Birria Quesadillas: A Flavor-Packed Twist on a Classic Favorite
Have you been craving rich, cheesy birria quesadillas without waiting hours? Then, you will love this instant pot recipe and how it cuts the time but not the flavor!
If you love comforting, cheesy, flavor-packed meals, then Birria Quesadillas are about to become a new family favorite! This dish takes the rich, slow-cooked goodness of birria—a savory, spiced Mexican stew—and transforms it into crispy, cheesy quesadillas with a side of delicious consomé for dipping.
We love these quesadillas for a cozy family dinner and they are fantastic to prep for a gathering. Overall, this recipe is a hit for kids and adults and can easily be spiced up or toned down for the heat factor!
I cook this roast the same way I cook my favorite comfort meal – Southern Pot Roast. The instant pot really helps with breaking down the meat to make it tender and flavorful.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This tried and true recipe cuts cooking time in half without sacrificing deep, bold flavors.
Moreover, it includes the rich and smoky consomé for dipping that makes every bite irresistible. These super crispy tortillas packed with juicy birria and gooey cheese and they quite literally melt in your mouth. They are so delicious!
I put together a quick recipe video on exactly how I cook this meal and you can watch that here.
Let’s dive in!
What is Birria?
Birria, a traditional Mexican dish, features beef or goat slow-cooked in a broth rich with chilies, tomatoes, and aromatic spices. In addition many people enjoy it as a stew.
The world has fallen in love with Birria. It’s popularity has surged in tacos and quesadillas worldwide-but especially in American and Texas. Chefs crisp up the shredded meat and serve it with its flavorful broth for dipping. Not to mention, some brands have started making and selling Birria seasoning bombs for convenience, but in our experience, those pre-made packs can’t match the depth of flavor in a homemade blend!
The instant pot makes this recipe simple and fast!
The best part of this recipe? With an Instant Pot, you can get the same deep, slow-cooked flavor in just over an hour! There’s no need to cook this all day or overnight anymore if you can pressure cook it!
With this recipe, you can enjoy restaurant-quality quesadillas in a fraction of the time! They’re crispy, cheesy, and absolutely delicious—perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or even special occasions.
Why You’ll Love Birria Quesadillas
You see, Birria has been a staple in Mexican cuisine for centuries, originally made with slow-stewed goat or beef. Traditionally, the process takes hours of simmering, but with an Instant Pot, you can get tender, fall-apart meat in just over an hour!
Here’s why these quesadillas deserve a spot on your meal plan:
- Packed with Bold Flavor: The meat simmers in a rich blend of chilies, tomatoes, garlic, and warm spices.
- Crispy & Cheesy: The tortillas soak up the birria broth before frying, creating golden, crunchy edges with gooey, melted cheese inside.
- Perfect for Dipping: The consomé (birria broth) doubles as a savory dipping sauce, making every bite extra satisfying.
- Quick & Easy: The Instant Pot cuts cooking time in half, making this dish weeknight-friendly.
Intant Pot Birria Quesadillas
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck or short ribs
- 4 dried guajillo chilies seeded
- 1 tbsp ancho chili powder
- 1 onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can Rotel
- 2 cups beef broth or water
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Birria in the Instant Pot
- Toast the Chilies: Using the Sauté function, toast the dried chilies for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Remove and soak in 1 cup of boiling water for 5-10 minutes until soft.
- Blend the Sauce: In a blender, combine soaked chilies, rotel, onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, cinnamon, and vinegar. Blend until smooth.
- Sear the Meat: Set the Instant Pot to Sauté (High), add oil, and sear the beef on all sides for 2-3 minutes per side.
- Pressure Cook: Pour the blended sauce over the meat, add broth, bay leaves, and season with salt and pepper. Close the lid, set the valve to Sealing, and pressure cook on High for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- Natural Release: Let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.
- Shred & Strain: Remove the beef, shred it, and strain the broth (consomé) to serve on the side.
Step 2: Make the Quesadillas
- Dip & Cook: Dip a tortilla into the birria broth for extra flavor and place it on a heated skillet with a little oil or butter.
- Assemble: Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese on half the tortillas, then add shredded birria meat to them.
- Fold & Crisp: To make the quesadillas you’ll sear the other tortillas and add a small layer of cheese. Then flip onto the meat and cheese tortilla.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy.
- Repeat & Serve: Repeat with remaining tortillas, then serve with warm consomé for dipping.
Notes
Serving Tips & Variations
✔ Top with fresh cilantro, diced onions, and a squeeze of lime.✔ For extra crispy quesadillas, cook in a cast-iron skillet.
✔ Love spice? Add an extra chipotle or a pinch of cayenne to the broth.
✔ Leftover birria? Use it for tacos, burritos, or even ramen!
Tips for the Best Birria Quesadillas
Make it ahead – The birria tastes even better the next day! Simply reheat and assemble fresh quesadillas.
Try different cheeses – Oaxaca cheese is traditional, but mozzarella or Monterey Jack work great.
Adjust the spice – Love heat? Add an extra chipotle or a pinch of cayenne to the broth.
Use a cast-iron skillet – It gives the quesadillas the crispiest texture!
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, Birria quesadillas are a perfect blend of comfort and bold flavors, making them a must-try for your next meal! Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or looking for a fun new recipe to try, this dish will bring warmth, joy, and deliciousness to your table.
Checkout more of our family favorite recipes!
Have you tried making birria before? Let me know in the comments!
Blessings,
Amber
