Homemade Beef Birria Consomé Recipe
Learn how to make classic beef birria consomé that is simmered in a delicious pepper broth and shredded to perfection.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds of assorted beef cuts: chuck, bottom round, shanks
- 2 pounds lamb shanks
- 3 tablespoons oil
- 3 peeled and roughly chopped white or yellow onions
- 5 garlic cloves
- 4 cored roughly chopped vine-ripe tomatoes
- 4 seeded and stemmed dried guajillo chiles
- 4 seeded and stemmed dried ancho chiles
- 8-10 allspice berries
- ½ cinnamon stick, broken up
- 12-15 black peppercorns
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
- 1 ½ tablespoons dried oregano
- 1 ½ tablespoons dried thyme
- 2 cups of water
- 1 gallon of water or beef stock
- sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
- juice of fresh lemons
- diced yellow or white onions, diced radishes, and chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Season both the beef and lamb well on all sides with sea salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Next, add the oil to a large pot or rondeau over high heat. Once it begins to smoke add in the meat and lamb and sear until well browned on all sides, about 6-8 minutes per side.
- Remove the beef from the pot and set it aside.
- Now, place in the onions and cook over medium heat for about 20-25 minutes or until caramelized.
- Place in the garlic and give it a quick sauté with the onions for about 4-5 minutes.
- Next, pour in the tomatoes, chiles, allspice berries, cinnamon, peppercorns, bay leaves, cumin seeds, oregano, and thyme and stew on medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes to soften up the peppers and cook the tomatoes.
- Deglaze with 2 cups of water and continue to cook on medium-high heat until the liquid is reduced by ½ or about 15 minutes.
- Transfer the mixture to a blender and puree at high speed until smooth. See note on how to blend hot food.
- Pour the mixture back into the pot along with water or beef stock. Season this mixture well with salt and pepper.
- Place the seared meat back into the pot, cover, and cook on medium-medium-high for about 2 hours, or until the meat is easily shredded. The liquid should be at a rapid bubble or a very low boil the entire time.
- Remove the meat, discard any bones, and roughly chop on a cutting board. Keep aside.
- Next, strain the remaining liquid through a fine-mesh strainer or chinois and return it to the pot along with the chopped meat.
- To serve: Place the desired amount of birria consomé into a bowl and garnish with fresh-squeezed lemon juice, onions, radishes, and cilantro.
Notes
Make-Ahead: You can make this up to 2 days ahead of time.
How to Reheat: Place the desired amount into a medium-sized saucepot and heat over low heat until hot. You can also heat in the microwave until hot.
How to Store: Cover and keep in the refrigerator for up to 6 days. This will freeze well covered for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator for 1 day before reheating.
When searing the meat, you may need to do it in batches if your pot is not big enough.
You may also add some cheese to the stew when serving it.
When blending the chili pepper mixture, or any hot mixture, remove the center cap from the lid to the blender and place a kitchen towel over top with a little hole for the hot air to escape.
Nutrition
Calories: 381kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 37gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 759mgPotassium: 1439mgFiber: 5gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 3795IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 94mgIron: 6mg