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Slices of birria quesadillas stacked on top of each other.
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5 from 42 votes

Birria Quesadillas

Birria Quesadillas are made of tender beef and cheese sandwiched in warm flour tortillas. Serve with consomme for dipping. It's a mouthwatering and slightly addictive creation.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time2 hours 10 minutes
Total Time2 hours 25 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 449kcal

Ingredients

For the Chile Sauce:

For the Beef:

For the Quesadillas:

Instructions

For the Chile Sauce:

  • Remove the stems from the chiles.
  • Open the chiles lengthwise and remove seeds and veins.
  • Repeat until there are no more chiles left.
  • Place in a stock pot and cover with water.
  • Bring to a boil. Then, remove from heat.
  • Put a lid on the pot, and let rest for 5 minutes.
  • Throw away the water.
  • Add rehydrated chiles, cinnamon, garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, cloves, and oregano to a blender.
  • Add 2 cups water.
  • Blend until smooth.
  • Set aside until ready to use.

For the Beef:

  • Press the Saute button on the Instant Pot.
  • Add the olive oil.
  • Heat for 2 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, chop up beef into large pieces and season with salt and pepper.
  • Sear on all sides.
  • Remove the beef from the instant pot.
  • Place a strainer over the instant pot and strain the chile sauce.
  • Add the bay leaf, bouillon, and water.
  • Stir to combine and return the beef to the pot.
  • Place the lid on the instant pot.
  • Move the valve to Sealing.
  • Press the Pressure Cook button.
  • Set time to 45 minutes.
  • Once the cycle is complete, move the valve to Venting.
  • Remove the beef from the pot and chop it up.

For the Quesadillas:

  • Dip one side of the flour tortilla in the broth.
  • Place on a hot skillet, dipped side down.
  • Add ½ cup cheese on one side of the tortilla.
  • Add some of the chopped birria on top of the cheese.
  • Sprinkle the beef with diced onion and cilantro.
  • Cook for 1 minute.
  • Fold over the other half of the tortilla.
  • Flip the quesadilla to cook the other side.
  • Cook for 1 more minute.
  • Repeat until no tortillas are left.

Notes

Slow Cooker Birria Instructions

Add the seared beef to the pot. Strain sauce over the beef. Cover and set the timer for 8 hours on low, or 4 hours on high.

Stove Top Birria Instructions

Sear the beef. Strain the sauce over the beef. Cover and cook for 2 ½ hours. Halfway through, add 2 cups of beef broth.
What type of cheese to use?
Monterey Jack or any type of cheese that melts well. 

Nutrition

Calories: 449kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 916mg | Potassium: 390mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1452IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 486mg | Iron: 3mg