Description
Birria Tostada Stacks feature tender, slow-cooked beef chuck roast infused with a rich blend of toasted guajillo and ancho chiles, garlic, and Mexican oregano. Served atop crispy corn tortillas and garnished with fresh cilantro and lime, these stacks are a flavorful, satisfying Mexican-inspired dish perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Meat and Marinade
- 2 lbs beef chuck roast
- 4 dried guajillo chiles
- 2 dried ancho chiles
- 4 cloves fresh garlic
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 tsp Mexican oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Water, as needed for blending and cooking
For Serving
- 8 crispy corn tortillas
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 limes, cut into wedges
- Oil, for frying tortillas and searing beef
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: Remove stems and seeds from the guajillo and ancho chiles. Toast them lightly in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes, being careful not to burn.
- Blend: In a blender, combine the toasted chiles with fresh garlic cloves, chopped onion, Mexican oregano, salt, pepper, and enough water to blend until a smooth sauce forms.
- Marinate: Cut the beef chuck roast into chunks and coat evenly with the chile marinade. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Sear: Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Remove beef from marinade in batches and brown all sides until a deep mahogany color develops, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Slow Cook: Pour the remaining marinade into the pot with the seared beef and add enough water to cover the meat halfway. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook covered for about 3 hours, or until beef is fork-tender and shreds easily.
- Crisp Tortillas: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the corn tortillas one by one for about 30 seconds per side until crispy yet still pliable. Drain on paper towels.
- Assemble: Shred the tender birria beef and pile generously onto the crispy tortillas. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Soaking the dried chiles in hot water before toasting can soften them further if needed.
- Marinating overnight enhances the depth of flavor in the birria meat.
- To make the tortillas extra crispy, double-fry them briefly.
- Leftover birria meat can be refrigerated and used for tacos or quesadillas the next day.
- Adjust the spice level by varying the quantity or type of dried chiles used.