Smoked Birria Ramen

How to Make Smoked Birria Ramen: The Ultimate Flavor-Packed Recipe

Birria tacos have taken social media by storm, and now it’s time to take things up a notch with this Smoked Birria Ramen recipe.

This dish combines the rich, slow-cooked flavors of traditional Birria with the comfort of instant ramen noodles, creating a flavorful Birria broth that is both bold and comforting. Whether you’re a fan of beef Birria or love experimenting with new takes on a classic Birria recipe, this Smoked Birria Ramen will quickly become a favorite in your household.

Let’s dive into everything you need to know about making this mouthwatering dish.

What is Authentic Birria?

Traditional Birria is a slow-cooked meat stew that originates from Jalisco, Mexico. It’s known for its deeply flavorful broth, which is packed with chili peppers, garlic, and Mexican oregano.

Traditionally, Birria is made with goat meat, but variations using beef Birria or even lamb have become increasingly popular.

The dish is typically served as a stew with tender meat and flavorful broth or used as a filling for Birria tacos. Over time, this beloved dish has evolved, leading to creative new recipes such as Birria ramen.

Different Ways to Make Birria

There are several methods for preparing a delicious Birria recipe, depending on the equipment you have:

• Dutch Oven: The traditional way to make Birria is in a Dutch oven over low heat, allowing the flavors to develop over several hours.
• Instant Pot: For a quicker cooking process, an Instant Pot can significantly cut down cooking times while still producing tender, flavorful Birria meat.
• Slow Cooker: Another easy option is to let the meat braise in a slow cooker on low heat for several hours, resulting in fall-apart tender meat.
• Smoker: Smoking the meat before braising adds an extra depth of flavor, making this smoked Birria ramen recipe stand out.

Each method yields a delicious Birria stew that can be enjoyed in various ways.

Different Ways to Enjoy Birria

Birria is incredibly versatile. Here are some of the most popular ways to enjoy this flavorful dish:

• Birria Tacos: Crispy, cheesy tacos dipped in leftover Birria broth for extra flavor.
• Birria Grilled Cheese: A gooey, melty grilled cheese sandwich infused with slow-cooked Birria meat.
• Birria Cheesesteak: A Mexican twist on the classic cheesesteak, loaded with Birria meat and Oaxaca cheese.
• Birria Sliders: Mini sandwiches packed with shredded Birria meat and served with a side of Birria sauce for dipping.

While these dishes are all incredible, Birria ramen takes things to another level by infusing ramen broth with the deep, smoky flavors of Birria stew.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Birria Ramen

To make this mouthwatering Smoked Birria Ramen, gather the following ingredients:

• 3-4 pound beef chuck roast
• 3 tbsp SPG blend (Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic)
• Ramen noodles
• 1/2 cup Shredded Oaxaca cheese
• Medium white onion, diced
• 1 bunch Fresh cilantro
• 4 Lime wedges
• 2 cinnamon sticks, for braising
• 2 bay leaves, for braising

Braising Liquid Ingredients

• 1 large white onion, quartered
• 2 cups of water
• 1 cup beef broth or vegetable broth
• 3 Roma tomatoes, cut in half
• 5 garlic cloves
• 3 ancho chiles
• 3 guajillo chiles
• 4 chipotle peppers in adobo

How to Make Smoked Birria Ramen

Step 1: Prepare and Smoke the Meat

Cut the chuck roast into 2×2-inch cubes. This will help speed up the cooking process by cooking smaller cuts of meat.

Use yellow mustard as a binder to help the seasoning stick, then generously season on all sides with SPG blend.

Preheat your smoker to 250° F and use cherry wood for a sweet, smoky flavor.

Smoke the meat for 3-4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 175°F and a nice bark has formed.

Step 2: Make the Birria Sauce

In a large pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.

Add quartered white onion, Roma tomatoes, garlic cloves, ancho chiles, and guajillo peppers. Boil them for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.

Transfer everything to a blender along with 4 chipotle peppers in adobo and the boiling water. Blend until completely smooth.

Step 3: Braise the Smoked Meat

Remove the smoked meat from the smoker then place it in a Dutch oven.

Pour the blended Birria sauce over the top of the meat making sure it’s full submerged in the sauce. This will allow the meat to braise in the liquid and become fall apart tender.

Add 2 cinnamon sticks and 2 bay leaves then cover the Dutch oven. Braise on low heat for 2-3 hours, or until the meat is tender and falls apart.

Step 4: Assemble the Birria Ramen

Cook the instant ramen noodles according to package instructions.

In a serving bowl, place a portion of cooked noodles. Add shredded beef, then ladle enough Birria broth to cover the noodles.

Top with some shredded Oaxaca cheese, diced onions, and fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side for an extra burst of flavor of lime juice.

Tips for the Best Smoked Birria Ramen

• Use cherry wood for smoking to enhance the natural sweetness of the beef Birria.
• Adjust spice levels by adding more or fewer chipotle peppers and chili powder.
• Store leftover Birria broth in an airtight container to use later for other dishes like Birria tacos.
• For extra richness, add a soft-boiled egg to your ramen bowl.

Final Thoughts

This Smoked Birria Ramen recipe is the ultimate fusion of bold, smoky flavors and the comfort of ramen broth. Whether you’re a fan of traditional Birria or looking for a new way to enjoy slow-cooked meat, this dish is a must-try. Plus, it’s a guaranteed hit on social media, so be sure to share your creation!

So grab your ingredients, fire up the smoker, and get ready to enjoy the most flavorful Birria ramen recipe you’ve ever tasted. Happy cooking!

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