Birria Grilled Cheese (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Shredded Beef

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 3 pounds chuck roast
03 - 1 tablespoon beef bouillon powder (or 1 bouillon cube)
04 - 1 can (28 ounces) red enchilada sauce

→ For the Sandwich

05 - ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick/113g), softened
06 - 20 slices Texas toast
07 - 1 medium white onion, finely diced
08 - 2½ cups queso fresco (305g)
09 - 2½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (282.5g)
10 - 2 teaspoons fresh cilantro, chopped

# Instructions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chuck roast and sear each side until nicely browned, about 3-5 minutes per side.
02 - Transfer the seared beef to a slow cooker. Sprinkle with bouillon powder and pour the enchilada sauce over top. Cover and cook on low for 10 hours, until the meat becomes tender enough to easily pull apart.
03 - Remove the cooked roast from the slow cooker. Using two forks, shred the meat completely. Return the shredded beef to the slow cooker and mix it with the cooking juices.
04 - Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat. Butter one side of each slice of Texas toast.
05 - Place bread slices butter-side down in the skillet. Layer each with ½ cup shredded beef, 1 tablespoon diced onion, ¼ cup queso fresco, ¼ cup mozzarella, and a sprinkle of cilantro. Top with another slice of bread, butter-side up.
06 - Lower heat to medium-low and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden. Carefully flip each sandwich and cook another 5-7 minutes until crispy and the cheese is completely melted. Remove with a spatula and serve hot.
07 - Serve sandwiches with a small bowl of the leftover cooking juices for dipping – this is the traditional way to enjoy birria!

# Notes:

01 - You can use store-bought or premade birria beef to reduce cooking time to about 20 minutes total.
02 - Don't rush the grilling process - the bread needs time to toast slowly so the cheeses inside fully melt.
03 - This recipe makes enough for 10 sandwiches, perfect for feeding a crowd or storing some beef for later meals.

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