Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsRubamba RestaurantBirria Venezuelan Arepa Recipe

Birria Venezuelan Arepa Recipe

Inspired by Rubamba Restaurant
Time3h
Serves4

Shredded brisket steak + consomme'.

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Ingredients

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For the Arepas

Method

Preparing the Birria

  1. 1

    Prepare the Dried Peppers

    Remove the stems and seeds from the guajillo and ancho peppers, then soak them in warm water for about 15-20 minutes until softened.

  2. 2

    Blend the Sauce

    In a blender, combine the softened peppers, garlic cloves, cumin seeds, black peppercorns, thyme, and a little salt with 1 cup of water. Blend until smooth.

  3. 3

    Cook the Brisket

    In a large pot, add the brisket, the blended sauce, the remaining water, and the bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 3 hours or until the brisket is tender.

  4. 4

    Shred the Brisket

    Once cooked, remove the brisket from the pot, let it cool slightly, then shred it using two forks. Return the shredded brisket to the pot to keep warm in the consomme.

  5. 5

    Add Lime Juice

    Stir in lime juice into the consomme for an added zing.

Preparing the Arepas

  1. 6

    Mix the Dough

    In a large bowl, combine the pre-cooked cornmeal, water, and salt. Mix until a dough forms, and let it rest for about 5-10 minutes.

  2. 7

    Form the Arepas

    Divide the dough into 4 equal portions and shape each into a patty about 1/2 inch thick.

  3. 8

    Cook the Arepas

    In a skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Place the arepas in the skillet and cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.

Serving the Dish

  1. 9

    Assemble the Dish

    To serve, place shredded brisket on each arepa, ladle some consomme' over the top, and garnish with chopped cilantro and onion.

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