This Birria Ramen blends bold Mexican flavors with savory ramen noodles for a deliciously spicy and hearty bowl. The tender beef soaked in rich, aromatic broth topped with fresh garnishes creates a perfect combination of spice and comfort.
With the soft, chewy ramen noodles and a touch of lime, cilantro, and queso fresco, every spoonful of this dish offers a new burst of flavor. The earthy guajillo chiles and cinnamon stick create a warming, aromatic broth, while the beef melts in your mouth. It’s the perfect dish to enjoy on a cold evening or to impress your friends with a fun, flavorful fusion.
Full Recipe:
- 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into chunks
- 4 dried guajillo chiles, stemmed and seeded
- 2 dried pasilla chiles, stemmed and seeded
- 1 dried ancho chile, stemmed and seeded
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 package ramen noodles
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- 1/2 cup diced onions (for garnish)
- 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco (for garnish)
- 1/4 cup radishes, thinly sliced (for garnish)
Directions:
- Start by cooking the beef. In a large pot, heat a bit of oil and brown the beef chunks on all sides, then remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the guajillo, pasilla, and ancho chiles. Toast them lightly for about 2-3 minutes to release their flavors. Add tomatoes, onion, garlic, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves. Sauté for 5 minutes.
- Add the beef broth, apple cider vinegar, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and cloves to the pot. Stir and bring to a boil.
- Return the beef to the pot, season with salt and pepper, and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for 2-3 hours until the beef is tender and easily shreds.
- While the beef is cooking, prepare the ramen noodles according to package instructions, then drain.
- Once the beef is done, shred it using two forks and return the meat to the pot with the broth.
- To serve, place a portion of ramen noodles into bowls, top with the birria beef and broth, and garnish with cilantro, diced onions, queso fresco, radishes, and a lime wedge.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 3 hours | Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Kcal: 620 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Birria Ramen with Beef: A Delicious Mexican Fusion Dish
Birria, a rich and flavorful Mexican stew, has become a beloved dish in the culinary world. Traditionally made with goat, beef has increasingly become the preferred choice for its accessibility and robust flavor. One of the latest and most exciting innovations in the birria world is Birria Ramen with Beef, a fusion of the iconic Mexican stew and the comforting Japanese ramen. This hearty dish combines the rich, savory flavors of birria with the tender ramen noodles, creating a perfect balance of spiciness, umami, and comfort. It has gained popularity across social media platforms, and many food lovers are eager to recreate it in their kitchens.
What is Birria Ramen?
Birria Ramen with Beef is a fusion dish that combines the traditional Mexican stew, birria, with the Japanese noodle dish, ramen. The birria is made by slowly cooking beef in a spiced broth, known as consomé, and then serving it with ramen noodles. The rich flavors of the consomé, enhanced by dried chiles, garlic, onions, and various spices, are absorbed by the ramen noodles, creating a savory and slightly spicy broth. The tender beef, shredded into bite-sized pieces, adds texture and richness to the dish, while fresh garnishes like cilantro, onions, and lime provide a refreshing contrast.
The History of Birria
Birria hails from the Jalisco region of Mexico, where it originated as a celebratory dish. Traditionally made with goat meat, it has been enjoyed for generations, often served at festive gatherings and special occasions. The slow-cooked meat is stewed in a broth made with a blend of dried peppers, spices, and seasonings, creating a flavorful and aromatic dish that has stood the test of time.
Over the years, birria has evolved, and beef has become a popular alternative to goat, thanks to its accessibility and the robust flavor it imparts to the broth. Birria tacos, in particular, have become a street food sensation, widely available in food trucks and eateries across Mexico and the United States.
The Birth of Birria Ramen
The combination of birria and ramen is a more recent innovation, merging two distinct culinary traditions into one mouthwatering dish. This unique fusion began to gain traction in social media circles, where food enthusiasts and chefs alike experimented with the concept of pairing birria’s rich and flavorful consomé with ramen noodles. The dish combines the comfort of a warm bowl of ramen with the bold, spicy flavors of birria, and it has since become a must-try dish for those looking to indulge in new flavors.
