Birria quesadillas with chicken or beef are a delicious, spicy or mild lunch you’ll love. Tender Mexican meat with homemade birria sauce and cheeses made on the stovetop or air fryer recipes are here.

Birria Quesadillas
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These beef, chicken birria quesadillas, or you can make them with cow tongue if you like are amazing. We will show you how to make the sauce from scratch as well as get the meat tender and pan fry each one smothered in sauce and oozing with cheese! (affiliate links present)

Taco Quesadillas

You can use any sort of meat you like to make these. From pork to beef or like our chicken birria tacos recipe just with more cheese they all work great! Birria quesadillas are a delectable combination of rich, slow-cooked shredded beef birria and gooey melted cheese, all wrapped within a warm corn tortilla.

While birria is traditionally made with goat meat, the beef known as birria de res, have become very popular due to its flavorful tender texture. We will explore the process of preparing these using both traditional and modern cooking methods. Then you will see how in a faster cook time and homemade birria sauce you can adjust the heat to your liking easily.

Shredded Beef Quesadillas

Chicken Birria Quesadilla

To achieve the perfect birria meat, begin by selecting a high-quality cut such as chuck roast. Generously season the beef with salt and pepper, ensuring that the flavors penetrate every inch of the meat. Next, choose your preferred cooking method – the stove top, slow cooker, or instant pot – to tenderize the beef to perfection.

For those seeking a hands-off approach, the slow cooker chuck roast is an excellent choice. Place the seasoned beef in the slow cooker and add enough water or broth to cover the meat. Cook on medium-high heat for 6-8 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together and the meat to become fork-tender. The low, slow cooking process ensures that the birria develops depth and complexity.

Birria on Stove Top

If you prefer a quicker method without sacrificing taste, the stove top is ideal. In a large pot, sear the seasoned beef on medium-high heat until browned on all sides. Then, reduce the heat to medium-low and add enough birria broth or water to cover the meat. Simmer for approximately 2-3 hours, or until the meat easily shreds with a fork.

Birria Quesadilla

How to Make Quesadilla Birria

For those seeking convenience without compromising on flavor, Instant Pot birria is a game changer. After browning the seasoned beef using the sauté function, add the desired amount of birria broth or water to the pot. Seal the instant pot and cook on high pressure for approximately 60-90 minutes, depending on the size of the meat. The result will be tender and succulent in a fraction of the time.

Once your birria meat is tender and flavorful, it’s time to assemble the birria quesadillas. Begin by heating a skillet over medium-high heat and lightly toasting the corn tortillas on both sides. This step enhances their texture and flavor.

Fill each tortilla generously with shredded beef and a generous amount of Monterey Jack cheese. Fold the tortilla in half, creating a half moon shape, and cook in the skillet until the cheese melts and the tortilla turns golden brown on both sides.

Birria Chicken Quesadillas

shredded cheese

What are birria chicken quesadillas made of?

The only difference here is the inclusion of the sauce. You can serve your quesadillas birria with a side of your sauce for dipping or drizzle inside and on top. This complements the tender meat and melty cheese, elevating the overall flavor profile.

For added freshness, garnish with finely chopped onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice. Enjoy these chicken or beef quesadillas hot off the skillet to experience the perfect blend of flavors and textures.

Shredded Chicken Quesadillas

A fusion of traditional Mexican cuisine and modern culinary techniques. By slow-cooking beef birria to perfection, melting Monterey Jack cheese, and encasing them in toasted corn tortillas, you’ll experience a mouthwatering symphony of flavors. You just;

  • Brush chicken thighs or cubed beef with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, and pepper on both sides.
    • In a dutch oven, fry the chicken thighs for 3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
  • Add the diced onion and garlic for 5 minutes on low heat until fragrant. Next, add tomato sauce, chopped tomatoes, all your spices, salt, bay leaf, pour in broth, chicken thighs and add guajillo peppers to the pot. Mix everything thoroughly.
  • Cover the pot with a lid and cook on medium heat for an hour. After an hour, remove the thighs and set aside, discard the bay leaf from the broth, and tear off the tails from the peppers.
  • Place the remaining ingredients in a blender and blend until a smooth. If the sauce seems too thick for you, add a little broth or water to bring it to the desired consistency.
  • Chop your cooked chicken and put into a bowl. Add approximately 4 tablespoons of the sauce into the bowl with the chopped chicken meat, stir. Serve inside tortillas this way if you’d like tacos.
  • To make birria quesadillas though you would pour the remaining sauce into a wide bottom bowl. Roll the tortilla on both sides in it so it’s coated. Put the tortilla in the hot pan.

Add some of the chopped chicken meat on one half of it, sprinkle with lots of cheese on top. Cover with the other half of the tortilla and fry for about 3 minutes until the tortilla becomes crispy around the edges and cheese is melted.

Taco Quesadillas

Things to add into Birria Quesadillas

You can certainly add thinly sliced onions into the middle of them for a touch of sweetness and a bit of crunch. Fresh cilantro adds a vibrant and herbaceous note to them, balancing the richness of the meat and cheese.

