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close up birria grilled cheese sandwich with juicy shredded beef and melted cheese

Birria Grilled Cheese: The Crispy, Melty Sandwich You’ve Been Missing


  • Author: Sarah
  • Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 sandwiches 1x

Description

Birria grilled cheese is a rich, crispy, cheese-loaded sandwich filled with slow-braised chile-spiced beef and served with flavorful consommé for dipping.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs beef chuck roast
  • 3 dried guajillo chiles
  • 2 dried ancho chiles
  • 1 dried pasilla chile
  • 1 white onion
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 2 Roma tomatoes
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp dried Mexican oregano
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • Bread slices (sourdough or Texas toast)
  • Shredded Oaxaca or Monterey Jack cheese
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Diced onion
  • Lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Toast dried chiles in a skillet until fragrant.
  2. Soak chiles in hot water for 15 minutes.
  3. Char onion, garlic, and tomatoes in a pan.
  4. Blend chiles, aromatics, spices, vinegar, and broth until smooth.
  5. Season and sear beef until browned.
  6. Pour sauce over beef, add broth and bay leaves.
  7. Braise on low heat for 2.5–3 hours until tender.
  8. Shred beef and reserve consommé.
  9. Dip bread in consommé fat.
  10. Layer cheese, birria beef, and more cheese between bread.
  11. Grill until golden and crispy on both sides.
  12. Serve with consommé for dipping.

Notes

For best flavor, make the birria a day ahead. Use consommé fat instead of butter for the signature crispy crust.

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 sandwich
  • Calories: 650
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Fat: 38g
  • Saturated Fat: 16g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 20g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 35g
  • Cholesterol: 110mg

Keywords: birria grilled cheese, birria sandwich, beef birria, cheesy sandwich, Mexican sandwich