Birria Quesa Spring Rolls are a unique twist on the popular birria quesa tacos, where the savory, tender birria beef is rolled in crispy spring roll wrappers instead of tortillas. These spring rolls capture all the flavor of birria tacos but offer a fun new way to enjoy them. The meat is slow-cooked in a rich and flavorful broth, then stuffed inside spring roll wrappers with cheese, fried until golden, and served with a side of the rich dipping sauce. The result is a crispy, cheesy, and flavorful dish perfect for any gathering.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
For the Birria:
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7 arbol chiles, trimmed and de-seeded
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3 chipotle chiles, trimmed and de-seeded
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3 guajillo chiles, trimmed and de-seeded
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2 cups hot water
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2 lbs beef stewing meat
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1 onion, diced
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1 head garlic (about 10 cloves), peeled
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3 tomatoes, quartered
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1 tsp cracked black pepper
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2 sprigs fresh oregano
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½ tsp dried oregano
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½ tsp cumin
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½ tsp coriander
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¼ tsp cinnamon
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¼ tsp clove
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3 bay leaves
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1 tsp red vinegar
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2 cups beef or chicken broth
For the Spring Rolls:
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Spring roll wrappers
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Chihuahua cheese (or any melting cheese)
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Diced onion
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Diced cilantro
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Oil for frying
For Dipping Sauce:
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Birria broth (with onions and cilantro added)
Directions
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Prepare the Birria: Toast the dried chiles in a dry pan for a few minutes, then add them to hot water to steep. In a large pot, sear the beef stewing meat. Remove and set aside. Sauté onions and garlic in the same pot, then add tomatoes and cook. Add the toasted chiles, herbs, spices, vinegar, and broth to the pot. Bring to a simmer, blend the mixture until smooth, and then cook the meat in the sauce at low heat for about 3 hours until the beef is tender. Shred the beef and set aside.
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Prepare the Spring Rolls: Soak the spring roll wrappers, then fill each with cheese and shredded birria meat. Roll them up and seal with a little water.
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Fry the Spring Rolls: Heat oil in a frying pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry the spring rolls for about 3 minutes until golden brown and crispy on all sides.
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Serve: Cut the spring rolls on a bias and serve them with the reserved birria broth as a dipping sauce, garnished with chopped onions and cilantro.
Nutrients
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Calories: 162 kcal (per spring roll)
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Carbohydrates: 3g
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Protein: 11g
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Fat: 12g
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Saturated Fat: 5g
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Sodium: 213mg
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Potassium: 206mg
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Fiber: 1g
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Sugar: 1g
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Vitamin A: 346 IU
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Vitamin C: 3mg
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Calcium: 26mg
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Iron: 1mg
The Heart of Birria: The Flavorful Slow-Cooked Beef
The key to these delicious spring rolls is the birria filling, which is made by slow-cooking beef stewing meat in a rich broth filled with aromatic spices and chiles. The process begins with toasting dried chiles—such as arbol, chipotle, and guajillo—infusing them with smoky and spicy flavors. These chiles are then steeped in hot water to create a deep, flavorful base for the broth.
In the pot, the beef is seared to create a rich, savory crust, then slowly simmered with onions, garlic, tomatoes, oregano, cumin, cinnamon, and bay leaves. The mixture is simmered for several hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the beef to become tender enough to shred. The addition of vinegar adds a tangy depth to the sauce, creating a balanced and complex flavor profile. Once the meat is fully cooked and tender, it’s shredded into juicy, flavorful pieces that form the base of the spring roll filling.
Creating the Perfect Spring Roll
To bring these birria flavors into a new form, the shredded beef is wrapped in spring roll wrappers along with a generous amount of melted cheese. The choice of cheese is crucial for creating the perfect melt. Chihuahua cheese is often used for its excellent melting properties and mild flavor, making it an ideal choice for these spring rolls. However, any cheese that melts well, like mozzarella or Monterey Jack, would also work well.
