Crispy Quesabirria Grilled Cheese Sliders
These sliders combine crispy bread, melty cheese, and rich birria-style shredded beef for a quick, flavorful Cinco de Mayo treat that’s perfect for celebrations or casual meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups shredded beef birria (or leftover roast beef or slow-cooked beef brisket)
- 1 cup birria consommé or beef broth (for dipping the bread and moistening the filling)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 small slider buns or dinner rolls (bolillo or soft brioche preferred)
- 2 cups shredded Oaxaca cheese or mozzarella
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- Optional toppings: fresh cilantro leaves, pickled jalapeños, salsa verde or hot sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Birria Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine shredded beef with cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss well to coat evenly. Warm the birria consommé or beef broth in a small saucepan over low heat; keep warm.
- Assemble the Sliders: Slice slider buns in half horizontally. Quickly dip the cut side of each bun into the warm consommé, allowing some absorption without sogginess. Place dipped side down on a plate.
- Layer Cheese and Meat: On the bottom half of each bun, sprinkle a generous layer of shredded Oaxaca and cheddar cheese mix. Top with a heaping spoonful of seasoned shredded beef. Add more cheese on top of the meat. Place the top bun half over the filling, pressing gently.
- Butter and Grill: Spread softened butter on the outside of each slider bun (top and bottom). Heat a skillet over medium heat. Place sliders butter-side down on the skillet. Cook 3-4 minutes until golden and crispy. Flip and cook another 3-4 minutes until cheese melts and bread crisps.
- Serve Immediately: Remove sliders from skillet and let rest for a minute. Garnish with cilantro and pickled jalapeños if desired. Serve with salsa verde or hot sauce for dipping.
Notes
Dip buns briefly in consommé to infuse flavor without sogginess. Use a cheese blend of Oaxaca and cheddar for melt and flavor balance. Cook on medium heat to avoid burning bread before cheese melts. Rest sliders a minute before serving to avoid molten cheese spills. For gluten-free, use gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps; for dairy-free, use vegan cheese and olive oil instead of butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 280320
- Sugar: 23
- Sodium: 400600
- Fat: 1518
- Saturated Fat: 79
- Carbohydrates: 2025
- Fiber: 12
- Protein: 1820
Keywords: quesabirria, grilled cheese, sliders, Cinco de Mayo, birria, shredded beef, Mexican appetizer, crispy bread, melty cheese