What is birria?

Birria is simply defined as meat stewed in a rich sauce made of dried chiles, spices, and herbs. However, like most stews, this dish is anything but simple. It is a traditional Mexican recipe filled with complex flavors and a deep culinary history that dates back centuries.

Traditionally, it’s made using goat meat and is prepared for special occasions. Over the years, the concept and flavors of birria have gained popularity in the U.S., particularly in Las Vegas where numerous restaurants and taco trucks offer birria tacos.

Chefs traditionally dip corn tortillas in the stew broth, add cheese and the stewed meat, fold the tortilla in half, and fry it on a griddle, serving it alongside a portion of the stew consume for dipping. The combination of flavors, along with fresh onion and cilantro, is simply out of this world. While this sloppy joe recipe isn’t an authentic version of birria, those enticing flavors inspired me to create it.

What are sloppy joes?

Sloppy joes have been a staple in American cuisine for decades. They are sandwiches typically served on a bun, made with ground meat cooked in a tomato-based chili sauce. Differing from hamburgers, sloppy joes are considered loose meat sandwiches, as the meat is not pressed and shaped into a patty. Their popularity stems from their affordability and heartiness, with ground beef generally costing less per pound than steak, making a piled-high sandwich quite filling. There are countless variations of sloppy joes; some recipes include fresh onions and green peppers, while others dating back to the 1950s recommend adding cream of mushroom soup. However, the key ingredients in most classic recipes remain ground meat, ketchup, tomato sauce or paste, and chili sauce, chili powder, or BBQ sauce.

Ingredients

This recipe for sloppy joes has a Latin twist. Instead of using ketchup, which is often high in sugar, this sauce is enhanced with dried chiles and Mexican spices that contribute to a rich broth. Additionally, cooking this homemade sloppy joe recipe on the grill introduces a delightful smoky flavor.

• Ground Beef: I prefer an 80% meat to 20% fat blend for more flavor, but feel free to use leaner options or ground turkey.
• White Onion
• Ancho Pepper: These dried peppers can usually be found in the Mexican food aisle.
• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic is best, but garlic powder can also be substituted.
• Bay Leaf
• Kosher Salt
• Ground Cumin
• Mexican Oregano: Available in the dry spices aisle or the Mexican food section.
• Cayenne Pepper
• Beef Broth
• Quesadilla Cheese: A white cheese that melts wonderfully. Alternatively, Oaxaca cheese or Monterey jack can be used.
• Hamburger Buns: Any burger bun of your preference will work; I particularly like brioche buns.
• Cilantro

See the full recipe card below for servings and a complete list of ingredients.

How to cook sloppy joes

You can prepare this recipe on the stovetop, but I prefer cooking it on the grill. Cooking over a charcoal or pellet grill imparts a wonderful woodfire flavor that adds depth.

1. STEP ONE: In a large skillet on the grill or stovetop over medium heat, brown a pound of ground beef for about 8-10 minutes. Drain off any excess fat.
2. STEP TWO: Add 1/4 cup diced onion, dried chiles, garlic, bay leaf, spices, and 1 1/2 cups beef broth to the skillet. Reduce the grill temperature to low, close the grill lid, and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
3. STEP THREE: Remove the ancho chiles from the skillet, placing them in a blender with 1/2 cup beef broth. Purée until smooth and press the mixture through a strainer back into the skillet, then cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.
4. STEP FOUR: Spread the meat mixture out evenly in the skillet and top with cheese. Close the grill lid and heat until the cheese melts, about 4-5 minutes.
5. STEP FIVE: Serve a generous portion onto a hamburger bun, sprinkle with cilantro and fresh onion, and add the top bun.

How to serve birria-inspired sloppy joes

Build each sloppy joe sandwich to order and serve them while they’re nice and hot. If there is leftover flavorful sauce in the pan, pour it into a bowl for dipping sandwiches. This is a crowd-pleaser, so feel free to double the batch if serving a large group. These go wonderfully with potato chips, tortilla chips, or French fries. Alternatively, you can serve the meat on tortillas or baked potatoes.

Storage

If you have leftover sloppy joes, it’s best to store the meat separately from the buns and toppings. Keep the sloppy joe mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, then stack it on hamburger buns or enjoy it plain. You can also freeze the cooked meat for up to six months.

Pro Pitmaster Tips

• Use 80/20 ground beef for more flavor and richness.
• Incorporate dried chiles to add authentic Latin flavors to the sauce.
• Blend and strain the rehydrated chiles for the best texture.