Birria Enchiladas Recipe

Sizzling Birria Enchiladas Recipe: The Ultimate Flavor Fiesta

Birria enchiladas represent a mouthwatering fusion of traditional Mexican culinary artistry and contemporary comfort food.

These delectable rolls combine tender, slow-cooked meat with rich, complex spices that dance across your palate.

Crafted with passion and generations of cooking wisdom, birria enchiladas convert simple ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience.

The deep, robust flavors emerge from carefully selected seasonings and meticulous preparation techniques that elevate this dish beyond ordinary expectations.

Soft tortillas embrace succulent, deeply seasoned meat, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that captivate hungry diners.

Vibrant colors and aromatic spices signal the incredible journey awaiting your taste buds.

Each bite promises a celebration of authentic Mexican cuisine that connects family, tradition, and pure culinary pleasure.

Tips to Keep Them Juicy and Full of Flavor

  • Enhance Tortilla Flexibility: Briefly fry tortillas in hot oil to prevent cracking and improve rollability, ensuring smooth enchilada assembly.
  • Layer Sauce Strategically: Spread sauce on the bottom and top of enchiladas to prevent drying and create a rich, moist final dish.
  • Choose Authentic Cheese Blend: Mix Monterey Jack and double cheddar for a creamy, complex flavor profile that complements the birria meat.
  • Control Moisture Perfectly: Cover with oiled foil during initial baking to trap steam and keep enchiladas tender, then uncover to achieve golden cheese crisp.
  • Maximize Meat Tenderness: Use leftover birria meat shredded finely to ensure even distribution and maximum flavor in every enchilada bite.

How to Store Without Sogging It All Up

  • Refrigerator Storage: Place leftover birria enchiladas in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly stored, they will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Wrap individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor.
  • Freezer Method: Freeze enchiladas for up to 2 months by carefully wrapping each in freezer-safe plastic wrap, then place in a sealed freezer bag. Label with the date to track freshness.
  • Reheating Technique: Restore crispy texture by warming enchiladas in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent drying out. For quicker results, microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.

What Completes the Birria Feast

  • Amplify Flavor with Mexican Lager: Pair these rich birria enchiladas with a crisp Corona or Modelo Especial. The light, refreshing beer cuts through the heavy meat and cheese, balancing the spicy, complex flavors perfectly.
  • Cool Down with Tangy Salsa Verde: Serve a zesty homemade salsa verde on the side. Its bright, acidic notes will complement the deep, tender birria meat and provide a refreshing contrast to the cheesy enchiladas.
  • Elevate with Fresh Cilantro Lime Slaw: Create a crunchy, citrusy slaw using shredded cabbage, fresh cilantro, and a lime vinaigrette. This side dish adds a light, zesty element that helps cut through the richness of the enchiladas.
  • Finish with Smooth Horchata: End the meal with a classic Mexican rice drink. Its sweet, creamy texture and hint of cinnamon will soothe the palate after the spicy, robust enchiladas.

Birria Twists That Bring the Heat

  • Slow Cooker Birria Enchiladas: Transform the recipe by preparing birria meat in a slow cooker for tender, fall-apart meat. Replace stovetop frying with a gentler cooking method, enhancing meat's rich flavors and reducing active cooking time.
  • Vegetarian Birria-Style Enchiladas: Swap meat with jackfruit or roasted portobello mushrooms, mimicking birria's texture. Use vegetable broth and traditional spices to maintain authentic taste profile while creating a plant-based alternative.
  • Spicy Green Chile Birria Enchiladas: Incorporate roasted green chiles into enchilada sauce for added heat and complexity. Layer green chile sauce between tortillas, creating a zesty southwestern-inspired version of the classic recipe.
  • Breakfast Birria Enchiladas: Add scrambled eggs inside enchiladas and top with a fried egg. Serve with fresh salsa and cilantro for a morning-friendly transformation of the traditional dinner dish.

Why Birria Enchiladas Are the Main Event

  • Savor Explosive Flavor Fusion: Birria enchiladas combine tender, spicy shredded meat with rich cheese, creating a mouthwatering explosion of traditional Mexican taste sensations that dance across your palate.
  • Transform Leftovers into Gourmet Meal: Simple ingredients and quick preparation turn basic birria meat into a restaurant-quality dish that impresses family and friends without requiring advanced cooking skills.
  • Experience Textural Delight: Crispy tortilla edges meet melty cheese and succulent meat, delivering a perfect balance of crunch and softness in every single bite that keeps you craving more.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Quick 40-minute total cooking time makes these enchiladas ideal for weeknight dinners, casual gatherings, or satisfying sudden Mexican food cravings with minimal kitchen effort.

