Molletes de Birria (Open Bean and Birria Toasts)
Toasted rolls spread with refried beans and shredded birria, then grilled under melted cheese and topped with pico de gallo.
Made with Fresh pico de gallo and Birria adobo and consomme and Refried beans (frijoles refritos). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time3 hr 15
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £3.69 a head
- Oven160°C (140°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 160°C (140°C fan). Put the beef and salt in a casserole with 400 ml of your ready made birria adobo and consomme (see the base recipe) and the water. Cover and cook for 2 hours 30 minutes until the beef shreds.
150 min - 2
Shred the beef and moisten it with a few spoonfuls of broth.
- 3
Heat the grill to high. Toast the cut sides of the rolls under the grill for 2 minutes.
2 min - 4
Warm the refried beans until steaming hot all the way through, then spread them thickly over the toasted rolls. Top with the beef and the cheese.
- 5
Grill for 3 to 4 minutes until the cheese is melted and speckled.
4 min - 6
Spoon over your ready made pico de gallo (see the base recipe) and serve with lime wedges and cups of warm broth.
Tips
- Use rolls with a firm crust, such as bolillos or small baguettes, so the toast holds up under the toppings.
- Spread the beans right to the edges to stop the bread burning.
- Grill, do not bake, to get the cheese bubbling on top.
- Pico de gallo needs to be fresh. Spoon it on right at the table.
Storing and freezing
Eat straight away. Keep the beef in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
What are molletes?
Molletes are a Mexican breakfast of split bread rolls spread with refried beans, topped with cheese, grilled and finished with pico de gallo. Adding birria makes a heartier version.
Can I make them gluten free?
Use gluten free rolls. The beans, cheese and pico de gallo are naturally gluten free, but check labels.
Can I prep them ahead?
Assemble up to the cheese stage and chill for a few hours, then grill just before serving.
More made with fresh pico de gallo
Totopos con Guacamole y Pico de Gallo (Chips with Guacamole and Fresh Salsa)
GFDFEFEnsalada de Garbanzos y Aguacate con Cebolla Encurtida (Mexican Chickpea Salad)
VGVDFPescado Zarandeado con Tortillas (Chipotle Grilled Butterflied Fish)
DFEFNFAlambre de Pollo con Pimientos y Queso (Chicken Alambre on Tortillas)
EFNFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.