Barbacoa is a type of meat that can be used for birria.

What does the word birria mean in english? ›

Birria (Spanish: [ˈbirja]) is a meat stew or soup made from goat, beef, lamb, mutton, or chicken. The meat is marinated in an adobo made of vinegar, dried chiles, garlic, and herbs and spices (including cumin, bay leaves, and thyme) before being cooked in a broth (Spanish: consomé).

Why is it called birria? ›

The Spanish were said to not be too fond of goat meat because of its strong, gamey flavor (similar to but less intense than lamb) and tough texture that required a long, slow cooking time. The term birria comes from an old Spanish word that was used to describe something with no value or of poor quality.

What makes birria taste like birria? ›

Anything from marjoram, bay leaves, thyme, oregano, and cumin to cinnamon, cloves, and more can pop up in a recipe. Several types of chiles are also used, but generally speaking, dried red chiles are a must.

Are you supposed to drink birria broth? ›

While birria consome is traditionally served alongside the meat used to make the broth, it can certainly be enjoyed on its own as a comforting and flavorful soup. The rich and aromatic broth is often the star of the dish, and it can be enjoyed as a standalone meal.

What's the difference between birria and Quesabirria? ›

What is the difference between Birria and Quesa-Birria? The difference between birria and the Quesa-Birria is that the Quesa-Birria is a fun twist on a quesadilla where the quesadilla is filled with birria meat. The Quesa-Birria is made with beef, cheese and chilies, and served with a consomme-based dipping sauce.

What's another name for birria tacos? ›

Birria Tacos (tacos de birria and sometimes called quesabirria tacos) consists of the braised meat inside a corn tortilla that's been pan-fried in the fat that sits at the top of the birria.

What is birria tacos also called? ›

Quesabirria ("cheese birria") (also called birria tacos or red tacos) is a Mexican dish comprising birria-style cooked beef folded into a tortilla with melted cheese and served with a side of broth (Spanish: consomé) for dipping.

Why does my birria have no flavor? ›

Birria, put simply, is a cooking method of preparing meat low and slow in a broth known as consommé. But to get the most flavorful birria, that broth needs to come equipped with plenty of ingredients — the most pertinent being chiles.

How can I enhance my birria flavor? ›

Use chicken or beef stock instead of just water for more added flavor. Cumin, dried oregano, and bay leaves are key flavors in birria—and in Mexican cooking in general. This recipe calls for Mexican dried oregano, which has a stronger flavor and is more pungent, earthy, and bitter than other varieties of dried oregano.

Why is my birria so red? ›

Chiles: Stemmed and seeded dried Guajillo chiles and dried Ancho chiles give birria its characteristic deep red color and rich, complex flavor.

What part of the cow is best for birria? ›

For the ultimate birria tacos, use a good beef shank. This is non-negotiable. You can, and should, mix up another cut as well for texture and variety. I prefer meat that's a little on the lean side for tacos, so I mixed it up with a cheap roast like sirloin, but if Steph had her way, she would use short ribs.

Is shoulder roast good for birria? ›

Birria is a meaty stew made with beef, lamb or pork. For this recipe, we've chosen delicious and inexpensive pork shoulder, but feel free to use beef chuck roast or other cuts.

What cut of beef is shoulder? ›

Unlike pork, where the shoulder is called a shoulder, when we refer to the shoulder region of a beef carcass we call it the chuck. The beef chuck primal cut is a massive piece of meat, and it's divided into two major subprimals. One of them is called the shoulder clod; the other is called the chuck roll.

What kind of cut is chuck roast? ›

The beef chuck cut comes from the animal's upper shoulder and lower neck. Steaks and roasts come from this area. Because the shape of the shoulder bone looks like a seven, chuck steaks are known as 7-bone steaks. Chuck roasts are somewhat fattier than cuts from other parts of the body.

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