Mexican Brisket Recipes

BIRRIA DE RES -- BEEF BIRRIA

Steps:

• Start by rinsing and de-stemming the tomatoes. Roast them in a 400F oven for 20-25 minutes or until you need them.
• Wipe off any dusty crevasses on the dried chiles. De-stem and de-seed the chiles, but don't worry about getting rid of every last seed. Roast them in the oven for 1-2 minutes or until warm and fragrant. Add the chile pieces to a bowl and cover them with the hottest tap water you've got. Let them reconstitute for 20 minutes or so.
• Roughly chop 1 onion and peel 6 garlic cloves. Add a glug of oil to a skillet on medium heat and saute the onions and whole garlic cloves. Once the onion has softened and lightly browned you can add this mixture to the blender.
• Add a thin layer of oil to a skillet and preheat to medium-high. Chop up the brisket into chunks and give it a good salting. Sear each side of the beef in the skillet for a few minutes or until it is browning. Add the seared meat pieces to the slow cooker. You can optionally deglaze the pan with the 2 cups of stock that's used to liquefy the sauce.
• Before draining the reconstituted chiles take a taste of the soaking liquid. If it tastes bitter to you then use stock for the sauce. If you like the flavor you are welcome to use the soaking liquid in place of the stock.
• Add the drained chiles, roasted tomatoes, and the onion-garlic mixture to a blender along with: 2 cups of stock (or what you used to deglaze the meat pan), 2 chipotles in adobo (optional), 1-2 tablespoons adobo sauce from the can (optional), 1 teaspoon cumin, 2 teaspoons Mexican oregano, 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon, pinch of ground clove, 2 teaspoons salt, and some freshly cracked black pepper. Combine well. Note: if you're using stock that's high in sodium you can consider starting with a single teaspoon of salt and going from there.
• Take a taste of the sauce. An easy to way to add more heat is to add an additional half or whole chipotle. Keep in mind that the sauce has to compete with the big flavor of the beef so I tend to make it salty and fiery at this point.
• Cover the seared meat pieces with the sauce. Slow cook on low for 4-6 hours.
• Once cooked you can optionally skim off any fat that has risen to the surface. Shred the beef using two forks and discard any fatty chunks that you don't want to eat.
• Add the shredded beef (or as much as you are using for tonight's meal) to a separate bowl and add enough sauce to give it a thorough coating. Adding the sauce to the shredded beef is the key so don't skip this step!
• One serving option is to simply add the shredded beef back to the sauce and serve it soup style -- you may need to thin out the sauce with some stock if you choose this option.
• But I chose tacos for this batch. Add corn tortillas to a dry skillet over medium heat along with slices of cheese. Once the cheese is melted and the underside of the tortillas are forming light brown spots they are ready to go. You can optionally add the meat to the tortillas in the skillet for a quick reheat.
• I topped these tacos with Salsa de Aguacate, finely chopped raw onion, freshly chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
• Store leftover Birria in the fridge where it will keep for a few days.

MACHACA AKA SLOW COOKER BEEF BRISKET STRAIGHT FROM #THEKITCHEN

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic and jalapeno.
• Add a pinch of salt and about 8 grinds of black pepper.
• Whisk in the olive oil.
• To a large plastic bag, add the beef brisket.
• Pour the marinade into a bag over the beef, seal the bag fully, removing all air and squish around for a bit.
• Let the beef marinate for about 8 hours or overnight in the fridge.
• To a large sauté pan (or a stovetop safe slow cooker insert), add a touch of olive oil.
• Let heat over medium high heat.
• Remove the beef brisket from the marinade, discarding the marinade, and add the beef to the pan.
• Sear the beef on all sides and remove to a plate to rest for a minute.
• To the slow cooker, add the diced onions, red bell peppers, garlic, and jalapenos.
• Stir to combine.
• Crush the Mexican oregano between your fingers to release the flavor a bit and add to the slow cooker, followed by the fire roasted diced tomatoes.
• Test for seasoning and add any salt and pepper, if needed
• Stir everything to combine and nestle in the seared beef brisket and any juices.
• Pour over the beef broth, making sure it doesn't come over the top of the beef.
• Set the slow cooker to low and cook for about 8 1/2 hours.
• Remove from the slow cooker and let cool on a plate for about 10 minutes until you can shred it with forks.
• Skim the fat from the sauce and ladle some of the sauce mixture into a dish.
• Place the shredded beef into a serving bowl and ladle some of the warmed tomato sauce over the beef. Stir to combine.
• Serve with tortillas, sour cream, lettuce, and queso fresco along with the warmed sauce.
• Enjoy!