The birria ramen craze took off in Los Angeles, a city known for its vibrant food scene and multicultural influences. From food trucks to trendy restaurants, birria ramen has become a popular menu item. It has also gained significant attention on social media platforms, with food bloggers and influencers sharing their versions of this delicious fusion dish.
How to Make Birria Ramen with Beef
Creating Birria Ramen with Beef is an enjoyable and rewarding process. While the recipe may seem intricate at first, it can be simplified with the use of a pressure cooker or Instant Pot. The key components of the dish include the consomé (broth), the beef, and the ramen noodles.
Making the Consomé (Broth)
The consomé is the heart of the dish, and it’s what imparts the rich, bold flavors that define birria. The broth is made by rehydrating dried guajillo peppers, which are known for their mild heat, along with the spicy chile de árbol and other spices like cumin, cinnamon, garlic, and oregano. The peppers are blended into a smooth sauce, and this mixture is then poured over the beef to simmer, creating a flavorful and aromatic broth.
For added depth of flavor, some people opt to include chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, which brings a smoky heat to the broth. The broth can be made ahead of time, allowing the flavors to deepen and meld together. It can also be kept separate from the beef, allowing for versatility in future meals.
Cooking the Beef
The beef used in birria ramen is typically a beef chuck roast, which is known for its tenderness and flavor. Seasoning the beef with chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, and other spices ensures that it absorbs all the savory flavors of the broth during the cooking process. The pressure cooker is an excellent tool for speeding up the cooking time while ensuring that the meat becomes tender and easy to shred. Once the beef is cooked, it’s shredded into bite-sized pieces, ready to be added to the ramen bowl.
Preparing the Ramen
While the consomé and beef are simmering away, the ramen noodles are prepared. You can use any type of ramen noodles, whether from an instant ramen packet or fresh noodles from an Asian market. The noodles are cooked until al dente, then placed in a bowl. The rich birria consomé is ladled over the noodles, ensuring that the ramen absorbs the flavorful broth. The shredded beef is then added to the bowl, followed by garnishes like diced onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
Customizing Birria Ramen
One of the great things about Birria Ramen is that it can be easily customized to suit personal tastes. For those who love spicy food, you can add more chile de árbol or chipotle peppers to intensify the heat. If you prefer a milder flavor, simply adjust the amount of dried peppers used in the consomé.
Additionally, you can play around with the garnishes. Some people like to add avocado slices, radishes, or even a dollop of sour cream for a creamy contrast. The possibilities are endless, and each bowl can be tailored to create the perfect birria ramen experience.
How to Use Leftover Birria
If you have any leftover birria, there are plenty of creative ways to use it. The shredded beef can be used to make delicious birria tacos or quesadillas. You can also make taquitos, a sandwich like a torta, or simply add it to a salad for extra flavor. Birria is versatile and can be enjoyed in many forms, making it a great dish to prepare in bulk for leftovers.
Conclusion
Birria Ramen with Beef is a delightful fusion dish that brings together the best of Mexican and Japanese cuisines. The rich, flavorful consomé, combined with tender beef and ramen noodles, creates a comforting yet bold meal that is sure to satisfy. Whether you’re a fan of birria or new to the dish, this recipe is a must-try for anyone looking to explore new flavors and enjoy a unique, hearty dish. With its combination of savory broth, tender meat, and flavorful garnishes, Birria Ramen with Beef has quickly become a beloved comfort food that transcends cultural boundaries. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or simply enjoying a cozy meal at home, this dish is sure to impress.
This recipe is a perfect example of how food can bring different culinary traditions together in a way that is both innovative and delicious. As the popularity of birria continues to rise, Birria Ramen is sure to remain a favorite among food lovers everywhere.