Birria Consome (Birria Sauce for dipping)

Name: Birria Consome (Birria Sauce for dipping)
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
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); 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

by Tamara J. on Jan 23, 2024 (updated Sep 19, 2024)

Jump to Recipe

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.

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.

chiles, tomato, garlic, and onion submerged in water in a large stockpot

ingredients for consome added to blender before being blended

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.

overhead view of a pot containing birria consome sauce

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!

a bowl of birria consome beside a large pot containing more and a ladle spoon beside it

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.

peppers. onions, and tomatoes coming to a boil in a large stockpot

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.)