Description
A bold and indulgent Birria Grilled Cheese Sandwich made with slow-braised, fork-tender birria beef, melty Jack cheese, crispy golden bread, and a rich consommé for dipping.
Ingredients
5–6 beef short ribs
1.5 tablespoons kosher salt
1.5 tablespoons black pepper
1.5 tablespoons garlic powder
Canola oil, as needed
3 ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded
3 guajillo chiles, stemmed and seeded
1/4 cup chipotle in adobo
1/2 white onion, sliced
8–10 garlic cloves
2 cups water
2–3 cups beef broth
1.5 tablespoons Mexican oregano
2 tablespoons black pepper
1 tablespoon sea salt
2 cinnamon sticks
2 bay leaves
3 cups shredded Jack cheese
1/2 cup red onion, chopped
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Thick-cut sliced bread
Instructions
- Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Lightly char ancho chiles, guajillo chiles, and garlic cloves on all sides.
- Add water and simmer briefly, then remove from heat.
- Blend chiles, garlic, cooking liquid, sliced onion, and chipotle in adobo until smooth to form a chile paste.
- Season short ribs with kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Sear beef in the Dutch oven with oil until browned on all sides.
- Return all beef to the pot and add chile paste, beef broth, oregano, black pepper, sea salt, cinnamon sticks, and bay leaves.
- Cover and simmer on low until beef is fork-tender, skimming excess fat as needed.
- Remove beef, strain braising liquid to create consommé, and shred the beef, discarding bones and aromatics.
- Heat a cast iron skillet with oil or clarified butter.
- Assemble sandwiches with bread, Jack cheese, shredded birria beef, more cheese, and top with bread.
- Grill until golden brown on both sides and cheese is melted.
- Serve hot with consommé topped with red onion and cilantro for dipping.
Notes
Birria tastes even better when made a day ahead.
Straining the consommé gives a cleaner dipping sauce.
Thick-cut bread holds up best to the filling.
Dip bread lightly in consommé before grilling for extra richness.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Braising & Skillet
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 780
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 46g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 52g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
