birria pizza​

Imagine a dish that brings together the bold, spicy flavors of Birria Pizza​ with the cheesy, crispy goodness of pizza. That’s exactly what birria pizza is a mouthwatering fusion of Mexican and Italian cuisines. This viral sensation takes slow-cooked, flavorful birria de res and pairs it with a golden, cheesy pizza crust, often served with a side of rich, savory consommé for dipping.

From its roots in traditional Mexican birria tacos to its rise as a social media food trend, birria pizza has quickly become a favorite among food lovers. Whether you’re making it at home or looking for the best spots to try it, this guide covers everything you need to know.

What is Birria Pizza?

Origins of Birria: A Traditional Mexican Dish

To understand birria pizza, we need to start with birria itself. This slow-cooked, flavor-packed dish hails from Jalisco, Mexico. Traditionally made with goat meat (though beef is now more common), birria is stewed in a rich blend of dried chilies, tomatoes, garlic, and aromatic spices. The result? A tender, juicy meat that falls apart with every bite.

One of birria’s defining features is its accompanying broth, known as consommé, which is made by simmering the meat with its seasonings. This deep, reddish broth is often used for dipping, making it a perfect complement to tacos, quesadillas, and now, pizza.

How Birria Evolved into a Pizza Topping

The rise of quesabirria tacos cheesy, crispy tacos dipped in consommé paved the way for birria pizza. As food lovers experimented with different ways to enjoy birria, the idea of putting it on pizza took off. The combination of savory, slow-cooked meat, rich broth, and melted cheese quickly gained popularity, particularly on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

Instead of taco shells, this dish uses a crispy pizza crust as the base. Some variations use naan or tortillas for a thinner, crunchier bite, while others stick to traditional pizza dough for a chewier texture. No matter the base, the key to an unforgettable birria pizza is the juicy, spiced meat and a side of consommé for dipping.

Why Birria Pizza is Gaining Popularity

So, why has birria pizza taken the food world by storm? Here are a few reasons:

• Social Media Buzz – Viral videos showcasing cheese pulls and consommé dips have made this dish irresistible.
• Ultimate Comfort Food – The combination of crispy, cheesy, and juicy flavors is pure indulgence.
• Easy to Customize – You can tweak it with different meats, cheeses, and spice levels to suit your taste.
• Street Food Vibes at Home – It brings restaurant-quality flavors to your kitchen with a simple recipe.

Ingredients for Authentic Birria Pizza

When making birria pizza, using the right ingredients is key to capturing the bold, rich flavors of traditional birria while keeping the cheesy, crispy essence of pizza. Let’s break down what you need for the perfect homemade version.

Choosing the Best Meat for Birria Pizza

Traditional birria de res (beef birria) is made using tough cuts of meat that become tender after slow cooking. The most common choices include:

• Beef chuck roast – The best option for juicy, flavorful meat.
• Beef short ribs – Adds extra richness and tenderness.
• Lamb or goat – More traditional, but slightly gamey in flavor.

The Importance of Consommé in Birria Pizza

One of the things that sets birria pizza apart is the deep, rich consommé—a spiced broth created from the meat’s cooking juices. This flavorful liquid serves two major roles:

• It’s brushed onto the pizza crust before baking to infuse every bite with birria flavor.
• It’s served on the side for dipping, just like with quesabirria tacos.

To enhance the consommé, you’ll need a mix of dried chilies (such as guajillo and ancho), tomatoes, garlic, cinnamon, and cloves. These ingredients give it the signature smoky, slightly sweet, and spicy taste.

Essential Cheese and Toppings for the Perfect Flavor

What’s pizza without cheese? For birria pizza, go for cheeses that melt well and complement the savory beef:

• Oaxaca cheese – A traditional Mexican cheese with a perfect stretchy texture.
• Mozzarella – A widely available, mild option that melts beautifully.
• Monterey Jack – Slightly sharper and adds more depth to the flavor.

Other toppings to consider:

• Red onions and cilantro – Add freshness and balance.
• Pickled jalapeños – Give the pizza a nice kick.
• Mexican crema – Drizzle on top for a creamy finish.

How to Make Birria Pizza at Home

Ready to make your own birria pizza? Follow this step-by-step guide to create a crispy, cheesy, flavor-packed masterpiece.

