Quesabirria Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Birria is a traditional savory Mexican stew.  It originated in the Mexican state of Jalisco when the locals found a way to make the tough goat meat tender and delicious.  Goat were plentiful, brought over from Spain by the Conquistadors, who snubbed the tough goat meat.  To us, the best way to enjoy birria is to remove the meat from the broth, or consommé, heap the meat on a taco, burrito…or grilled cheese sandwich and use the incredibly flavorful broth for dipping.

Things to know:

What is birria meat made of?

Traditionally goat meat is used, but beef and lamb is frequently used.

What is so special about birria tacos?

Beyond the incredible flavor of the meat that has been slow cooked for hours in a rich, generously spiced broth, the resultant consommé provides the perfect dipping sauce for your taco (or whatever else you might put the birria meat on).

What does the word “birria” mean in Spanish?/Why is it called birria?

The word birria means “something of little value” or “something unpleasant” referring to the way the Conquistadors felt about goat meat.  Their loss…

What is white American cheese?

It is the same as regular American cheese, but is white vice yellow due to the fact that it does not contain annatto or other food colorings that gives “regular” American cheese it’s yellow color.

Why is white American cheese so good?

Some find that the lack of annatto or other food colorings gives white American cheese gives the cheese a slightly cleaner or more appealing taste.

What is the secret to the best grilled cheese sandwich?

In our humble opinion, a number of things:  a good quality sourdough bread, perfect toasting yielding a crispy golden brown exterior, and inclusion of a good melty cheese such as American, white American or chihuahua.