Birria Consome is a delicious and savory dipping sauce that's perfect for tacos. This rich birria sauce is a versatile Mexican condiment that also works as the base for a delicious stew. And it's ready in just 30 minutes!
Consome for tacos has become popular in the last few years thanks to viral birria recipes on Instagram and TikTok. However, it has been a staple in Mexican cuisine for years! Ladle a hearty helping into a bowl and slurp it like soup or use it as a dipping sauce for your favorite foods.
Once you learn how to make this birria recipe, try it with more Mexican-inspired food like Chicken Birria Quesatacos, Chicken Birria Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Birria Ramen, and Quesabirria Tacos next.
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Ingredients for Consome Sauce
Consome is a combination of smoky, sweet, spicy flavors that elevates any dish you add it to. Guajillo chiles and chile de arbol infuse a subtle heat, while the roma tomatoes and aromatic spices create a rich and savory broth.
- Guajillo chiles
- Chile de arbol
- Roma tomato
- Garlic
- Yellow onion
- Water
Seasoning:
- Chicken bouillon (substitute beef bouillon)
- Caldo de tomato
- Cinnamon stick, (substitute ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon)
- Bay leaves
- Ground cumin
- Oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Consome
Add chiles, tomato, garlic, and onion to a large stockpot. Then submerge them with water and bring to a boil for about 10 minutes, or until all of the vegetables and chiles are softened. Remove the veggies from the heat and allow them to cool for a few minutes.
Once they have cooled down, add all of the chiles, tomato, garlic, and onion to a blender with about 1 cup of the water it boiled in. Reserve the remaining water for straining.
Blend the sauce on high for 3-5 minutes, until everything is pretty smooth.
Pour the mixture directly into the pot with the remaining water from the boil. Alternatively, strain it through a fine mesh strainer for an even smoother texture.
Add the boiling liquid from the pot as-needed to help the sauce mixture get through the fine mesh strainer. If the sauce is still too thick, add water to get your desired consistency.
Bring the birria sauce to a low simmer, then add in the seasonings including the chicken bouillon, caldo de tomato, the cinnamon stick, bay leaves, oregano, and cumin. Remove the cinnamon stick after the first five minutes, and allow the sauce to continue to cook over low heat for an additional 20 minutes.
Serve with onions and fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and eat with your favorite birria tacos, taquitos, or add beef and additional toppings to enjoy as beef broth in a soup!
Hint: Allow the consome to simmer at a low heat after adding the seasonings. This enhances the flavors and ensures that the spices infuse into the broth. Also, remember to remove the cinnamon stick after the first 5 minutes to prevent an overpowering cinnamon taste.
Substitutions & Variations
- Yellow Onions - Use white onion instead for a milder flavor.
- Dried Chiles - This recipe works with any variety of dried Mexican chiles. You can swap either guajillo or arbol for ancho chiles.
- Birria Consome/Birria de res - Have time to spare? Season and sear a chuck roast over high heat with olive oil. Then let it simmer for about 3 hours with the consome. Use shredded beef and corn tortillas to make birria tacos to dip into the consome.
- Liquid - Instead of water and chicken or beef bouillon you can use chicken stock or beef stock.
Equipment
Use a large pot to boil the vegetables and later simmer the sauce. You will need a blender to combine the softened veggies after they have been boiled.
Storage
Once the consome has cooled to room temperature, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months.
Thaw frozen sauce in the fridge overnight. Reheat the sauce over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through.
Top Tip for the Best Consome
Allow the consome to rest for a bit after cooking. It tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had time to meld.
FAQ
What is consome?
Consome is the base of birria (a beef stew), made with tomatoes, dried chiles, garlic, and spices. You can also use it as a dipping sauce or marinade.
Can you drink birria consome?
The velvety smooth consistency of consome makes it easy to sip or slurp from a bowl, mug, or even a styrofoam cup.
What do you eat with consome?
Use consome as the base for beef birria, then you can make birria tacos. You can also add noodles to make birria ramen, add beans, or pour it over rice. It's also a delicious dipping sauce for everything from burritos to quesadillas.
Is consome spicy?
This recipe includes guajillo chiles and chile de arbol so it has a moderate heat. Adjust the spice level by adding more chile de arbol. Decrease the heat but maximize the flavor by removing the seeds. (Some remove the seeds entirely because sometimes they taste bitter.)
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this quick consome recipe:
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 Guajillo chiles remove stems and seeds
- 3 Chile de arbol remove stems and seeds (optional for spice)
- 1 whole Roma tomato
- 4 cloves Garlic
- ½ Yellow onion
- 4 cups Water to cover dried chiles
Seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons Chicken bouillon (substitute beef bouillon)
- 1 tablespoon Caldo de tomato
- 1 whole Cinnamon stick (substitute ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon)
- 2 whole Bay leaves
- 2 teaspoons Ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Oregano ground
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add your chiles, tomato, garlic, and onion to a large stockpot. Cover them with water and bring to a boil for about 10 minutes, or until all of the vegetables and chiles are softened.
- Remove them from the heat and allow them to cool for a few minutes. Once they have cooled down, add all of the chiles, tomato, garlic, and onion to a blender with about 1 cup of the water it boiled in. Reserve the remaining water for straining.
- Blend the sauce on high for 3-5 minutes, until everything is pretty smooth. You can pour this mixture directly into the pot with the remaining water from the boil, or for an even smoother texture, strain it through a fine mesh strainer.
- Add the boiling liquid from the pot as-needed to help the sauce mixture get through the fine mesh strainer. If the sauce is still too thick, add water to get your desired consistency.
- Bring the birria sauce to a low simmer, and add in the seasonings including the chicken bouillon, caldo de tomato, the cinnamon stick, bay leaves, oregano, and cumin. Remove the cinnamon stick after the first five minutes, and allow the sauce to continue to simmer for 20 more minutes.
- Serve with onions and cilantro, a squeeze of lime,and eat with your favorite tacos, taquitos, or add beef and additional toppings to enjoy as a soup!
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Nutrition
Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.
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