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Cecina Enchilada

A traditional Oaxacan specialty — Cecina Enchilada, thin sheets of beef or pork lacquered in a bright red guajillo adobo.

⏱ 25 minPrep time
🔥 15 minCook time
🍽 6Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Grilled Oaxacan cecina enchilada pork with tortillas and salsa

A traditional Oaxacan specialty — Cecina Enchilada, thin sheets of beef or pork lacquered in a bright red guajillo adobo. The marinade turns the meat a vivid red as it dries onto the surface, and a quick sear over high heat leaves it charred-edged, juicy and deeply seasoned. It is a market-day staple, grilled in clouds of smoke and folded into tacos with salsa and lime.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Toast the chiles on a comal until fragrant, then soak them in hot water for 20 minutes.
  2. Blend the drained chiles with the garlic, cumin, oregano, vinegar, salt and 1/4 cup water into a thick adobo, then strain.
  3. Coat the meat slices generously with the adobo, stacking them in a dish, and marinate for at least 2 hours, or overnight in the refrigerator.
  4. Grill or griddle the slices over high heat for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until lightly charred and just cooked through.
  5. Slice against the grain and serve with warm tortillas, lime wedges, salsa and avocado.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Ask your butcher to slice the meat paper-thin, or partially freeze a roast and slice it yourself. The longer the marination, the deeper the red color and the more intense the flavor.

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Recipe details

Prep25 min
Cook15 min
Servings6
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →