Sizzling Birria Grilled Cheese Recipe: Cozy Mexican-Inspired Magic

Melted cheese and tender, spicy meat create a mouthwatering fusion in this birria grilled cheese that brings street food magic right to your kitchen.

Crispy, golden-brown bread cradles a generous filling of succulent, slow-cooked beef dripping with rich flavor.

The birria’s deep, complex spices mingle perfectly with gooey, stretchy cheese, creating an irresistible sandwich experience.

Each bite promises a delightful blend of traditional Mexican cuisine and classic comfort food.

This recipe transforms a simple grilled cheese into a culinary adventure that will leave you craving more.

Bold, satisfying, and incredibly delicious, this birria grilled cheese is about to become your new favorite meal.

Exciting Variations for Birria Grilled Cheese

• Vegetarian Birria: Replace short ribs with jackfruit or portobello mushrooms, using the same spice blend and cooking method for a plant-based version.
• Goat Cheese Birria Sandwich: Swap traditional cheese with tangy goat cheese and add roasted bell peppers for extra flavor complexity.
• Low-Carb Birria Wrap: Use large lettuce leaves instead of bread, creating a gluten-free and lighter alternative that maintains the rich birria essence.
• Keto Birria Melt: Substitute bread with crispy cheese crisps, keeping the tender meat and spicy consommé while reducing carbohydrate content.

How to Present Birria Grilled Cheese

• Comfort Food Companion: Dip the grilled cheese into the rich, spicy consommé for an explosion of flavor that transforms a classic sandwich into a gourmet experience.
• Taco Night Upgrade: Transform your traditional taco night by serving these birria grilled cheese sandwiches as a delicious twist on Mexican-inspired comfort food.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare the birria beef in advance and store in the refrigerator, making quick and satisfying grilled cheese sandwiches throughout the week for an easy meal solution.
• Gathering Crowd-Pleaser: Slice the sandwiches into smaller portions for appetizers or game day snacks that will have everyone asking for the recipe and coming back for more.

Best Ways to Store Birria Grilled Cheese

• Store shredded beef and consommé separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pack beef and consommé in freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Stays fresh for 2-3 months. Label with date for tracking.
• Warm shredded meat in microwave with splash of consommé, stirring every 30 seconds until heated through. Alternatively, use stovetop on low heat with lid to retain moisture.
• Revive sandwich in skillet with butter over medium-low heat, covering briefly to melt cheese and restore crispness. Avoid microwave to prevent soggy bread.

FAQs

• What are the key spices used in this Birria Grilled Cheese recipe?

The key spices include ancho chili, guajillo chili, chipotle in adobo, garlic powder, salt, pepper, bay leaves, and cinnamon sticks, which create a rich, complex flavor profile typical of traditional Mexican cuisine.

• Can I use a different type of meat instead of short ribs?

While short ribs are recommended for their tenderness and flavor, you can substitute with chuck roast or beef brisket, which will still provide a similar rich and juicy result.

• Is this recipe considered authentic Mexican street food?

This recipe is a modern fusion of traditional Birria (a Mexican braised meat dish) and American grilled cheese, combining classic Mexican flavors with a popular comfort food style.

Why Everyone Loves Birria Grilled Cheese

• Elevate Comfort Food: Transform the classic grilled cheese into a gourmet experience with tender, spicy birria beef and rich, complex flavors that take this sandwich to the next level.
• Master Complex Cooking Techniques: Learn advanced culinary skills like charring chiles, creating a deep consommé, and perfectly braising short ribs while enjoying an incredible meal.
• Crowd-Pleasing Party Showstopper: Impress friends and family with a stunning dish that combines traditional Mexican birria with the beloved American grilled cheese, creating a fusion that guarantees wow moments.
• Interactive Cooking Adventure: Engage in a multi-step cooking process that allows for creativity, develops kitchen confidence, and rewards you with an extraordinary sandwich packed with incredible taste and texture.

Essential Ingredients for Birria Grilled Cheese

• Short Ribs: A flavorful and tender cut of beef that becomes melt-in-your-mouth delicious after long braising.

• Ancho Chili, Guajillo Chili: Dried peppers that provide deep, rich, smoky flavor to the dish.
• Chipotle in Adobo: Adds a spicy and smoky dimension to the sauce.
• Garlic Cloves: Provides an aromatic and pungent base for the chili blend.
• Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the overall flavor profile.

• Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder: Essential spices for enhancing the meat's natural flavors.
• Beef Broth: Creates a rich liquid base for braising the meat.
• Bay Leaves, Cinnamon Sticks: Contribute complex background notes during the braising process.

• Bread: Serves as the crispy exterior for the sandwich.
• Cheese: Provides creamy, melty texture and rich flavor.
• Butter, Oil: Helps create a golden, crispy exterior for the grilled cheese.

• Red Onions, Cilantro: Fresh toppings that add brightness and contrast to the rich dish.

Birria Grilled Cheese: Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Fire Up the Grill and Dutch Oven

Get your grill ready at a sizzling medium-high heat around 375°F.