What You’ll Need for That Bold Beef Punch

Main Proteins:
  • Birria Meat: Tender, slow-cooked meat that provides rich, deep flavor and serves as the primary filling for enchiladas.
  • Monterey Jack Cheese, Double Cheddar Cheese: Melty cheeses that add creaminess and classic Mexican-style cheese flavor to the dish.
Tortilla and Sauce Components:
  • Tortillas: Corn tortillas that serve as the wrap for the enchiladas, providing a traditional base for the filling.
  • Enchilada Sauce: Classic red sauce that adds moisture and traditional Mexican flavor to the enchiladas.
Cooking and Preparation Ingredients:
  • Olive Oil: Used for lightly frying tortillas to enhance texture and prevent them from breaking during rolling.
  • Aluminum Foil: Helps cover the dish during initial baking to prevent excessive browning and retain moisture.
  • Paper Towels: Used for draining excess oil from fried tortillas to maintain a crisp texture.

Rolling and Baking Enchiladas Like a Boss

Step 1: Prepare Tortillas

Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Quickly fry each tortilla for 5-8 seconds on each side. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 2: Set Up Baking Dish

Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread a generous layer of enchilada sauce across the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.

Step 3: Assemble Enchiladas

Fill each tortilla with tender birria meat and Monterey Jack cheese. Carefully roll up the tortillas and place them seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.

Step 4: Add Final Toppings

Pour remaining enchilada sauce over the rolled enchiladas. Sprinkle shredded double cheddar cheese on top to create a mouthwatering layer.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Cover the baking dish with oil-sprayed aluminum foil. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes until cheese becomes bubbly and slightly golden.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Let the enchiladas rest for a few minutes after removing from the oven. Serve hot and savor the delicious blend of flavors and textures.

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Birria Enchiladas Recipe

Birria Enchiladas Recipe


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4.6 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Birria enchiladas blend Mexican culinary traditions with rich, spicy flavors that promise comfort and satisfaction. Succulent slow-cooked beef, tender tortillas, and melted cheese create an irresistible dish you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 2 cups birria stew meat

Cheese:

  • 1½ cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 0.51 cups shredded double cheddar cheese

Base and Cooking Ingredients:

  • 12 corn tortillas
  • 0.5 cup olive oil
  • 1 batch of homemade enchilada sauce

Instructions

  1. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat to approximately 350°F (175°C), creating a golden preparation surface for the tortillas.
  2. Quickly immerse each tortilla into the hot oil for 5-8 seconds on each side, ensuring a light crisp texture without excessive browning. Transfer fried tortillas onto paper towels to absorb excess oil.
  3. Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C), preparing a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish by spreading half of the enchilada sauce across the bottom to create a flavorful base.
  4. Distribute tender birria meat evenly across each tortilla, followed by a generous sprinkle of Monterey Jack cheese. Carefully roll each tortilla into a compact cylinder, positioning them seam-side down within the sauce-lined baking dish.
  5. Pour remaining enchilada sauce over the rolled enchiladas, ensuring complete coverage. Generously top with shredded double cheddar cheese for a rich, melted finish.
  6. Cover the baking dish with oil-sprayed aluminum foil, creating a sealed environment that prevents moisture loss and promotes even heating.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, maintaining a consistent temperature. Remove the foil during the final 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and develop a golden, slightly crispy surface.

Notes

  • Prep the tortillas by briefly frying them in hot oil to enhance flavor and prevent soggy enchiladas.
  • Choose high-quality, tender birria meat for the most authentic and delicious filling.
  • Layering enchilada sauce on the bottom and top ensures rich, saucy flavor throughout the dish.
  • Double-cheese combination adds depth and creates a creamy, melty texture when baked.
  • Cover with oiled foil during initial baking to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.
  • Final uncovered baking creates a perfectly golden, crispy cheese topping that’s irresistibly appetizing.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 512 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 680 mg
  • Fat: 36 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 28 g
  • Cholesterol: 95 mg
Lucas Bennett

Lucas Bennett

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Simple Everyday Recipes, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Creative Meal Planning, Recipe Testing and Improvement

Education

Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wisconsin

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Practical culinary training, fundamental cooking techniques, meal planning, and using fresh, local ingredients.

Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota

  • Program: Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
  • Focus: Cooking methods that promote sustainability, farm-to-table practices, and eco-friendly meal creation.

Lucas Bennett’s cooking journey started in his parents’ kitchen, where he learned to prepare tasty, no-fuss meals from scratch. His culinary passion led him to Fox Valley Technical College, where he gained practical cooking skills.
He then expanded his focus on sustainability at Lake Superior College. Today, Lucas shares easy, approachable recipes designed to make cooking enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

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