Step 1: Preparing the Birria Meat

The secret to a great birria pizza lies in slow-cooking the meat until it’s fall-apart tender. Here’s how:

1. Toast dried chilies (guajillo, ancho, and chipotle) in a pan for a few seconds to release their oils.
2. Blend chilies with tomatoes, garlic, cloves, cinnamon, and vinegar to create a rich marinade.
3. Marinate the beef for at least 4 hours (overnight is even better!).
4. Slow cook in a pot or Instant Pot for 4–5 hours until the meat is tender.
5. Shred the beef and save the cooking liquid—this will be your consommé!

Step 2: Making the Rich and Flavorful Consommé

To take your birria pizza to the next level, the consommé needs to be deep, rich, and slightly spicy.

• Strain the cooking liquid to remove any chunks.
• Simmer it down to concentrate the flavors.
• Add extra seasoning (if needed) like salt, a splash of vinegar, or even a bit of lime juice for balance.

This consommé will be your dipping sauce and the secret ingredient for a crispy, flavorful crust!

Step 3: Assembling the Perfect Birria Pizza

Now for the fun part—building the pizza!

1. Brush the pizza dough with consommé to give it a smoky, spiced kick.
2. Add a layer of cheese (Oaxaca, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack).
3. Top with shredded birria meat—spread it evenly so every bite has flavor.
4. Sprinkle with onions, jalapeños, and extra cheese for added richness.

Step 4: Baking and Serving with Dipping Sauce

• Bake at 450°F (230°C) for 12-15 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
• Top with fresh cilantro and a drizzle of Mexican crema after baking.
• Serve hot with a bowl of consommé on the side—dip each bite for the ultimate experience!

Looking for another fun birria-inspired dish? Check out this delicious Birria Bombs Recipe on Tasty Meal Diary!

The Best Birria Pizza Recipes to Try

Whether you want a classic take or something with a twist, there’s a birria pizza recipe for you. Below are three delicious options that bring out the best in this flavorful dish.

Classic Birria Pizza Recipe (Traditional Beef)

This is the gold standard of birria pizza. It combines slow-cooked, tender beef birria, gooey cheese, and crispy pizza crust for an unforgettable bite.

Ingredients:

• Pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)
• Shredded beef birria (see Part 3 for preparation)
• Consommé (for brushing and dipping)
• 2 cups of Oaxaca or mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup chopped onions and cilantro
• Sliced pickled jalapeños (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C).
2. Roll out the pizza dough and brush a thin layer of consommé over it.
3. Sprinkle a generous layer of cheese before adding shredded birria meat.
4. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown.
5. Top with onions, cilantro, and jalapeños before serving with a side of consommé for dipping.

Vegan Birria Pizza: A Plant-Based Alternative

Craving the same rich taste but without meat? This vegan birria pizza swaps beef for jackfruit, creating a similar shredded texture while keeping all the flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 can of young jackfruit (drained and shredded)
• 2 dried guajillo chilies
• 1 Roma tomato, chopped
• ½ onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp cinnamon
• Vegan cheese (mozzarella-style works best)
• Pizza dough or naan

Instructions:

1. Blend guajillo chilies, tomato, onion, garlic, and spices into a smooth sauce.
2. Sauté the jackfruit with the sauce until tender and flavorful.
3. Follow the same steps as the classic birria pizza recipe, using jackfruit instead of beef.
4. Bake and serve with a vegan-friendly consommé substitute (made by simmering vegetable broth with extra spices).

Quesadilla-Style Birria Pizza by Guy Fieri

If you’re looking for something indulgent, this recipe takes inspiration from quesabirria tacos and turns it into a pizza-style quesadilla.

Ingredients:

• 2 large flour tortillas (instead of pizza dough)
• Shredded beef birria and consommé
• Mexican blend cheese (cheddar, Oaxaca, and mozzarella)
• Butter or oil for pan-frying

Instructions:

1. Heat a large skillet and place one tortilla down.
2. Add a layer of cheese and birria meat, then top with another tortilla.
3. Cook until golden brown on both sides, pressing down slightly.
4. Slice into wedges and serve with consommé for dipping.

Where to Find the Best Birria Pizza

Not in the mood to cook? No worries! Birria pizza has become so popular that you can find it at restaurants, food trucks, and even for delivery. Here’s where to look.

