Birria Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

by Yvette Marquez on December 29, 2023 (updated April 15, 2024)

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If you love French dip sandwiches and quesabirria tacos, you’re going to love Birria Grilled Cheese Sandwiches! Butter-griddled bread, gooey, melted pepper jack cheese, and tender birria, with consommé on the side for dipping, trust me: there’s plenty to love.

closeup shot of a hand holding a birria grilled cheese sandwich that has been dipped in the consomme.

After all the hullabaloo of the holidays, I’m always eager for a cooking break. Don’t get me wrong — I love making dozens of tamales, batch after batch of biscochitos, and all the other noche buena favorites. But y’all? By the time Santa is back at the North Pole, I’m pooped. That’s where batch cooking comes in handy!

One of my absolute favorite things to make when I’m tired is my succulent birria de res. Despite yielding a giant batch of perfectly fork-tender, flavorful shreds of beefy goodness in an equally delicious broth, the effort involved is minimal. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting!

Then, when your beef is ready, you have tons of options — turn it into crispy birria flautas one night, stuff it into cheesy birria quesadillas the next, give your instant noodles a glow-up with birria ramen, or make these yummy birria sandwiches. No matter what you do with it, the results are certain to be delicious.

For more easy batch-cooking recipes, check out my slow cooker brisket, easy chicken tinga, or cola carnitas next!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Birria Sandwich Recipe

A friend of mine told me about the Disneyland grilled cheese made with birria and cheddar, and I’ve been obsessed with making it ever since. Here’s why you’re gonna flip for this sandwich recipe:

Made With Only 4 Ingredients – Tired moms, rejoice! If you’ve got the birria in the slow cooker, or leftovers in the fridge or freezer all you need is bread, cheese, and butter. No grocery trip required!
Fusion at its Finest – Take two classic comfort foods from two of my favorite cuisines, then mash them up into one sandwich. Seriously, amigos. This beef grilled cheese is a must-try!
Leftovers Made New – When you make a dish as versatile as birria, you have tons of options of what to do with the extras. This better-than-Disneyland grilled cheese recipe is high up on my list of favorites!

flat lay shot of ingredients needed to make birria grilled cheese sandwiches.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Just 4 ingredients stand between you and the birria grilled cheese sandwich of your dreams. Here’s what to grab:

Sliced Sourdough Bread – If you want a beef birria toasted cheese, Disneyland-style, tangy sourdough is the way to go. That said, feel free to swap in the sandwich bread of your choice!
Pepper Jack Cheese Slices – Unlike pre-shredded cheese, cheese slices tend to melt more uniformly. They’re a great time-saver! Feel free to swap in the cheese of your choice (e.g. sharp cheddar, mild queso quesadilla, or Colby).
Leftover Birria de Res and Consomme – The secret is the au jus, I mean the consommé — It’s the gift that keeps on giving!
Butter – I like to use softened salted butter to swipe on the bread before grilling to give it that gorgeous, golden, crunchy exterior. If all your holiday baking depleted your butter reserves, not to worry — mayonnaise makes an excellent substitute.

How To Make Birria Grilled Cheese

Preheat a skillet to medium-high heat.

Butter one side of each slice of bread.

spreading butter on a slice of sourdough bread.

Working one or two at a time, add bread, buttered side down into the skillet. While it is cooking, top with half cup shredded birria, slices of pepper jack cheese, and another slice of bread, buttered side up.

sourdough bread with the buttered side down on the skillet and two slices of pepperjack cheese and a scoop of birria meat on top.

Cook over medium-low heat for 5-7 minutes; then, flip over the sandwich and cook another 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown.

Serve with leftover juices from the slow cooker for dipping.

golden, gooey birria grilled cheese sandwich on a rectangular wooden plate next to a bowl of consomme.

Optional Variations

Here are some tempting variations to tailor your grilled cheese to your pantry contents, because this recipe is all about ease:

Bread Choices: Sourdough is known for its tangy flavor and sturdy texture, perfect for holding up to the juicy birria. However, if you’re in the mood for something different, try a hearty whole grain bread for a nutty flavor, or a soft brioche for a buttery, slightly sweet twist. For a crispier exterior, ciabatta is an excellent choice.
Cheese Variations: Pepperjack brings a delightful kick to the sandwich, but don’t hesitate to experiment with other cheeses. Oaxaca cheese will lend a traditional Mexican touch, or, if you can’t find it, mozzarella is a great option. You can also try mild, medium, or sharp cheddar, regular or smoked gouda, creamy dreamy havarti, or pretty much any other cheese you have on hand!
Spice It Up or Down: Add some sliced fresh jalapeños, a handful of escabeche, or a dash of hot sauce for an extra zesty experience. For the spice-sensitive or the littles, opt for a less spicy cheese like Monterey Jack.
Extra Toppings: Consider adding caramelized onions for a sweet contrast that gives off patty melt or French dip vibes.
Alternative Cooking Fats: While butter gives a classic golden crust to the bread, you can also use olive oil for a lighter option or even mayonnaise for a surprisingly crispy and flavorful exterior.

wooden cutting board with two halves of a birria grilled cheese sandwich next to a jalapeño and a bowl of consomme.

Expert Tips

Butter is Better: Butter your bread generously for that crispy, golden crust. You can also consider seasoning your butter with a bit of garlic powder or herbs for an extra flavor boost.
Perfect Assembly: Layer the cheese both below and above the birria meat. This ensures that every bite is a perfect blend of meat and melted cheese and helps hold the sandwich together.
Control the Heat: Cook your sandwich over medium heat. Too high, and your bread will burn before the cheese melts; too low, and you won’t get that desirable crispy exterior. Your pan matters, too. I tend to prefer my cast iron skillet for making grilled cheese.
Don’t Overstuff: While it’s tempting to load up on the fillings, too much meat or cheese can destroy the physical integrity of your sandwich.
Rest Before Serving: Let the sandwich rest for a minute or two after cooking to allow the cheese to set slightly, ensuring the sandwich doesn’t fall apart when you cut into it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cheese goes with birria?

For this grilled cheese sandwich, any melty cheese will do! Feel free to have fun experimenting with different varieties to find your favorite. Spoiler Alert: Mine is pepper jack.

What kind of meat is birria made of?

That depends. My recipe is made with beef, but birria can also be made with lamb, goat, or pork!

More Easy Dinner Recipes

If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #muybuenocooking.