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Birria Tacos

Birria Tacos Recipe

Emma
Learn how to make authentic Birria Tacos! Juicy, tender meat in a rich consommé, wrapped in crispy tortillas. A must-try recipe for taco lovers!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 19 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 8 servings
Calories 500 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Birria Meat:

  • 3 pounds beef chuck roast or a mix of beef short ribs, lamb, or goat
  • 4 dried guajillo chilies stemmed and seeded
  • 2 dried ancho chilies stemmed and seeded
  • 2 dried pasilla chilies stemmed and seeded
  • 1 medium onion quartered
  • 6 garlic cloves
  • 2 Roma tomatoes quartered
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 3 whole cloves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Tacos:

  • Corn tortillas
  • 1 cup shredded Oaxaca or mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh cilantro chopped
  • White onion finely diced
  • Lime wedges for serving
  • Cooking oil for frying

Instructions
 

Prepare the Birria Meat:

  • Toast the dried chilies in a skillet over medium heat until fragrant. Remove and soak them in hot water for 10 minutes.
  • Blend the softened chilies, onion, garlic, tomatoes, and spices (oregano, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, and cloves) with 1 cup of beef broth until smooth.
  • Season the beef with salt and pepper, then sear in a large pot or Dutch oven until browned on all sides.
  • Pour the blended chili mixture and remaining beef broth over the meat. Add bay leaves and vinegar.
  • Cover and simmer on low heat for 2.5–3 hours, or until the meat is tender and shreds easily.

Shred the Meat:

  • Remove the meat from the pot and shred it using two forks. Reserve the birria consommé (the rich broth) for dipping.

Assemble the Tacos:

  • Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat.
  • Dip each tortilla in the reserved consommé to coat lightly. Place it on the skillet.
  • Sprinkle cheese on one side of the tortilla, add shredded meat, and top with cilantro and diced onion.
  • Fold the tortilla in half and cook until crispy, flipping once.

Serve:

  • Serve the tacos hot with a small bowl of consommé on the side for dipping. Add lime wedges for an extra burst of flavor.
Keyword Authentic Birria Tacos, Beef Birria Quesatacos, Birria de Res, Homemade Birria Recipe, Mexican Street Tacos