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birria quesadilla garnished with chopped cilantro and sliced radishes.
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5 from 4 votes

Birria Quesadilla

This Birria Quesadilla recipe is made of flavorful shredded beef and gooey cheese sandwiched between two crisp, buttery golden tortillas. Dip the quesabirra in rich, savory, smokey consommé for a mouthwatering meal!
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time3 hours
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 8
Calories: 782kcal
Author: Britney

Equipment

  • Medium Saucepan
  • Large Fry Pan
  • Large Pot/ Dutch Oven

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs Chuck roast
  • 2 tsps Cumin
  • 2 tsp Chili powder
  • 1 tbsp Onion powder
  • ½ tsp Cayenne pepper
  • ½ tsp Ground coriander
  • Salt and Pepper

Consume

  • 2 Chile de Arbol
  • 3 Ancho Chiles
  • 4 Gaujillo Chiles
  • 4 tbsps Vegetable Oil
  • 1 Onion sliced
  • 4 Garlic cloves diced
  • 1 tsp Peppercorns
  • 1 tsp Thyme
  • 1 tsp Oregano
  • 3 Bay leaves
  • 1 tbsp Cumin
  • ½ tsp Cloves ground
  • 1 tsp Ginger ground
  • 1 Cinnamon stick
  • 6 oz Tomato paste
  • 2 cans Chipotle Peppers in Adobo
  • 28 oz Can of fire roasted crushed tomatoes
  • cup Apple cider vinegar
  • 6 cups Beef stock

Quesabirria

  • 2 tbsps Oil
  • 1 tbsp Butter
  • 12 Flour tortillas burrito size
  • ½ cup Mexican blend cheese
  • ½ cup Mozzarella cheese
  • Cilantro

Instructions

  • Add cumin, chili powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, ground coriander, salt, and pepper to the chuck roast. Salt liberally and cut into large chunks. Set aside.
  • Bring about 8 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan.
  • On a cutting board, cut chiles and remove the seeds. Add oil to a frying pan and toast the chiles for 3-4 minutes, until slightly charred. Then place the chiles in the boiling water until softened, about 10 minutes.
  • Add an additional tablespoon of oil to the frying pan and add sliced onions. Cook until softened and fragrant, then add peppercorns, thyme, oregano, bay leaves, cumin ginger, and a cinnamon stick. 
  • Continue to cook for 4 minutes then add tomato paste and stir until paste forms then remove from heat and take out the bay leaves and cinnamon stick. Add everything left in the pan into a blender along with softened boiled chilies (don't worry about draining the peppers completely), Garlic, Chipotle Peppers in Adobo, Fire Roasted Crushed Tomatoes, and Apple Cider Vinegar. Blend together until smooth and thick.
  • Add 4 tbsps of vegetable oil to a large pot and allow it to warm. Add beef chunks and sear on all sides until browned and crisp (Be sure not to overcrowd the pot, cook in batches if needed).
  • Pour blended tomato/chili puree into the pot on top of the beef and add beef stock. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cover with a lid and cook for 2 ½-3 hours, until beef is fork tender. 
  • Taste for salt and add as needed then remove the beef and shred with a fork. Save the juices to dip the quesadilla into!

Birria Quesadillas

  • Melt butter and olive oil in a pan. Dip the tortilla into the reserved juices from the pot and place into the pan.  Add ½ cup Mexican Blend Cheese Mixture and ½ cup Mozzarella (more if you'd like). Then add about 1 cup of the shredded beef on top of the cheese and place the second tortilla on top.
  • Flip over in the pan and allow the second side to crisp. Remove from pan and enjoy.

Notes

Tips and Variations
  • If you don't want to use flour tortillas, you can use corn instead.
  • If tortillas feel a little stiff, warm flour tortillas in the microwave in a damp paper towel.
  • Instead of using a Mexican blend and mozzarella, you can use Oaxaca cheese.
  • I previously mentioned that I used chuck roast because it is readily available but feel free to use this recipe with goat, lamb, veal, or mutton.
  • To save time, make the birria a day or two ahead so then you can just make the quesadillas and warm up the broth for dipping.

Nutrition

Calories: 782kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 133mg | Sodium: 2274mg | Potassium: 1573mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 6871IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 281mg | Iron: 11mg