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Ingredients
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Bun + Assembly
Birria Filling (serves 12 sliders)
Asada Filling (serves 12 sliders)
Pastor Filling (serves 12 sliders)
Optional Cheese & Sauces
Method
Bun + Assembly
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Split slider buns horizontally. Brush cut sides with softened butter. Sprinkle sesame seeds on tops if using. Place buns on a sheet tray cut-side up and warm for 6–8 minutes until slightly crisp and butter has melted.
When fillings are ready, pile 2–3 tablespoons of the chosen filling on each bottom bun (more for birria because it shreds). Add a small sprinkle of shredded cheese if desired, a few cilantro leaves and a slice or two of white onion. Top with a swipe of crema or a few drops of hot sauce, then cap with bun tops. Serve with lime wedges.
Birria Filling (slow braise method)
Sear and braise
Pat beef dry and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Heat vegetable oil in a heavy Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown beef pieces in batches 2–3 minutes per side to develop color. Remove beef. Add sauce to pot and cook 2 minutes, then return beef, add remaining beef broth and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, cover and transfer to a 300°F (150°C) oven for 2.5–3 hours until beef is very tender and pulls apart easily.
Shred and reduce
Remove beef and shred with forks. Skim excess fat from braising liquid; simmer the liquid on the stove to reduce and concentrate flavor to about 1–1.5 cups. Toss shredded beef in the reduced sauce to coat. Adjust salt to taste (add up to remaining 1/2 tsp salt if needed). Keep warm.
To serve birria sliders: dip bottom buns lightly in warm braising jus (optional) before placing shredded beef for an authentic wet-slider experience.
Asada Filling (marinate & cook)
Marinate steak
In a bowl combine orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, oregano, chopped cilantro, 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Place steak in a resealable bag or shallow dish and pour marinade over. Refrigerate 30 minutes to 2 hours (no more than 4 hours for flank).
Slice and finish
Slice steak thinly against the grain into small pieces suitable for sliders. Toss with a pinch of remaining salt and 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro. Keep warm. For added char, after slicing you can quick-sear slices 30–60 seconds per side in a hot pan with a little oil.
Pastor Filling (marinate & roast)
Marinate pork
Whisk achiote paste with pineapple juice, vinegar, minced garlic, oregano, cumin and 1 tsp salt until smooth. Toss thin pork slices in the marinade, cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
Cook pork
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) or heat a heavy skillet over medium-high. If using oven, spread marinated pork on a rimmed sheet tray in a single layer and roast 12–18 minutes, flipping once, until edges caramelize and pork is cooked through. If using skillet, sear in batches 2–3 minutes per side until caramelized and cooked.
Finish with pineapple
Lightly char pineapple slices in a skillet or under broiler 1–2 minutes per side until caramelized. Chop into small pieces. Toss cooked pork with chopped charred pineapple and adjust salt to taste.
Optional Cheese & Sauces
If using cheese, place a small handful (about 1–2 tbsp) of shredded Oaxaca/Monterey Jack onto the hot filling just before assembling so it melts slightly. Warm crema and mix with a bit of adobo or hot sauce to taste for a quick spicy crema. Use pickled red onions as a bright acidic garnish on any slider style.