Picture this: cheese oozing, the sound of bread crisping up, and a hint of spice that tickles your senses. Let me introduce you to the star of the cozy food scene, the birria grilled cheese. This dish has taken over TikTok and Pinterest, alluring hungry folks with its cheesy goodness and delicious dipping sauce!
This delightful sandwich combines tender, slow-cooked birria, melty cheese, and buttery bread for that warm, homey feeling. It’s like your grandma’s version but way faster and perfect for busy nights. Plus, it’s pantry-friendly who doesn’t love a meal that feels special without all the fuss? Full details in the blog!
Enjoy this birria grilled cheese featuring slow cooked shredded beef with melty cheeses and fresh cilantro in a crispy Texas toast. Perfect for a homemade birria cheese sandwich with a dipping sauce. It’s a delicious and easy quesabirria grilled cheese recipe.
Ingredients
Scale
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 pounds chuck roast
1 tablespoon beef bouillon powder or 1 bouillon cube
1 can 28 ounces enchilada sauce red
½ cup 1 stick 113 g unsalted butter divided
20 slices Texas toast
1 medium white onion finely diced divided
2½ cups 305 g queso fresco divided
2½ cups 282.5 g mozzarella cheese shredded divided
2 teaspoons chopped cilantro divided
Instructions
Heat oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
Brown the chuck roast for 3 to 5 minutes on each side until nicely seared.
Transfer the meat to a crockpot and pour the enchilada sauce over it, then add the bouillon powder on top.
Cover and let it slow cook on low for 10 hours until the beef becomes tender and easy to shred.
Remove the beef and shred it well with two forks, then put the shredded meat back into the cooker juices.
Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat to prepare the grilled cheese sandwiches.
Spread butter on one side of each bread slice.
Place the bread buttered side down in the skillet, then add ½ cup shredded beef, 1 tablespoon diced white onion, ¼ cup queso fresco, ¼ cup mozzarella, and a sprinkle of cilantro before topping with another buttered slice of bread.
Cook on medium-low heat for 5 to 7 minutes until golden, then flip and cook the other side for another 5 to 7 minutes to melt cheese and crisp the bread.
Remove carefully with a spatula and serve with leftover slow cooker juices for dipping.
Notes
If you have premade shredded beef birria, assembling and cooking these sandwiches only takes about 20 minutes
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:10 hours
Category:Dinner, Main Course
Method:Grilled
Cuisine:American
Nutrition
Calories:703kcal
Why It’s a Family Favorite
When it comes to cozy meals, few dishes hit the spot quite like a birria grilled cheese. This recipe brings nostalgia right back to the table, evoking memories of warmth and laughter shared over comforting food. The combination of tender, slow-cooked beef and melty cheeses nestled between buttery Texas toast creates a comforting delight that everyone will adore.
Easy to Make: Despite the impressive flavors, the process is simple and perfect for both novice and experienced cooks.
Feeding a Crowd: This recipe yields around 10 sandwiches, making it ideal for family gatherings or a fun night in with friends.
Dipping Delights: Don’t forget the dipping sauce! The leftover juices from the slow-cooker are perfect for adding even more flavor.
Versatile: The ingredients lend themselves to endless variationsyou can mix and match cheeses or use your favorite herbs!
Key Ingredients & Tools
Before we dive into making this delicious sandwich, let’s explore the key players in this cozy recipe. All you need are a few simple ingredients and a couple of trusty tools.
Chuck Roast: The star ingredient! Slow-cooked to perfection, it adds rich, savory flavor.
Cheeses: Queso fresco and mozzarella blend beautifully, creating a melty masterpiece.
Enchilada Sauce: This adds a delicious depth and a touch of spiciness.
Texas Toast: Thick slices that grill up perfectly, bringing a crunch to each bite.
As for tools, you’ll need a large cast-iron skillet for searing, a crockpot for the slow cook, and an additional skillet for grilling your sandwiches. A couple of forks for shredding the beef will also come in handy!
Simple Steps to Make It
Ready to turn up the heat? Here’s a step-by-step guide to making the ultimate birria grilled cheese. Trust me, it’s a lot more straightforward than it sounds.
In a large cast-iron skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the chuck roast for about 3-5 minutes on each side.
Transfer the seared roast to your crockpot. Sprinkle with beef bouillon powder and cover it with the enchilada sauce. Set the slow cooker on low for 10 hours.
