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Spicy Mexican Beef Recipe

Spicy Mexican Beef Recipe


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4.9 from 32 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Comforting Mexican beef stew brings robust flavors from slow-simmered meat and traditional spices. Hearty ingredients combine for a soul-warming dish that connects generations of culinary passion.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 shredded beef filling (from cooking liquid)
  • 2 dried ancho chiles
  • 1 dried California chile (or guajillo chile)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) cooking liquid from shredded beef filling
  • ⅓ cup (80 ml) whole or 2% milk
  • ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) distilled white vinegar
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) kosher salt
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 ½ tsps (7.5 ml) vegetable or canola oil
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) cornstarch
  • ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Prep Ingredients: Slice white onion into delicate, uniform strips and set aside for garnishing the final dish.
  2. Tortilla Preparation: Warm corn tortillas on a comal or skillet over medium heat, rotating to develop subtle char marks and enhance pliability.
  3. Oil Heating: Bring vegetable oil to precise 350-365°F in a large saucepan, maintaining consistent temperature for optimal frying.
  4. Tortilla Frying: Submerge tortillas in hot oil using tongs, frying each for 10-15 seconds until softened but not crisp, then transfer to a clean plate.
  5. Sauce Coating: Dip each fried tortilla completely in enchilada sauce, ensuring thorough coverage on both sides and careful layering.
  6. Filling and Rolling: Distribute beef centrally on each tortilla, roll smoothly while tucking edges, and position seam-side down on serving plate.
  7. Final Presentation: Garnish enchiladas generously with sliced onions and crumbled cotija or shredded queso asadero cheese, serving immediately to preserve warmth and allow cheese to melt slightly from residual heat.

Notes

  • Master Oil Temperature: Use a digital thermometer to maintain precise 350-365°F for perfect tortilla texture without burning.
  • Tortilla Technique: Warm corn tortillas briefly on comal before frying to enhance flexibility and prevent cracking during rolling.
  • Sauce Dipping Strategy: Fully submerge each tortilla in enchilada sauce quickly to prevent oversaturation and maintain structural integrity.
  • Cheese Selection Tip: Choose fresh cotija or queso asadero for authentic flavor; grate or crumble just before serving to preserve optimal texture.
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 40 mins
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 500mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 15g
  • Cholesterol: 40mg