  1. For a hint of spice, add sliced roasted jalapeños to your quesadillas. Adjust the amount according to your preference for heat.
  2. Creamy avocado or guacamole adds a velvety texture and a refreshing element to the inside or served on top or as a dip for them. Spread it on the tortilla before adding the filling.
  3. Enhance the overall flavor profile by adding your favorite roasted chili corn salsa or hot sauce. Whether it’s a tangy salsa verde or a smoky chipotle sauce, it will add a delightful kick to the dish.
  4. A squeeze of some fresh lime juice over the top before serving brings each one a citrusy tang brightens the flavors and adds a touch of acidity.
  5. Pickled Red Onions are nice and tangy. Slightly sweet pickled red onions provide a zesty burst of flavor and a contrasting texture to the rich filling.
  6. Crumble some queso fresco on top of the birria filling for an extra layer of creaminess and a slightly salty taste.
  7. Thinly sliced radishes provide a crisp and peppery bite to the quesadillas, adding freshness and crunch.
  8. A dollop of sour cream on top lends a cool and creamy element, complementing the spiciness of the birria.

Feel free to mix and match these ingredients based on your personal taste preferences. The combination of flavors and textures will elevate your tortilla filled meat and cheese to a whole new level of deliciousness.

Quesadilla Birria

Birria Quesadilla with Chicken

Whether you choose to prepare birria de res on the stove top, in a slow cooker, or using an instant pot, this recipe guarantees tender meat and an explosion of taste in every bite. So, gather your ingredients, fire up the stove, and embark on a culinary journey with our birria quesadilla recipe as your guide.

What is different between birria quesadillas and tacos?

I mean not much. Typically the biggest change would be that you typically fill and heat the large tortilla filled with meat and cheese to melt for quesadillas. Tacos are filled with the same birria sauce, chicken and shredded cheddar but many times served as is, not heated to melt it all together.

What kind of tortillas do you use for birria quesadillas?

That really is up to you but typically flour tortillas can be much larger to hold more filling and aren’t as gritty. You can make smaller versions with corn if you’d rather but they do have a grittier texture and don’t soak up the sauce as much as the other.

What type of chicken do you use for chicken birria quesadillas?

Typically thighs are cooked in the sauce, shredded and enjoyed inside with cheese. Breasts could be used instead if you preferred, that is just not as traditional as dark meat is. Use boneless skinless so it shreds easily when cooked in this spicy sauce.

Birria Quesadillas
5 from 5 votes

Birria Quesadillas

By The Typical Mom
Birria quesadillas with chicken or beef are a delicious, spicy or mild lunch you'll love. Tender Mexican meat with homemade sauce and cheese.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8
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Equipment

  • 1 dutch oven
  • 1 pan

Ingredients 

  • 5 chicken thighs, boneless skinless is ideal, or cubed chuck roast
  • 1 onion
  • 1 c tomato sauce
  • 2 c chicken broth
  • 1 tomato
  • 2 guajillo chiles
  • 3 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1.5 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 1 tsp basil
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1/3 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 2 c cheese, cheddar and Monterey jack is great
  • 6-8 large tortillas

Instructions 

  • Brush chicken thighs with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, and pepper on both sides. In a dutch oven, fry the chicken thighs for 3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
  • Add the diced onion and garlic for 5 minutes on low heat until fragrant. Next, add tomato sauce, chopped tomatoes, all your spices, salt, bay leaf, pour in broth, chicken thighs and add guajillo peppers to the pot. Mix everything thoroughly.
  • Cover the pot with a lid and cook on medium heat for an hour (or until meat shreds easily with forks). After an hour, remove the thighs, or beef and set aside, discard the bay leaf from the broth, and tear off the tails from the peppers.
  • Place the remaining ingredients in a blender and blend until a smooth. If the sauce seems too thick for you, add a little broth or water to bring it to the desired consistency.
  • Chop your cooked chicken and put into a bowl. Add approximately 4 tablespoons of the sauce into the bowl with the chopped chicken meat, stir. Serve inside tortillas this way if you'd like tacos.
  • To make birria quesadillas though you would pour the remaining sauce into a wide bottom bowl. Roll the tortilla on both sides in it so it's coated. Put the tortilla in the hot pan.
  • Add some of the chopped chicken meat on one half of it, sprinkle with lots of cheese on top. Cover with the other half of the tortilla and fry for about 3 minutes until the tortilla becomes crispy around the edges and cheese is melted.
  • Can add more chopped onion, cilantro, salsa or guacamole inside too before melting if desired.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1oz, Calories: 200kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 70mg, Sodium: 517mg, Potassium: 322mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 564IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 19mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Entree, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Tried this recipe?Mention @thetypical_mom or tag #thetypicalmom!

About The Typical Mom

Justine is the creative mind behind The Typical Mom and The Typical Family on YouTube. She began blogging about easy recipes, budget friendly activities for kids, and fun family travel destinations in September 2012.

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4 Comments

  1. Delicious and a perfect option for Dinner. Definitely the sauce flavors and the spice flavors make it yummy

  2. I made this recipe with beef in the instantpot. The meat turned out beautifully! I made tacos one night and then we used te meat on top of nachos later in the week! Such a great recipe. I will be making this again for sure.

  3. The combination of the tender, flavorful birria meat and the melted cheese in a crispy tortilla is simply divine. It’s a must-try for all quesadilla lovers out there!