Goat meat braised in a rich chile sauce, the original Jalisco birria recipe. This high protein, carnivore-approved family dish offers distinctive, robust flavors at celebrations and gatherings.
Toast the guajillo, ancho, and pasilla chiles in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, turning constantly to avoid burning.
Remove the stems and seeds from the chiles, then soak them in hot water for 15 minutes until softened.
Blend the softened chiles with vinegar, garlic, onion, cumin seeds, cloves, oregano, peppercorns, and some soaking water until smooth.
Season the goat meat pieces generously with salt, then pour the chile sauce over the meat and marinate for at least 2 hours (overnight preferred) in the refrigerator.
Preheat the oven to 325°F. Transfer the goat meat, marinade, and bay leaves into a large Dutch oven. Cover tightly with a lid or foil.
Braise in the oven for 3–4 hours, or until the goat meat is fork-tender, checking occasionally and adding a splash of water if the liquid reduces too much.
Remove the lid for the last 30 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken and concentrate flavors. Serve birria de chivo with chopped onions, cilantro, and warm tortillas if desired.