Cinco de Mayo Birria Quesadillas (Print)

Cheesy quesadillas filled with tender birria, served with a savory consommé for dipping.

# Ingredients:

→ Beef Birria

01 - 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into large pieces
02 - 3 dried guajillo chiles, stemmed and seeded
03 - 2 dried ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded
04 - 2 dried pasilla chiles, stemmed and seeded
05 - 1 large white onion, quartered
06 - 5 cloves garlic
07 - 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz/400 g)
08 - 4 cups beef broth
09 - 2 bay leaves
10 - 1 tsp dried oregano
11 - 1 tsp cumin seeds
12 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
13 - 4 whole cloves
14 - Salt and pepper, to taste
15 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil

→ Quesadillas

16 - 12 corn or flour tortillas
17 - 2 cups Oaxaca or mozzarella cheese, shredded
18 - 2 tbsp butter or oil, for frying
19 - Chopped onion and cilantro, for garnish
20 - Lime wedges, for serving

→ Consommé Dip

21 - Reserved birria broth from above

# Directions:

01 - Toast the dried chiles in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Soak chiles in hot water for 15 minutes, then drain.
02 - In a blender, combine soaked chiles, onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, oregano, cumin seeds, cinnamon, cloves, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
03 - Heat oil in a heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season beef with salt and pepper. Sear until browned on all sides, working in batches if needed.
04 - Add blended chili mixture, bay leaves, and beef broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 2-2½ hours, until beef is very tender and easily shredded. Discard bay leaves.
05 - Remove beef and shred with two forks. Reserve the cooking liquid for the consommé.
06 - Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat.
07 - Dip each tortilla lightly in the birria consommé to coat.
08 - Place tortilla on the skillet, sprinkle with cheese, then add a portion of shredded birria beef. Fold tortilla over.
09 - Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden and crispy, and cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.
10 - Ladle the hot consommé into small bowls.
11 - Garnish quesadillas with chopped onion, cilantro, and serve with lime wedges.
12 - Dip quesadillas in the consommé and enjoy.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • You’ll finally crack the code to unbelievably juicy birria beef and next-level quesadillas—dipping and all.
  • This is the kind of dish even picky friends will rave about for days, which is why it always finds its way back onto my table.
02 -
  • Rushing the simmering step can leave your beef tough and the consommé bland—patience brings all the flavor home.
  • Dipping tortillas in the consommé before frying is the secret handshake of birria quesadillas: they crisp while soaking up those spicy juices.
03 -
  • If you want crispier quesadillas, fry a little longer on lower heat—just keep an eye so they don’t burn.
  • Don’t forget to dip: letting each bite soak in warm consommé is non-negotiable for the full experience.
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