Description
Birria Ramen with Tender Beef is a delicious fusion recipe combining rich, slow-simmered Mexican beef birria broth with classic Japanese ramen noodles. The tender beef chuck roast and shank cook low and slow in a smoky, spicy chile-infused broth, creating a deep, flavorful base that perfectly complements the chewy ramen noodles. Garnished with fresh cilantro, radishes, avocado, cheese, and lime, this comforting dish offers a unique twist on traditional ramen that meat lovers will adore.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Broth
- 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into large chunks
- 1 lb beef shank
- 1 onion, quartered
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 dried guajillo chiles, stems and seeds removed
- 2 dried ancho chiles, stems and seeds removed
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 cups water
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Ramen and Garnishes
- 8 oz ramen noodles
- 2 cups chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- 1 cup diced onion (for garnish)
- 1 cup sliced radishes (for garnish)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (Mexican blend or queso fresco)
- 1 avocado, sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the beef: In a large pot, add the beef chuck roast and beef shank. Season generously with salt and pepper to enhance the meat’s flavor as it cooks.
- Add aromatics: Add the quartered onion and minced garlic to the pot with the beef to infuse the broth with savory depth.
- Toast chiles: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the guajillo and ancho chiles for about 2-3 minutes until they become fragrant, which intensifies their smoky flavor.
- Make chile sauce: Transfer the toasted chiles to a blender. Add the chipotle pepper in adobo, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, and 1 cup of beef broth. Blend the ingredients until smooth, creating a rich chile sauce.
- Combine and simmer: Pour the blended chile mixture over the beef in the pot. Add the remaining beef broth and water, stirring to combine all ingredients well.
- Cook the beef: Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low. Cover and simmer for 2-3 hours, allowing the beef to become fork-tender. Stir occasionally and add more water if necessary to maintain the liquid level.
- Cook ramen noodles: In a separate pot, bring water to a boil. Add ramen noodles and cook according to package instructions, typically 3-4 minutes, until just tender.
- Prepare noodles: Drain the noodles and rinse under cold water to stop further cooking. Set aside.
- Shred beef: Remove the beef from the pot and let cool slightly. Shred the meat using two forks, discarding any large pieces of fat for a lean finishing touch.
- Strain broth: Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl or pot to remove solids and achieve a clear, flavorful liquid.
- Reheat broth: Return the strained broth to the pot and bring back to a simmer. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed for balance.
- Assemble bowls: In serving bowls, place a portion of cooked ramen noodles at the base.
- Add beef and broth: Top the noodles with the shredded beef, then ladle the hot birria broth generously over the top.
- Garnish: Add chopped cilantro, diced onion, sliced radishes, shredded cheese, and avocado slices on top for texture, freshness, and vibrant flavor.
- Serve with lime: Provide lime wedges on the side for diners to squeeze fresh juice over their bowls, adding brightness and acidity.
Notes
- You can adjust the number of dried chiles to control spice level according to preference.
- For a richer broth, consider adding some beef marrow bones along with the meat.
- Leftover broth makes an excellent base for sauces or soups.
- Cheese garnish is optional and can be omitted for a dairy-free version.
- If you prefer spicier ramen, add more chipotle pepper or include some chili flakes in the garnish.
- Make sure to remove seeds from dried chiles to avoid excessive bitterness.
- Rinsing noodles after cooking prevents them from overcooking and becoming mushy.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-Japanese Fusion
Keywords: birria ramen, beef ramen, fusion recipe, Mexican birria, ramen noodles, slow simmered beef, spicy beef broth