Warm up a Dutch oven directly on the grill for 3-4 minutes to create the perfect cooking environment.

Step 2: Char the Flavor Makers

Toss ancho chiles, guajillo chiles, and garlic cloves into the hot Dutch oven.

Char each side for 30-45 seconds to unlock deep, smoky flavors.

Pour in water and let everything simmer gently for 7-8 minutes, then remove from heat.

Step 3: Blend the Spicy Base

Combine the charred chiles, roasted garlic, chopped onion, and chipotle in adobo in a blender.

Pulse until you get a smooth, vibrant sauce.

Transfer this magical mixture to a bowl.

Step 4: Sear and Braise the Beef

Season short ribs with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.

Sear the meat in the Dutch oven until it develops a beautiful golden-brown crust.

Pour in the chile paste, beef broth, and braising seasonings.

Let the beef simmer slowly until it’s meltingly tender, about 3.5-4.5 hours.

Step 5: Prepare the Meat and Sauce

Remove the bones, bay leaves, and cinnamon sticks.

Strain the sauce to create a crystal-clear, rich consommé.

Shred the beef into tender, juicy pieces.

Step 6: Craft the Ultimate Grilled Cheese

Heat a skillet with a mix of oil and butter.

• Bread
• Cheese
• Shredded beef
• More cheese

Cook until the bread turns a gorgeous golden brown on both sides.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Plate the grilled cheese alongside the consommé.

Garnish with fresh red onions and chopped cilantro for a burst of freshness.

Pro Secrets for Perfect Birria Grilled Cheese

• Adjust chipotle in adobo amount to manage heat level for sensitive palates or kids.
• Allow short ribs to cook slowly for maximum tenderness, which breaks down tough muscle fibers.
• Use a blend of melting cheeses like Oaxaca and Monterey Jack for rich, creamy texture.
• Select sturdy sourdough or thick-cut white bread that can hold up to heavy, moist meat filling.
• Warm the consommé right before serving to enhance flavor and create perfect dipping experience.

Birria Grilled Cheese Recipe

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4.6 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 5 hours
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy Mexican birria grilled cheese melds rich, tender braised beef with melted cheese in a crispy, golden sandwich. Comfort meets culinary excitement as traditional birria flavors elevate this classic American favorite, promising you a mouthwatering experience with each savory bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 5–6 Beef Short Ribs

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1.5 tablespoons Kosher Salt
• 2 tablespoons Black Pepper
• 1.5 tablespoons Garlic Powder
• 1.5 tablespoons Mexican Oregano
• 1 tablespoon Sea Salt

Chiles and Aromatics:

• 3 Ancho Chiles (stemmed & seeded)
• 3 Guajillo Chiles (stemmed & seeded)
• 0.5 White Onion (sliced)
• 0.5 cup Red Onions (chopped)
• 8–10 Garlic Cloves
• 2 Cinnamon Sticks
• 2 Bay Leaves

Additional Ingredients:

• Canola Oil (as needed)
• 2 cups Water
• 2–3 cups Beef Broth
• 3 cups Shredded Jack Cheese
• 0.5 cup Cilantro (chopped)
• Thick Cut Sliced Bread

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Instructions

1. Fire up the grill to 375°F and heat a Dutch oven for 3-4 minutes to prepare for the chile roasting process.
2. Carefully char ancho and guajillo chiles along with garlic cloves in the Dutch oven for 30-45 seconds per side, developing deep, smoky flavors. Pour water and simmer for 7-8 minutes, then remove from heat.
3. Transform the roasted chiles, garlic, onion, and chipotle into a silky, vibrant sauce by blending until completely smooth. Transfer the mixture to a separate bowl.
4. Generously season short ribs with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Sear the meat in the Dutch oven until achieving a rich, caramelized exterior. Introduce the chile paste, beef broth, and braising seasonings, then slow-cook for 3.5-4.5 hours until meat becomes incredibly tender.
5. Remove bones, bay leaves, and cinnamon sticks from the braised meat. Strain the sauce to create a pristine consommé, then meticulously shred the beef into succulent pieces.
6. Heat a skillet with oil and butter. Construct the grilled cheese by layering bread, cheese, shredded beef, and additional cheese. Grill until achieving a golden-brown, crispy exterior on both sides.
7. Present the grilled cheese alongside the consommé, garnishing with fresh red onions and chopped cilantro for a vibrant, aromatic finish.

Notes

• Choose short ribs with good marbling for extra tenderness and rich flavor that melts in your mouth during slow cooking.
• Toast chilies carefully to release deep, smoky aromatics without burning, which can create bitter undertones in the sauce.
• Strain the consommé through a fine-mesh sieve to ensure a silky, clean broth without any unwanted beef bits or spice particles.
• Try cheese varieties like Oaxaca, Chihuahua, or monterey jack for different melting characteristics and flavor profiles in the grilled cheese.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 650 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 1200 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 45 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg