The Zesty Birria Enchiladas Recipe Everyone Loves

Crispy tortillas wrapped around tender, spicy birria enchiladas promise a culinary adventure that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Mexican cuisine brings incredible depth to every bite of this mouthwatering dish.

Slow-cooked meat melts into rich, complex flavors that sing with traditional spices.

Juicy beef braised until it falls apart creates a stunning filling for these rolled delights.

Street food inspiration meets home cooking magic in this seriously crave-worthy recipe.

Bold seasonings and careful technique guarantee an authentic experience that transports you straight to the heart of jalisco.

Roll up your sleeves and get ready to impress everyone at the dinner table with these irresistible enchiladas.

Quick Answers On Birria Enchiladas Recipe

• What makes birria enchiladas different from traditional enchiladas?

Birria enchiladas are unique because they use slow-cooked, deeply seasoned beef in a rich chile sauce, giving them a more complex and intense flavor compared to regular enchiladas. The meat is incredibly tender and the sauce adds an authentic Mexican depth that sets them apart.

• Can I use a different type of meat for birria enchiladas?

While beef is traditional, you can substitute goat, lamb, or even chicken. However, beef chuck or short ribs work best because they become incredibly tender and absorb the rich, spicy flavors of the chile sauce during the long cooking process.

• Are birria enchiladas very spicy?

The spice level is moderate. The combination of guajillo, ancho, and chiles de arbol creates a flavorful heat that’s warming but not overwhelming. You can adjust the spiciness by removing seeds from the chiles or using fewer hot peppers if you prefer a milder version.

• Do I need any special equipment to make birria enchiladas?

A blender and a large pot or Dutch oven are essential. The blender helps create the smooth, complex sauce, while the heavy-bottomed pot allows for slow, even cooking of the meat to achieve that perfect tender texture.

Why Birria Enchiladas Recipe Packs A Punch

• Unleash Bold Flavor Explosion: These birria enchiladas pack an incredible punch of rich, deep Mexican flavors that transform an ordinary meal into a spectacular culinary experience, combining tender shredded beef with spicy chile sauce and melted cheese.
• Master Quick Weekend Cooking: Despite the three-hour beef cooking time, the actual preparation is straightforward and approachable, making it perfect for home cooks wanting to explore authentic Mexican cuisine without requiring professional chef skills.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: This recipe serves multiple people, works brilliantly for family dinners, potlucks, or casual gatherings, and offers delicious customization through various garnish options like cilantro, lime, and cheese.
• Versatile Meal Preparation: The birria sauce can be prepared ahead of time, and leftover meat works wonderfully for tacos, quesadillas, or additional enchilada batches, providing excellent meal prep flexibility for busy households.

What You’ll Need For Birria Enchiladas Recipe

• Beef Chunks: Rich, tender meat that becomes the star of the birria, best when using chuck roast or brisket for maximum flavor and tenderness.

• Guajillo Chiles, Ancho Chiles, Chiles de Arbol: Provide deep, complex spicy flavor with varying heat levels, essential for authentic Mexican taste profile.

• Tomatoes, Onion: Create a robust and flavorful foundation for the birria sauce, adding depth and natural sweetness.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic intensity and traditional Mexican cooking essence.

• Black Pepper, Cumin, Oregano, Cinnamon Stick, Bay Leaves, Cloves, Coriander: Provide warm, complex layered seasonings that enhance the meat's richness.

• Beef Broth, Vinegars: Help tenderize meat and create a complex, tangy sauce base.

• Corn Tortillas: Traditional Mexican wrap with authentic corn flavor.
• Shredded Cheese, Cotija Cheese: Add creamy texture and salty finishing notes.

• Cilantro, Lime, Pickled Onions, Raw Onions: Fresh, bright elements that cut through the rich meat and provide contrast.

• Cooked Rice: Adds substance and helps absorb the flavorful birria sauce.

How To Make Birria Enchiladas Recipe At Home

Step 1: Create Flavorful Beef Masterpiece

• Beef chunks
• Guajillo chiles
• Ancho chiles
• Chiles de arbol
• Tomatoes
• Onion
• Cinnamon stick
• Bay leaves
• Black peppercorns
• Beef broth
• White vinegar
• Apple cider vinegar
• Garlic
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Cloves
• Coriander

Generously season beef with salt and pepper. Sear the meat in a hot pot until golden brown. Remove beef and set aside. In the same pot, toss in chiles, tomatoes, onion, and spices. Cover with water and simmer until chiles soften. Transfer ingredients to a blender, adding cooking liquid, herbs, and spices. Blend until silky smooth. Return beef to the pot, pour the vibrant sauce over the meat, and let it simmer low and slow for about 3 hours until the beef falls apart with a gentle touch.

Step 2: Transform Into Enchilada Magic

• Shredded beef
• Cooked rice

Roll them up carefully and nestle them seam-side down in a baking dish. Drench the enchiladas with additional birria sauce and blanket them with shredded cheese. Bake until the cheese melts into a bubbling, golden landscape.

Step 3: Serve With Spectacular Flair

• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Crumbled Cotija cheese
• Lime wedges
• Pickled or raw onions

Bring these enchiladas to the table and watch eyes light up with excitement!

Tips To Get Birria Enchiladas Recipe Just Right

• Boost Meat Tenderness: Slow-cook the beef for at least 3 hours to ensure maximum tenderness and allow the spices to deeply penetrate the meat fibers.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust the type and quantity of chiles to control the heat intensity, using milder guajillo for less spiciness or adding more arbol chiles for extra kick.
• Perfect Tortilla Technique: Quickly fry tortillas in oil before dipping in sauce to prevent them from becoming soggy and maintain a delightful texture during baking.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Strain the cooking liquid to create a smooth, rich sauce that concentrates the complex blend of spices and adds incredible depth to the enchiladas.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the birria meat a day in advance to allow flavors to develop and simplify the final assembly process.

Store Birria Enchiladas Recipe With Ease

• Refrigerate leftover birria enchiladas in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking.
• Store the enchiladas and extra birria sauce separately to maintain the best texture and flavor.
• Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the container is tightly sealed to prevent moisture loss.
• Wrap individual enchiladas in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before placing in the container to help preserve their quality.
• When reheating, use the oven at 350F for best results, which helps restore the crispy edges and melted cheese.
• Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the tortillas soggy and compromise the dish's texture.
• Freeze fully cooked enchiladas for up to 2 months by wrapping them securely in freezer-safe packaging.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to ensure even warming and maintain the original delicious taste.

What To Serve With Birria Enchiladas Recipe

• Pair Birria Enchiladas with Robust Red Wine: Choose a bold Zinfandel or Tempranillo to complement the rich, spicy flavors of the birria sauce, cutting through the meat's intensity and enhancing the dish's complex spice profile.
• Create a Refreshing Citrus Mocktail Companion: Blend fresh lime juice, orange juice, sparkling water, and a hint of jalapeño for a zesty drink that balances the enchiladas' warmth and provides a cooling counterpoint to the spicy meat.
• Serve with Crisp Mexican Slaw Side: Prepare a tangy cabbage slaw with lime, cilantro, and a touch of jalapeño to add brightness and crunch, which cuts through the enchiladas' richness and provides a fresh textural contrast.
• Match with Craft Mexican Lager: Select a crisp, light beer like Modelo Especial or Pacifico, which offers a clean, refreshing taste that complements the deep, spicy flavors of the birria enchiladas without overwhelming the dish.

