Tlayuda de Birria (Oaxacan Crisp Tortilla with Beans and Birria)
A big crisp tortilla spread with beans, topped with birria beef, cheese and fresh salad, folded and eaten like a Mexican pizza.
Made with Birria adobo and consomme and Corn tortillas from masa harina and Refried beans (frijoles refritos). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time3 hr 30
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £4.31 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 450 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 oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Place the tortillas in a single layer on baking trays and bake for 8 to 10 minutes until dry and crisp.
9 min - 4
Spread each crisp tortilla with beans, then scatter over cheese and beef. Return to the oven for 5 minutes until the cheese melts.
5 min - 5
Top with cabbage, tomato, avocado and coriander. Serve with lime and cups of broth.
Tips
- Bake the tortillas until they are fully crisp and snap in half. Soft ones will not hold the toppings.
- In Oaxaca the tortilla is large and thin. Use the biggest corn tortillas you can find, or press them thin yourself.
- Pile on the cold toppings after baking so they stay fresh.
- Fold and eat it with your hands.
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 is a tlayuda?
A tlayuda is a large, thin, crisp corn tortilla from Oaxaca, topped with beans, Oaxaca cheese, meat and salad. It is often called a Mexican pizza.
Where do I find large tortillas?
Some world food shops sell them. Here, use 8 standard corn tortillas baked until crisp, which makes a similar base.
Can I make them with chicken?
Yes. Use shredded pollo deshebrado or birria de pollo instead of beef.
More made with birria adobo and consomme
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.