Once the wrappers are soaked in warm water and softened, they are filled with a mixture of cheese and shredded birria beef. After rolling, the wrappers are sealed with a little water to ensure they stay intact during the frying process. The rolling technique ensures that each spring roll is filled with enough of the savory beef and gooey cheese, offering a flavorful bite in every piece.
Frying the Spring Rolls to Golden Perfection
The final step in this recipe is frying the spring rolls to crispy, golden perfection. Frying them at 350°F (175°C) for about 3 minutes ensures that the spring rolls become perfectly crisp on the outside, while the cheese inside melts beautifully, creating a gooey, savory filling. The high heat helps the spring rolls achieve the ideal texture: crispy on the outside, with a soft and cheesy interior.
The golden exterior provides a satisfying crunch, while the cheese and tender birria beef create a delightful contrast in texture. The combination of these elements makes each spring roll a perfect bite.
Dipping Sauce: The Rich Birria Broth
No birria dish would be complete without its signature dipping sauce, and these spring rolls are no exception. The rich birria broth, reserved from the slow-cooked beef, is the ideal dipping sauce. The broth is packed with the flavors of the chiles, spices, and beef, making it a perfect accompaniment for the crispy spring rolls. By adding a bit of chopped onion and cilantro, you can further enhance the freshness and brightness of the dipping sauce, adding balance to the richness of the beef and cheese inside the spring rolls.
The dipping sauce not only adds moisture and flavor but also complements the crispy spring rolls, giving them that signature birria experience. The combination of the crunchy exterior and the dipping sauce, made from the same flavorful broth that cooked the beef, creates a perfect harmony of textures and flavors.
Serving Suggestions
Birria Quesa Spring Rolls are perfect for serving as an appetizer or party snack. The crispy, cheesy rolls are sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering, from casual get-togethers to more festive occasions like Cinco de Mayo or other celebrations. The spring rolls are easy to prepare in large batches, making them perfect for feeding a crowd.
Serve the spring rolls alongside the dipping sauce for an interactive experience, allowing guests to dip their spring rolls into the flavorful broth. You can also pair the spring rolls with sides like guacamole, salsa, or a light salad for a well-rounded meal. If you want to make the dish a little heartier, serve the spring rolls alongside some Mexican rice or beans for a complete meal.
Health Considerations
While Birria Quesa Spring Rolls are undeniably delicious, they are also rich in flavor and calories, especially due to the cheese and frying process. The shredded beef provides a good source of protein, and the chiles and spices offer antioxidants and vitamins. However, the frying step adds extra calories and fat.
To make the dish a bit lighter, you can try baking the spring rolls instead of frying them. While the texture may not be quite as crispy, baking offers a healthier alternative. You could also reduce the amount of cheese or use a lower-fat cheese option to lighten up the filling without sacrificing too much flavor.
Why Birria Quesa Spring Rolls Are Perfect for Any Occasion
These spring rolls are a unique and fun take on traditional birria quesa tacos. They bring the same delicious flavors of slow-cooked birria beef and melted cheese but in a convenient, bite-sized format that’s perfect for dipping and sharing. The crispy exterior, savory beef, and gooey cheese make these spring rolls irresistible, and they’re sure to become a hit at your next gathering.
Whether you’re hosting a party, attending a potluck, or looking for a fun snack, Birria Quesa Spring Rolls are an excellent choice. They offer a new and exciting way to enjoy birria, with a crispy twist that everyone will love. With their bold, savory flavors and satisfying textures, these spring rolls will quickly become a favorite in your recipe repertoire.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Birria Quesa Spring Rolls are a fun, creative twist on the traditional birria quesa tacos, offering a crispy, cheesy, and savory bite that’s perfect for any occasion. The combination of tender birria beef, melted cheese, and crispy spring roll wrappers creates a unique flavor experience, while the rich birria broth dipping sauce adds the perfect finishing touch. Whether served as an appetizer or a main dish, these spring rolls are sure to impress your guests and satisfy your cravings for bold, delicious flavors.