Name: Birria Grilled Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 2 h 30 min
Total time: 3 h
Ingredients: 2 lbs beef stew meat (or lamb, or chicken for variation) – make sure it’s Halal; 4 dried guajillo chilies, stemmed and seeded; 2 dried ancho chilies, stemmed and seeded; 1 dried pasilla chili, stemmed and seeded; 4 cloves garlic, peeled; 1 onion, quartered; 2 tomatoes, quartered; 1 cinnamon stick; 4 whole cloves; 2 tsp cumin seeds; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp dried thyme; 3 cups beef broth (Halal certified); Salt and pepper, to taste; 2 tbsp vegetable oil for browning the meat; 8 slices of bread (preferably thick, like sourdough or a rustic loaf); 2 cups shredded cheese (a mix of mozzarella and cheddar works best for meltiness, but you can use any cheese you like – ensure it’s Halal); 4 tbsp butter, softened; Optional: fresh cilantro, chopped; Optional: lime wedges; Beef (or Lamb/Chicken): The choice of beef gives the birria its tender, flavorful base. For a truly Halal version, make sure you’re using Halal-certified meat.; Chilies: The guajillo, ancho, and pasilla chilies form the heart of the birria’s signature deep flavor, giving it just the right amount of heat and smokiness without being overwhelmingly spicy.; Cheese: The melty cheese is crucial for the perfect grilled cheese experience, adding richness and creaminess to balance out the boldness of the birria.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Birria:

2 lbs beef stew meat (or lamb, or chicken for variation) – make sure it’s Halal
4 dried guajillo chilies, stemmed and seeded
2 dried ancho chilies, stemmed and seeded
1 dried pasilla chili, stemmed and seeded
4 cloves garlic, peeled
1 onion, quartered
2 tomatoes, quartered
1 cinnamon stick
4 whole cloves
2 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
3 cups beef broth (Halal certified)
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbsp vegetable oil for browning the meat

For the Grilled Cheese:

8 slices of bread (preferably thick, like sourdough or a rustic loaf)
2 cups shredded cheese (a mix of mozzarella and cheddar works best for meltiness, but you can use any cheese you like – ensure it’s Halal)
4 tbsp butter, softened
Optional: fresh cilantro, chopped
Optional: lime wedges

Ingredient Highlights

Beef (or Lamb/Chicken): The choice of beef gives the birria its tender, flavorful base. For a truly Halal version, make sure you’re using Halal-certified meat.
Chilies: The guajillo, ancho, and pasilla chilies form the heart of the birria’s signature deep flavor, giving it just the right amount of heat and smokiness without being overwhelmingly spicy.
Cheese: The melty cheese is crucial for the perfect grilled cheese experience, adding richness and creaminess to balance out the boldness of the birria.

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Instructions

Prepare the Birria:

Toast the Chilies: Begin by toasting the dried chilies. Heat a large, dry skillet over medium heat and add the chilies, toasting them for about 1-2 minutes until they become fragrant. Be careful not to burn them, as this can add bitterness.
Blend the Chili Paste: Once the chilies are toasted, transfer them to a blender or food processor. Add garlic, onion, tomatoes, cinnamon stick, cloves, cumin, oregano, thyme, and about 1 cup of the beef broth. Blend until smooth to create a thick chili paste.
Brown the Meat: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Brown the beef stew meat on all sides for about 5-7 minutes. Don’t overcrowd the pot – work in batches if needed.
Simmer the Birria: Once the meat is browned, pour the chili paste into the pot with the meat. Add the remaining beef broth and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Let it cook for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the meat is fork-tender and the flavors have melded together.
Shred the Meat: Once the meat is done, remove it from the pot and shred it using two forks. Set it aside, and strain the cooking liquid to remove any solids. You’ll use some of this flavorful broth to dip the grilled cheese.

Assemble the Grilled Cheese:

Prepare the Bread: Butter one side of each slice of bread. Make sure to spread it evenly for that crispy, golden exterior.
Add Cheese and Birria: On the non-buttered side of each slice, layer a generous amount of shredded cheese. Add a portion of the shredded birria beef on top of the cheese. If you like, sprinkle some fresh cilantro on top of the beef for an extra burst of freshness.
Grill the Sandwiches: Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the sandwich, buttered side down, in the skillet. Grill for about 3-4 minutes on each side, pressing down lightly with a spatula to ensure a crispy, golden crust.
Serve with Consommé: Serve the Birria Grilled Cheese with a side of the consommé (the rich broth you used to cook the beef). You can dip the sandwiches into the broth for an added layer of flavor.

Prep Time: 15minutes
Cook Time: 2hour 30minutes

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4
Calories: 700
Fat: 40g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Protein: 30g