Papas con Birria (Birria Loaded Fries)
Crisp oven chips piled with shredded birria beef, melted cheese and lime crema, with a cup of broth for dipping.
Made with Lime crema (Mexican soured cream sauce) and Birria adobo and consomme. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time3 hr 30
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £3.80 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 4 tablespoons of the broth. Warm the rest for dipping.
- 3
Heat the oven to 220°C (200°C fan). Toss the potato chips with the oil and some salt and spread them on two trays. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes, turning once, until golden and crisp.
38 min 20 s - 4
Pile the chips on a large tray, top with the beef and cheese, and return to the oven for 5 minutes until the cheese melts.
5 min - 5
Drizzle with your ready made lime crema (see the base recipe) and scatter over the jalapeno, onion and coriander. Serve with cups of hot broth.
Tips
- Use floury potatoes and a very hot oven. Do not crowd the trays or the chips will steam.
- Dry the chips well after cutting so they crisp.
- Serve straight away. The chips lose crunch quickly under the toppings.
- Frozen oven chips work in a hurry. Check they are labelled gluten free if needed.
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
Can I fry the chips instead?
Yes. Deep fry at 180C in sunflower oil for 6 to 8 minutes until golden. Take care with hot oil. Oven roasting is easier and uses less oil.
Can I make the beef ahead?
Yes. Braise and shred it up to 3 days ahead and warm it before assembling.
What can I use instead of Oaxaca cheese?
Low moisture mozzarella melts well. Mild cheddar also works but is oilier.
More made with lime crema (mexican soured cream sauce)
Pollo con Rajas y Crema (Chicken with Poblano Strips in Cream)
EFNFQuesadillas de Hongos con Epazote (Mushroom Quesadillas)
VEFNFTacos de Pescado a la Plancha (Griddled Baja Fish Tacos)
GFEFNFChiles Poblanos Rellenos de Birria (Poblano Peppers Stuffed with Birria)
GFEFNFSee every dish made with lime crema (mexican soured cream sauce)
Double 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.