Top Birria Pizza Spots in San Antonio and Beyond

Some of the best birria pizza can be found in San Antonio, Los Angeles, and Chicago, where authentic Mexican food is everywhere. If you’re in these cities, check out these top-rated spots:

1. La Birrieria – San Antonio, TX

• Known for its extra crispy birria pizza with a side of rich consommé.
• Customers love the cheese pull and smoky beef flavor.

2. Birrieria Gonzalez – Los Angeles, CA

• A food truck legend that serves birria tacos and pizza together.
• Their pizza features a thicker crust, drenched in consommé for added flavor.

3. Birria Kings – Chicago, IL

• Offers a quesadilla-style birria pizza loaded with cheese.
• One of the most popular late-night birria spots in the city.

If you’re in any of these cities, these places should be at the top of your list.

Best Places to Order Birria Pizza Online

Can’t find birria pizza near you? Some restaurants ship frozen versions nationwide, so you can enjoy this delicious fusion dish at home.

• Goldbelly – Delivers birria pizza from top-rated restaurants across the U.S.
• Tio Pepe’s Birria To-Go – Specializes in pre-made frozen birria pizza that you bake at home.
• Local Mexican Markets – Some markets carry frozen birria or pre-made dough for easy preparation.

Birria Pizza Variations and Creative Twists

If you love birria pizza but want to mix things up, there are plenty of ways to customize it. Whether you’re craving extra crunch, more spice, or a whole new take, these variations will take your pizza game to the next level.

Birria Pizza with Naan Instead of Dough

Looking for a quick and easy version of birria pizza? Swap traditional pizza dough for naan bread to create a crispy, flavorful base in half the time.

Why Use Naan?

• Saves time – No need to roll out or prep dough.
• Extra crispy – The slightly charred edges add a nice crunch.
• Perfect for individual servings – Great for small-batch cooking.

How to Make It:

1. Brush naan with consommé to infuse the smoky birria flavor.
2. Add cheese, shredded birria, and toppings as usual.
3. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes or until the cheese melts.

Spicy Birria Pizza with Extra Jalapeños and Hot Sauce

If you love heat, take your birria pizza up a notch by adding extra spice and smoky flavors.

Ways to Add More Heat:

🔥 Pickled jalapeños – Adds tangy heat without overpowering the flavor.
🔥 Chipotle peppers in adobo – Blend into the consommé for a smoky kick.
🔥 Hot sauce drizzle – Try Tapatío, Valentina, or homemade chili oil.
🔥 Crushed red pepper flakes – Sprinkle on top for an extra punch.

For the ultimate spicy experience, mix hot sauce into the consommé and use it for dipping!

Birria Pizza Tacos: A Unique Fusion of Two Favorites

Can’t decide between birria pizza and birria tacos? Why not have both?

What Are Birria Pizza Tacos?

This fun twist combines the crispy texture of pizza with the handheld convenience of tacos. Instead of traditional taco shells, pizza slices are folded like tacos and dipped into consommé!

How to Make Them:

1. Use a thin crust pizza – The crispier, the better!
2. Add a generous amount of birria and cheese to each slice.
3. Fold each slice in half like a taco and serve with a side of consommé.

FAQs

Got questions about birria pizza? Here are some common ones people ask before making or trying this incredible dish.

What is birria pizza made of?

Birria pizza is made with shredded birria meat, rich consommé, melted cheese, and a crispy pizza crust. Traditional versions use beef, but lamb, goat, or even jackfruit can be used for different variations.

How do you eat birria pizza with consommé?

The best way to enjoy birria pizza is by dipping each slice into consommé before taking a bite. This adds moisture, spice, and extra smoky flavors to every bite, just like with quesabirria tacos.

Can you make birria pizza with store-bought birria?

Yes! If you’re short on time, pre-made birria from grocery stores or Mexican markets works great. Just be sure to heat it up and use the leftover broth as your dipping consommé.

What is the best cheese for birria pizza?

The best cheeses for birria pizza are Oaxaca, mozzarella, and Monterey Jack because they melt well and have a mild flavor that lets the birria shine. For a richer taste, try a mix of these cheeses!

If you’re looking for more tasty recipes, check out our collection of delicious meal ideas!