Description
Succulent birria tacos blend Mexican culinary traditions with rich, spicy braised beef melting between crispy tortillas. Tender meat and zesty consommé create an irresistible dining experience you’ll savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 lbs (1.36 kg) beef chuck roast or short ribs (cut into large chunks)
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 cups shredded Oaxaca or mozzarella cheese
- 12–14 corn tortillas
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 small onion (quartered)
- 1 large tomato (quartered)
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ½ cup diced white onion
- 2 tbsps oil (for searing)
- 1 tbsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for extra depth)
- 4 dried guajillo chilies (seeds removed)
- 2 dried ancho chilies (seeds removed, optional for deeper flavor)
- 2 dried chile de arbol (for heat, optional)
- Lime wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Chili Preparation: Gently toast dried chilies in a dry skillet until fragrant, then submerge in hot water to soften and rehydrate their intense flavors.
- Sauce Creation: Blend rehydrated chilies with garlic, onion, tomato, oregano, cumin, and paprika until transformed into a smooth, vibrant sauce that captures the essence of traditional Mexican cuisine.
- Meat Transformation: Select your preferred cooking method and sear the meat until a caramelized crust develops. Immerse the meat in the prepared sauce with bay leaves, allowing it to slowly tenderize and absorb the rich, complex flavors.
- Simmering Process: Cook the meat for 3-4 hours, patiently waiting as it breaks down into tender, pull-apart strands that melt in your mouth. Strain the cooking liquid to create a deeply flavored consome.
- Taco Assembly: Delicately dip tortillas into the consome, creating a moisture-rich base. Generously layer shredded meat, fresh cheese, crisp cilantro, and sharp diced onions onto each tortilla.
- Final Cooking: Fold tortillas and griddle until achieving a golden, crispy exterior that provides a satisfying crunch and textural contrast to the tender meat.
- Serving Presentation: Plate the birria tacos immediately, accompanied by the reserved consome for dipping. Garnish with fresh lime wedges and additional herbs to elevate the culinary experience and brighten the dish’s robust flavors.
Notes
- Select Optimal Chili Variety: Choose a blend of dried chilies like guajillo, ancho, and pasilla for a complex, balanced flavor profile that enhances the birria’s depth.
- Master Meat Tenderness: Low and slow cooking is crucial; maintain a gentle simmer to break down tough connective tissues, ensuring melt-in-your-mouth meat texture.
- Perfect Tortilla Technique: Dip tortillas briefly in consomé to prevent sogginess while creating a rich, flavor-infused base that elevates the overall taco experience.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap beef for lamb, goat, or plant-based alternatives like jackfruit to accommodate different dietary preferences without compromising authentic taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg