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Plate of birria enchiladas topped with fresh cilantro and onions

Birria Enchiladas

Birria Enchiladas combine tender, flavor-packed meat of classic birria with cheesy, oven-baked comfort, perfect for gatherings or elevating weeknight meals.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 4 hours
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Birria
  • 3 lbs beef chuck roast Use a reasonably priced cut for best results.
  • 6 pieces dried guajillo chiles Remove stems and seeds.
  • 4 pieces dried ancho chiles Remove stems and seeds.
  • 1 large white onion Roughly chopped, use half for blending.
  • 6 cloves garlic Add to sauce.
  • 2 pieces bay leaves
  • 1 piece cinnamon stick
  • 3 whole cloves
  • 1 tsp Mexican oregano
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds Can substitute with ground cumin.
  • 4 cups beef broth Plus extra if needed.
For the Enchiladas
  • 16 pieces corn tortillas
  • 2 cups enchilada sauce Use store-bought or homemade.
  • 2 cups shredded Oaxaca or Monterey Jack cheese
  • ½ cup crumbled Cotija cheese
  • 1 bunch fresh cilantro For garnish.

Method
 

Prepare the chiles
  1. Remove stems and seeds from guajillo and ancho chiles. Lightly toast each chile in a dry skillet for 20–30 seconds per side until fragrant. Soak in hot water for 20–30 minutes until soft, reserving a bit of the soaking liquid.
Blend the sauce
  1. In a blender, combine softened chiles, garlic, half the chopped onion, cinnamon stick, cloves, bay leaves, oregano, cumin, and about 2 cups of beef broth. Blend until smooth, adding soaking liquid as needed for texture. Taste and adjust salt.
Sear the meat
  1. Season the chuck roast with salt and pepper. Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the roast on all sides until deeply browned, about 3–4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
Braise the beef
  1. Pour the chile sauce into the pot and scrape up browned bits. Add the roast back in and pour enough beef broth to come halfway up the roast (about 2 cups more). Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and braise for 2.5–3 hours until meat shreds easily.
  2. Alternatively, transfer to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6–8 hours.
Shred the beef
  1. Remove the roast, shred with two forks, and skim any excess fat from the braising liquid. Reserve the consomé for serving. If the sauce is very thin, reduce it over medium heat until it thickens.
Warm tortillas
  1. Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or on a comal for 20–30 seconds per side so they’re pliable. Keep them covered with a kitchen towel to stay soft.
Assemble enchiladas
  1. Spoon shredded beef into each tortilla (about 2–3 tablespoons), roll tightly, and place seam-side down in a greased baking dish. Repeat for all tortillas.
Top with sauce and cheese
  1. Pour enchilada sauce evenly over the rolled tortillas, then sprinkle with shredded Oaxaca or Monterey Jack.
Bake
  1. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15–20 minutes until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbling. For a lightly browned top, broil for 1–2 minutes — watch carefully.
Garnish and serve
  1. Sprinkle with crumbled Cotija and chopped cilantro. Serve with warm consomé for dunking or sipping.

Notes

Substitutions: Swap ancho for pasilla if needed but avoid super-hot chiles. Remove more seeds or reduce guajillos for milder results. For quicker meals, use pre-made birria or enchilada sauce.