Print

Birria Tacos Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 67 reviews

Authentic Mexican Birria Tacos made with tender, slow-cooked beef chuck roast simmered in a rich, smoky, and flavorful chili-tomato broth. Served with melted Oaxaca cheese and garnished with fresh cilantro, onion, and lime, these tacos are perfect for a hearty meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Marinade

  • 2 lb beef chuck roast (cut into chunks)
  • 1 tbsp grapeseed oil
  • 7 dried ancho chilies (trimmed and de-seeded)
  • 5 dried guajillo chilies (trimmed and de-seeded)
  • 4 dried chilies de arbor (trimmed and de-seeded)
  • 1 onion (peeled and halved)
  • 6 garlic cloves
  • 4 tomatoes (on the vine)
  • 1 tbsp black peppercorns
  • 1/2 cinnamon stick
  • 1 tbsp Mexican oregano
  • 4 cups beef stock
  • 2 tbsp Bayou City Garlic Pepper
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

Toppings and Serving

  • Cilantro (for garnish)
  • Onion (minced, for topping)
  • Lime (for topping)
  • Corn tortillas
  • Oaxaca cheese (or your favorite melting cheese)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the consommé: In a medium pot, combine the dried ancho, guajillo, and chilies de arbor, halved onion, garlic cloves, tomatoes, black peppercorns, cinnamon stick, and Mexican oregano. Cover with cold water and simmer gently over medium heat for about 20 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  2. Blend the sauce: Strain the mixture and transfer the solids to a blender. Add about 1 cup of beef broth and blend until very smooth, about 2 minutes. Season the sauce with salt and Bayou City Garlic Pepper to taste (approximately 1 tablespoon each).
  3. Prepare the beef: Bring the beef chuck roast chunks to room temperature. Generously season all sides with salt.
  4. Sear the beef: Heat grapeseed oil in a Dutch oven or ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Sear the beef chunks in batches until evenly browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
  5. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 300°F (150°C) to prepare for slow cooking.
  6. Combine and cook: Return the seared beef to the pot and pour the blended chili sauce over it. Add 2 cups of beef broth or water to the blender to pick up leftover sauce and then pour this into the pot as well.
  7. Simmer and braise: Heat the pot over medium heat until it reaches a gentle simmer. Cover with the lid and transfer to the preheated oven. Cook for about 3 hours, or until the beef is tender enough to shred easily.
  8. Shred the beef: Remove the meat from the pot and shred with two forks. Ladle some of the cooking broth over the shredded beef to keep it moist and flavorful.
  9. Prepare the dipping broth: Pour some cooking broth into a small bowl. Add a handful of diced onion and chopped cilantro to this broth for a fresh dipping sauce.
  10. Make the tacos: Dip corn tortillas into the broth, then place them on a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Fry for about 30 seconds on one side, then flip.
  11. Assemble and cook: On the cooked side, add shredded beef and Oaxaca cheese. Fold the tortilla over and cook for about 1 minute until the cheese melts and both sides are golden and crisp. Transfer to a plate.
  12. Serve: Serve the tacos with fresh cilantro, minced onion, lime wedges, and a side of the dipping broth for an authentic birria taco experience.

Notes

  • For best flavor, use high-quality dried chilies and toast them lightly before soaking to deepen the chili flavor.
  • Grapeseed oil is used for its high smoke point; you can substitute with vegetable or canola oil if needed.
  • Braising the meat low and slow in the oven ensures tender, shreddable beef and rich broth.
  • If you don’t have a Dutch oven, use a heavy ovenproof pot with a tight-fitting lid.
  • Oaxaca cheese melts beautifully, but other melty cheeses like mozzarella or Chihuahua cheese work well too.
  • Tortilla dipping broth adds moisture and enhances flavor; don’t skip this step.
  • The broth can be strained and served as a consommé along with tacos for dipping or sipping.

Keywords: Birria Tacos, Mexican Tacos, Braised Beef Tacos, Slow Cooked Beef, Ancho Chili, Guajillo Chili, Mexican Recipe

Find it online: https://savorandsimmer.com/birria-tacos-recipe/