Once the beef is tender, remove it from the crockpot and shred it with two forks, then return it to the juices.
Preheat another skillet to medium-high heat. Butter one side of each slice of Texas toast.
For each sandwich, place a slice of bread buttered side down in the skillet. Add a generous scoop of shredded beef, some diced onions, a mix of queso fresco and mozzarella, and finish with another slice of bread buttered side up.
Cook each sandwich for about 5-7 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crisp outside, with gooey cheese inside.
Pro Tips & Variations
To make your kitchen adventure even smoother, here are some handy pro tips and fun variations to try!
Shortcut: If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought or pre-made shredded beef to whip up these sandwiches in about 20 minutes!
Cheese Swap: Feel free to experiment with other cheeses such as cheddar or pepper jack for a spicier kick.
Herb Boost: Add fresh herbs like basil or more cilantro into your sandwich for an extra flavor punch.
Spicy Twist: If you like heat, stir in some jalapeños into the mix for a spicy birria grilled cheese!
How to Serve & Store
After all that hard work, you’ll want to enjoy every bite! Here are some serving suggestions and storage tips.
Serving Suggestion: Serve the sandwiches alongside a small bowl of the leftover dipping sauce for that extra savory experience.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in a skillet for that perfect crispy texture.
Store
Duration
Reheating Method
Refrigerator
Up to 3 days
Skillet until warm
Freezer
Up to 2 months
Thaw, then skillet
Now that you have the scoop on making this cozy birria grilled cheese, gather your family, grab those ingredients, and dive into this delicious comfort food adventure! Enjoy every cheesy, cozy bite!
Expert Says
The BIRRIA GRILLED CHEESE is a delightful fusion that brings together rich flavors and textures. The choice of cheese is crucial; melty varieties like Oaxaca or mozzarella not only enhance the taste but also create that perfect gooey consistency, elevating your grilled cheese to a savory masterpiece.
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The Quest for the Ultimate Birria Grilled Cheese
After countless attempts and a few too many cheese explosions, I finally cracked the code for the most scrumptious birria grilled cheese. Each failure became a lesson, and I can still hear my family’s laughter as my first attempts turned into a gooey mess. Now, this recipe is a cherished crowd-pleaser, and oh so worth the journey!
FAQs ( Birria Grilled Cheese )
What is birria and what are its main ingredients?
Birria is a flavorful Mexican stew traditionally made with beef, goat, or lamb, and is seasoned with spices like chili, cumin, and thyme. This dish is often served with broth and tortillas. It’s the star ingredient in many variations, including the grilled cheese sandwich version.
Can I make the birria ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the birria a day in advance, as the flavors improve overnight. Just store it in the fridge in an airtight container and reheat when you’re ready to make your grilled cheese sandwiches.
What type of cheese is best for this sandwich?
For a perfect melt, use a combination of mozzarella and Oaxaca cheese. These cheeses provide great stretch and a mild flavor that complements the spices in the birria. Feel free to experiment with cheddar for added sharpness.
How do I make the dipping sauce?
The dipping sauce is simply the reserved birria broth. To enhance the flavor, add a squeeze of lime juice and some chopped onions. This adds a refreshing kick when dipped into the crispy grilled cheese.
Can I add vegetables to this recipe?
Yes! Feel free to add sautéed peppers, onions, or spinach for extra flavor and nutrition. These can be added to the grilled cheese for a delicious twist while keeping the flavors balanced.
Conclusion
With just a little prep time and a dash of love, you’ll be savoring the warmth of a freshly made birria grilled cheese in no time! The soft, gooey cheese blending with that tender, zesty birria will make your taste buds dance. Trust me, you’ll love how it turns out it’s the ultimate comfort food embraced by our family meals.
Feel free to get creative! Swap in your favorite cheeses or add a sprinkle of jalapeños for a kick. And when it comes to leftovers, just pop them in the skillet for a quick crispy treat that brings back that first bite. A trick I learned from my aunt’s kitchen is to always keep a little dipping sauce on the sideit elevates the experience!
I’d love to hear about your own cozy experiences with this recipe! Did you grow up with something like this? Snap a pic and share it with me. Let’s keep this delicious tradition alivesave this recipe for a rainy day or a fun family gathering. Happy cooking! 🧀❤️
Sharing a handpicked collection of easy, healthy recipes made in our family kitchen. Rachel brings comforting classics, while Emily adds fresh, modern ideas together creating meals that are simple, flavorful, and family-friendly.
