Prepare your taste buds for a mouthwatering twist on a classic favorite with this Birria Grilled Cheese! This recipe brings crispy toasted bread, melty cheese sandwiches, and juicy birria beef - all in one glorious bite.

This recipe takes your leftover beef birria and transforms it into an indulgent, flavor-packed sandwich that pairs perfectly with a side of consommé for dipping.

Why You'll Love Birria Grilled Cheese

This isn’t your average grilled cheese - it’s the ultimate comfort food. The tender, slow-cooked shredded beef (made from chuck roast, beef ribs, or short ribs) blends beautifully with English white cheddar and Oaxaca cheese, while crispy sourdough bread slathered with mayonnaise takes things to the next level. Plus, if you love birria tacos, this sandwich is basically their cheesy, melty best friend.

What You Need to Make Birria Grilled Cheese

You'll need these ingredients to create this flavorful broth-soaked masterpiece. Find exact measurements in the recipe card below.

Sourdough bread
English white cheddar cheese
Oaxaca cheese
Leftover birria meat (stored in an airtight container or freezer-safe container)
Heirloom tomato slices
Mayonnaise

How to Make Birria Grilled Cheese

Step 1: Preheat the Panini Press

Set your panini press to medium-high heat, following the manufacturer’s instructions. You can also use a cast iron skillet over medium heat for that perfect golden brown crust.

Step 2: Prepare the Bread

Spread mayonnaise on the side of each slice of bread. This helps create that perfectly crispy, toasted bread texture.

Step 3: Assemble the Sandwich

Place one slice of bread, mayonnaise side down, on the panini press. Layer with shredded beef, a mix of English white cheddar and Oaxaca cheese, and juicy heirloom tomato slices. If you love a little spice, throw in some pepper jack cheese for extra kick! Top with the second slice of bread, mayonnaise side up.

Step 4: Grill the Sandwich

Close the panini press and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the bread turns golden brown and the cheese is perfectly melted. If using a cast iron skillet, flip the sandwich after 3-4 minutes and cook the other side for another 5-7 minutes.

Step 5: Serve & Enjoy

Remove from the press, slice in half, and enjoy immediately. For the ultimate experience, serve with a side of consommé, which is the rich, flavorful broth left over from making birria beef.

What is Birria?

Birria is a traditional Mexican meat stew, originally made with goat meat but now commonly prepared with beef birria.

The meat is slow-braised in a blend of chili peppers, red enchilada sauce, chipotle peppers, and guajillo chiles, along with aromatic spices like cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, and garlic powder. The result? A juicy, tender, and incredibly flavorful broth perfect for dipping your birria grilled cheese!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use Different Types of Cheese?

Absolutely! While this recipe calls for English white cheddar and Oaxaca cheese, feel free to substitute with Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or a Mexican cheese blend. For a spicy twist, add pepper jack cheese!

How Can I Make Birria at Home?

To make birria beef, marinate chuck roast, short ribs, or beef ribs in a mixture of apple cider vinegar, chili peppers, and spices. Slow cook it in a slow cooker or Dutch oven with cups of water, beef broth, and red enchilada sauce for maximum flavor. Blend everything together using a food processor to create a rich birria sauce, then slow-cook until the meat is fall-apart tender.

What Can I Serve with Birria Grilled Cheese?

Pair this cheese sandwich with:

A side of consommé for dipping
A fresh tomato soup
Tortilla chips with salsa
A light white onion and avocado salad