Whole30 Birria
Warm up your kitchen with this rich and flavorful Whole30 Birria, a health-conscious twist on the traditional Mexican stew. Featuring tender, slow-simmered beef chuck roast bathed in a smoky, aromatic blend of dried guajillo, ancho, and chipotle chiles, this recipe is packed with bold, authentic spices like cumin, oregano, and cinnamon. Perfectly Whole30-compliant, it skips processed ingredients for a wholesome, nutritious meal that’s both satisfying and delicious. The lush broth, enhanced with beef bone broth and a bright splash of fresh lime juice, is a soul-soothing base for the fork-tender shredded beef. Whether enjoyed as a hearty stew or paired with fresh cilantro and lime wedges for extra zest, this Whole30 Birria is your go-to recipe for a slow-cooked, deeply flavorful dish that stays true to clean eating principles. Ideal for meal prep or a cozy dinner, it promises restaurant-worthy results from the comfort of your home.
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2.5 pounds boneless beef chuck roast
- 4 dried guajillo chiles
- 4 dried ancho chiles
- 2 dried chipotle chiles
- 1 white onion
- 6 garlic cloves
- 3 whole cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- 0.5 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 cups beef bone broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Instructions
Start by removing the seeds and stems from the guajillo, ancho, and chipotle chiles. Heat a skillet over medium heat and dry-toast the chiles for about 2 minutes, or until they become fragrant, turning occasionally. Be careful not to burn them.
Place the toasted chiles in a bowl and cover with hot water. Let them soak for about 15 minutes to soften.
Meanwhile, cube the beef chuck roast into large chunks, about 2 inches in size. Set aside.
Peel and quarter the onion. Peel the garlic cloves.
In a blender, combine the softened chiles, onion, garlic, whole cloves, bay leaves, apple cider vinegar, cumin, oregano, peppercorns, and sea salt along with the soaking water. Blend until the mixture is smooth and well-combined.
In a Dutch oven or large heavy pot, add the beef chunks. Pour the blended chile sauce over the beef, ensuring the meat is well-coated.
Add the cinnamon stick and pour in the beef bone broth. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 3.5 to 4 hours, or until the beef is tender and falls apart easily.
Once the beef is cooked, use tongs to remove the beef chunks and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded beef to the pot to soak in the broth.
Before serving, stir in the fresh lime juice for added brightness.
Serve the Whole30 Birria hot in bowls, optionally garnished with fresh cilantro, additional lime wedges, or chopped onions (all compliant with Whole30).
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3399 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 239.1 g | 307% | |
| Saturated Fat | 93.1 g | 465% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 850 mg | 284% | |
| Sodium | 4480 mg | 195% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 88.7 g | 32% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 32.8 g | 117% | |
| Total Sugars | 14.1 g | ||
| Protein | 244.5 g | 489% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 479 mg | 37% | |
| Iron | 43.2 mg | 240% | |
| Potassium | 6216 mg | 132% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