MEXICAN BRISKET

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, salt, dry mustard, garlic powder, cumin, coriander, and chili powder. Rub spice mixture all over the meat. 3. Heat evoo in an ovenproof heavy-bottomed pan, such as a Dutch oven. 4. Over high heat, brown brisket for 4 to 5 minutes on each side. 5. When meat is brown, add broth, cover, and place in oven at 375°F for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Source: Quick & Kosher Meals in Minutes

MEXICAN STYLE BRISKET

Steps:

• Remove and discard stems and seeds from chiles. Put in 1 qt water and bring to boil.
• Remove, cover and let stand until softened, about 45-60 minute (omit this step if using powder)
• Puree the chiles with the rest of the seasonings (everything except the beef and onions)until smooth.
• Place meat in a roasting pan, top with chile mixture and onions.
• Seal pan tightly with aluminum foil.
• Bake, covered, at 350F until brisket is very tender, about 4 hours, basting occasionally.
• Shred meat, mix with onion and juices.
• Serve with cilantro, lime and sour cream to add to taste. Roll in tortillas for a burrito, or serve it over white rice.

MEXICAN BRISKET

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• Sprinkle the brisket with the coarse salt and pepper.
• Dredge in flour to coat and shake off any excess.
• In a large Dutch oven heat oil over high heat.
• Sear the meat until browned on all sides.
• Set aside.
• Reduce heat to medium and add the carrots and onion.
• Cook,stirring occasionally, until golden brown,8 to 10 minutes.
• Add the garlic and sauté 2 minutes longer.
• Return the meat to the pan along with all other remaining ingredients except salt and garnish.
• Bring to a boil, cover the pot and transfer to the oven.
• Bake for 2 1/2 hours, or until the meat slips off a fork when pierced.
• Lift out the brisket and place on a cutting board.
• Cover with a damp towel.
• Pour the broth with vegetables into a tall container and skim off the fat that rises.
• Remove and discard the bay leaves and chilies.
• Pour the broth and vegetables into a blender or food processor fitted with a metal blade.
• Puree until smooth, add salt to taste and strain.
• Reheat the sauce.
• Slice the brisket against the grain and arrange on a platter.
• Pour the warm sauce over it, sprinkle with sliced scallions and serve.

MEXICAN BEEF BRISKET

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Sprinkle the brisket with the coarse salt and pepper. Dredge in flour to coat and shake off any excess. In a large Dutch oven heat oil over high heat. Sear the meat until browned on all sides. Set aside. Reduce heat to moderate and add the carrots and onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and saute 2 minutes longer. Return the meat to the pan along with all remaining ingredients except the salt and garnishes. Bring to a boil, cover the pot and transfer to the oven. Bake for 2 1/2 hours, or until the meat slips off a fork when pierced. Lift out the brisket and place on a cutting board. Cover with a damp towel. Pour the broth with vegetables into a tall container and skim off the layer of fat that rises. Remove and discard the bay leaves and chiles. Pour the broth and vegetables into a blender or a food processor fitted with the metal blade. Puree until smooth, add salt to taste and strain. Reheat the sauce. Slice the brisket against the grain and arrange on a platter. Pour the warm sauce over it, sprinkle with sliced scallions and serve.

SLOW-COOKER BRAISED BRISKET (MACHACA)

Steps:

• For the marinade: Combine the Maggi sauce, lime juice, 2 tablespoons water, garlic and serranos in a medium-size bowl, season with salt and pepper. While whisking constantly, slowly add the olive oil, Put the brisket pieces into a large food-safe plastic bag and pour the marinade over it, turning the meat to coat. Seal and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or preferably overnight.
• Allow the meat to come to room temperature. Drain the meat and discard the marinade.
• For the brisket: Pour the oil into the bottom of a slow cooker. Add the onions, broth, peppers, oregano, garlic, chiles, tomatoes and some salt and pepper. Mix well, and then nestle the meat into the liquid in the bottom of the slow cooker. Cook the brisket on medium-high heat until the meat is tender and shreds easily with a fork, about 5 hours.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer the meat to a cutting board and let stand until cool enough to handle, about 15 minutes. Shred the meat into 2-inch-long pieces. Return the shredded meat to the slow cooker, stir to combine, and let stand until the meat is hot, about 10 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if necessary.
• The warm braised meat can be used to fill burritos, tacos, tostadas or sandwiches. Leftover meat can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days or frozen in plastic freezer bags or containers for up to 1 month.
• For the tostadas: Spread about 1/3 cup of the warm meat over each of the crisp shells. Top each tostada with about 2 tablespoons lettuce, some diced avocado and 2 tablespoons salsa. Drizzle about 1 tablespoon crema over the top and garnish with crumbled queso fresco.
• Serve with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the top.