Birria is a popular Mexican dish that’s known for its rich flavors and tender meat. It’s usually served as a stew or used in tacos. But today, we’re going to do something different and make Birria sliders.

Birria sliders are a fun mix of Mexican and American food. We’ll take the tasty, slow-cooked Birria and put it in soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls. Then we’ll add some creamy Oaxaca cheese. The result is a slider that’s full of flavor and really satisfying.

This recipe is great if you like trying new things in the kitchen. It’s also a good choice if you’re having friends over and want to make something that everyone will love. And even if you’re just making dinner for your family, these Birria sliders are a fun way to change things up.

Making Birria sliders involves a few steps, but each one is important. You’ll start by preparing the chilies, then you’ll slow-cook the beef until it’s really tender. After that, you’ll put together the sliders and smoke them. Each step helps to make the sliders taste great.

So, are you ready to start cooking? Let’s make some Birria sliders! They’re a fun and tasty way to enjoy a traditional Mexican dish.

What is Birria?

Birria is a flavorful and aromatic meat dish that is typically prepared with beef. However, it can also be made with other meats such as goat, lamb, or pork. The unique cooking method of birria involves slow braising the meat until it becomes incredibly tender and can be easily shredded with a fork.

This slow-cooking process allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a comforting dish that is loved by many. The exceptional taste of birria is attributed to its robust and balanced seasoning. The meat is usually marinated in a blend of dried chilies, spices, herbs, and other aromatics. This marinade infuses the meat with a range of flavors, from smoky and earthy to mildly spicy and tangy.

Origins of Birria:

Birria originated from the state of Jalisco in western Mexico, specifically the city of Guadalajara. However, its popularity has spread throughout the country and beyond, making it a cherished dish in various regions. The roots of birria lie in the rich culinary traditions of Mexico, where slow-cooked stews and braised meats have been celebrated for a long time.

How to Make Birria Sliders:

Step 1: Preparing the Chilies

Start by removing the stems and seeds from the guajillo, Ancho, and Arbol chilies. Toast them in a dry skillet until they become fragrant, then soak them in hot water for about 15 minutes to soften.

Step 2: Making the Sauce

While the chilies are soaking, chop the white onion and peel the garlic cloves. Once the chilies are soft, drain them and put them in a blender. Add the chopped onion, garlic, crushed tomatoes, water, beef broth, and apple cider vinegar. Blend everything until it’s smooth.

Step 3: Cooking the Beef

Season the chuck roast with salt and pepper. Sear it in a skillet or Dutch oven until it’s browned on all sides. Pour the sauce you made over the beef. Add the herb and spice bag to the pot. Cover the pot and let the beef cook slowly for about 3 hours. It’s ready when it’s so tender you can easily pull it apart with a fork.

Step 4: Preparing the Sliders

While the beef is cooking, preheat your smoker to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice the Kings Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, but keep them connected. Put them on a baking sheet. Layer Oaxaca cheese on the bottom half of each bun. When the beef is ready, shred it and pile it on top of the cheese. Add more slices of Oaxaca cheese on top of the beef.

Step 5: Smoking the Sliders

Put the top half of the buns on the cheese. Brush the buns with melted butter and sprinkle a little salt on top. Put the assembled sliders on the smoker and smoke them for about 20 minutes. They’re ready when the cheese is melted and the buns are toasted.

Step 6: Serving the Sliders

Take the sliders off the smoker and serve them hot. Enjoy the delicious combination of flavors in every bite!

Ingredients

The Best Birria Sliders

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

For the Birria:

• 6 Guajillo chilies
• 2 Ancho chilies
• 3 Dried Arbol chilies
• 1 Large white onion
• 1 1/2 cup Crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups Water
• 6-8 cloves Garlic
• 2 cups Beef broth
• 1/4 cup Apple cider vinegar
• Herb and Spice Bag 2 teaspoons Peppercorns, 2 teaspoons All Spice Berries, 1 Cinnamon stick, 2 Bay leaves, 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 3 pounds Chuck Roast

For the Sliders:

• 1 pack Kings Hawaiian rolls
• 1 pack Oaxaca cheese
• Lime for garnish
• Melted butter for brushing
• Salt for sprinkling

Instructions

 

• Remove stems and seeds from 6 guajillo chilies, 2 Ancho chilies, and 3 dried Arbol chilies. Toast them in a dry skillet, then soak in hot water for 15 minutes.
• Chop 1 large white onion and peel 6-8 cloves of garlic. Drain soaked chilies and blend them with onion, garlic, 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes, 2 cups water, 2 cups beef broth, and 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar.
• Season a chuck roast with salt and pepper, sear it in a skillet or Dutch oven. Pour the braising sauce over the beef, add the herb and spice bag. Cover and braise for about 3 hours until tender and easily shredded.
• Preheat your smoker to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While it's heating, slice the Kings Hawaiian buns horizontally, keeping them connected, and place them on a baking sheet.
• Layer Oaxaca cheese on the bottom half of each bun. Pile up the shredded beef on top of the cheese.
• Add more Oaxaca cheese on top of the shredded beef.
• Place the top half of the buns over the cheese and brush them with melted butter. Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the buttered buns.
• Place the assembled sliders on the smoker and smoke for approximately 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the buns are toasted.
• Remove the sliders from the smoker and serve them hot. Enjoy the succulent flavors and the perfect balance of smokiness, sweetness, and spiciness in every bite.

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Making Birria Your Own

Birria is a great dish because you can change it up to make it just how you like it. You can try using different kinds of meat like beef short ribs, lamb shoulder, or even chicken to see what you like best. You can also change how spicy it is by using more or less chilies, or different kinds of chilies. If you don’t like it too spicy, you can use less Arbol chilies or use a milder kind of pepper.

Storing and Reheating Birria

If you have any leftovers, don’t worry. Birria actually tastes even better the next day because the flavors have more time to blend together. Just put any leftover meat and sauce in separate containers with tight lids and put them in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat it again, heat it up gently.

Enjoying Birria

Birria is a great choice whether you’re looking for a special meal for a big occasion or just want to try some real Mexican food. It’s a flexible dish that you can adjust to suit your own tastes. So, invite your friends or family, get ready for some great smells, and enjoy the taste of homemade birria sliders. This traditional Mexican dish is so good, it’s like taking a quick trip to Mexico without leaving your kitchen.

DID YOU ENJOY THIS BIRRIA SLIDERS RECIPE? YOU’LL LOVE MY OTHER BEEF RECIPES IN THE LINK BELOW!

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Items used in This Recipe

Hasty-Bake Grill

Knitted Gloves

Food Processor

Cast Iron Skillet 

Meater +

Charcoal Chimney

Charcoal Starters

Firestarter Guard