Birria Enchiladas Recipe Variations To Try

• Vegetarian Birria Enchiladas: Swap beef with jackfruit or mushrooms, using the same robust spice blend. Slow-cook the plant-based protein in birria sauce until tender and shreddable. Maintain the authentic flavor profile while creating a meat-free alternative.
• Seafood Birria Enchiladas: Replace beef with tender white fish like cod or snapper. Reduce cooking time to prevent overcooking the delicate protein. Season the fish with the traditional birria spices for a coastal-inspired version of the classic dish.
• Chicken Birria Enchiladas: Use bone-in chicken thighs for maximum flavor and tenderness. Follow the original braising method, allowing the chicken to absorb the rich, complex sauce. Shred the meat and proceed with the enchilada assembly as in the original recipe.
• Breakfast Birria Enchiladas: Add scrambled eggs inside the enchiladas before rolling. Top with a fried egg and serve with refried beans. Create a hearty morning meal that transforms the traditional dinner recipe into a satisfying breakfast option.

Birria Enchiladas Recipe

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4.5 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sizzling Mexican birria enchiladas bring fiery flavor and rich tradition to dinner tables across North America. Melted cheese, tender braised meat, and zesty salsa verde create an irresistible comfort meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 3 lbs (1.36 kg) beef chuck roast, cut into large chunks
• 7 cloves garlic

Chiles and Spices:

• 12 dried guajillo chiles, rinsed, stemmed, and seeded
• 5 dried ancho chiles, rinsed, stemmed, and seeded
• 5 dried chiles de arbol, rinsed, stemmed, and seeded
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
• ½ teaspoon whole black peppercorns
• 1 2-inch Mexican cinnamon stick
• 3 bay leaves
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Other Ingredients:

• ½ tablespoons (7.5 ml) olive oil
• 2 medium tomatoes
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 2 cups (473 ml) beef broth
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) distilled white vinegar
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) apple cider vinegar
• 16 tortillas (flour or corn)
• 2 cups (336 g) cooked white or Mexican rice
• 3 cups (340 g) Oaxaca or Chihuahua cheese, shredded
• Optional garnishes: chopped cilantro, Cotija cheese, lime wedges, pickled or raw onion

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Instructions

1. Craft the Birria Base: Transform beef chunks into a flavor-packed foundation by generously coating with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a robust pot, searing meat until golden brown. Carefully remove beef, then introduce guajillo, ancho, and chiles de arbol into the same vessel. Add tomatoes, onion, aromatic spices like cinnamon and bay leaves, creating a complex liquid landscape. Submerge ingredients with water, bringing to a vigorous boil before gently simmering.
2. Create Sauce Essence: Transfer softened chiles and companions to a blender. Incorporate cooking liquid, beef broth, vinegars, garlic, and a symphony of spices including cumin, oregano, cloves, and coriander. Pulse until achieving a silky, vibrant consistency. Return beef to the pot, enveloping it with this luscious sauce.
3. Slow Infuse Meat: Allow beef to simmer languidly for approximately three hours, transforming into tender, easily shredded morsels. The prolonged cooking develops deep, rich flavors that define authentic birria.
4. Prepare Enchilada Foundation: Warm tortillas in a thin layer of oil, rendering them pliable and receptive to the upcoming flavor journey. Dip each tortilla into reserved birria sauce, ensuring complete coverage.
5. Assemble Culinary Parcels: Layer shredded beef and rice into each tortilla. Roll compactly, positioning seam-side down in a waiting baking dish. Cascade remaining birria sauce generously over the enchiladas.
6. Final Transformation: Sprinkle a generous blanket of cheese across the surface. Slide into a preheated 350F oven, allowing cheese to melt and edges to crisp for 15-20 minutes.
7. Present with Flourish: Garnish with fresh cilantro, crumbled Cotija, zesty lime wedges, and pickled or raw onion, elevating the dish’s visual and flavor complexity.

Notes

• Beef Selection: Choose chuck roast or beef short ribs for maximum tenderness and rich flavor that shreds beautifully after slow cooking.
• Spice Customization: Adjust chile pepper quantities to control heat level, making the dish mild or fiery based on personal preference.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare birria meat a day in advance to enhance flavor development and simplify final enchilada assembly.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use corn tortillas and verify broth ingredients to ensure the recipe remains completely gluten-free for sensitive diners.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 520
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg