The Best Mexican Birria Crockpot Recipe Everyone Loves! 🌮🔥

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Introduction

If you haven’t tried Birria yet, you’re in for a serious treat! This slow-cooked, flavor-packed, juicy Mexican stew is made with tender, shredded beef simmered in a rich, smoky, and slightly spicy chili sauce. It’s traditionally served as a stew or used to make birria tacos, dipped in the mouthwatering consommé for extra flavor.

The best part? This crockpot birria recipe takes all the hard work out of it! 🙌 Just throw everything in your slow cooker, let it do its magic, and in a few hours, you’ll have the most juicy, tender, and flavorful beef birria you’ve ever tasted.

Whether you’re making birria tacos, quesabirria, burritos, or just enjoying a warm bowl of stew, this easy, foolproof recipe will have everyone at your table begging for seconds! 🌮🔥

Ingredients

For the Birria Meat:

  • 3 lbs beef chuck roast (or a mix of beef shank, short ribs, or lamb)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cinnamon stick (optional, for depth of flavor)

For the Birria Sauce (Consommé):

  • 4 dried guajillo chilies (seeds removed, soaked in hot water)
  • 2 dried ancho chilies (seeds removed, soaked in hot water)
  • 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 roma tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

For Serving:

  • Warm corn tortillas 🌮
  • Fresh cilantro & chopped onions 🌿🧅
  • Lime wedges 🍋
  • Shredded Oaxaca or mozzarella cheese (for quesabirria tacos) 🧀

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Birria Sauce

  1. Remove the seeds and stems from the dried guajillo and ancho chilies. Soak them in hot water for about 10 minutes until soft.
  2. In a blender, add the soaked chilies, chipotle pepper, garlic, onion, tomatoes, beef broth, cloves, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Blend until smooth.

Step 2: Prep the Meat

  1. Season the beef chuck roast with salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, and smoked paprika.
  2. Place the meat in the slow cooker, then pour the birria sauce over it.
  3. Add the bay leaves, cinnamon stick, and apple cider vinegar.

Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection

  1. Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or HIGH for 5-6 hours until the meat is fall-apart tender.
  2. Once done, remove the meat and shred it with two forks.

Step 4: Strain the Consommé

  1. Strain the cooking liquid to get a smooth, rich consommé for dipping.
  2. Adjust seasoning with salt and lime juice to taste.

Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!

  • For Birria Tacos, dip a corn tortilla in the consommé, fill with shredded beef and cheese, then grill until crispy.
  • Serve with fresh cilantro, chopped onions, and lime wedges.
  • Enjoy with a side of consommé for dipping! 🌮🔥

Servings & Timing

  • Servings: 6-8
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8-10 hours (low) or 5-6 hours (high)
  • Total Time: ~10 hours

Variations

1. Chicken Birria

  • Swap beef for bone-in chicken thighs and cook for 4-5 hours on low.

2. Instant Pot Version

  • Cook on HIGH pressure for 45 minutes, then natural release for 15 minutes.

3. Spicier Birria

  • Add extra chipotle peppers or a habanero for more heat! 🔥

4. Birria Quesadillas

  • Use flour tortillas with melted cheese and birria meat for an epic quesadilla! 🧀🌮

5. Keto & Low-Carb Version

  • Serve birria as a stew or over cauliflower rice instead of tacos.

Storage & Reheating

How to Store

  • Keep leftover birria in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
  • Store the consommé separately to keep the meat from getting soggy.

How to Freeze

  • Freeze the shredded meat and consommé in separate containers for up to 3 months.
  • Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Reheat

  • Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a little broth if needed.
  • Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between.

FAQs About Crockpot Birria

1. Can I use store-bought taco seasoning?

Sure! But homemade spices & chilies give the best flavor.

2. What if I can’t find dried chilies?

Substitute with 2 tablespoons chili powder and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika.

3. Can I make this without a slow cooker?

Yes! Cook in a Dutch oven at 325°F for ~4 hours until tender.

4. What’s the best meat for birria?

Beef chuck roast, short ribs, or a mix of beef and lamb work great!

5. How do I make the tacos crispy?

Dip the tortillas in the consommé, fill with meat & cheese, and pan-fry until crispy.

6. Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn?

Yes! But corn tortillas get crispier for that authentic quesabirria texture.

7. How do I make birria less spicy?

Use fewer chipotle peppers and remove seeds from the chilies.

8. Can I make birria ahead of time?

Yes! It tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen.

9. Can I use pork instead of beef?

Absolutely! Try a mix of pork shoulder and beef for a delicious twist.

10. What should I serve with birria?

Mexican rice, refried beans, pickled onions, and extra lime wedges! 🍋

Conclusion

This Slow Cooker Mexican Birria is the ultimate easy, flavorful, and comforting meal. Whether you eat it as a stew, make crispy birria tacos, or serve it over rice, this recipe is guaranteed to impress everyone at the table! 🌮🔥

Try it today and let me know how much you LOVE it! 🙌

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