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Birria Tacos

Birria Tacos

Enjoy these juicy, cheesy Birria Tacos made with braised beef and served with a rich consomé.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Assembly Time 15 minutes
Total Time 4 hours
Course dinner
Cuisine American, Mexican
Servings 10 tacos
Calories 300 kcal

Equipment

  • dutch oven
  • pair of tongs
  • blender

Ingredients
  

Birria de Rez

  • 2 pounds boneless chuck
  • 1 pound oxtail or bone-in short ribs
  • 1 teaspoon neutral oil avocado or vegetable oil

Sauce

  • 7 count ancho chiles ends trimmed and de-seeded
  • 7 count guajillo chiles ends trimmed and de-seeded
  • 3 count chiles de arbol ends trimmed and de-seeded
  • 1 count white onion peeled and halved
  • 6 count garlic cloves peeled
  • 4 count roma tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
  • 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ count Mexican cinnamon stick see note if not using Mexican cinnamon
  • 3 count bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 3 cups beef broth or water divided

Tacos

  • ¼ cup minced cilantro
  • ¼ count white onion minced
  • 1 count lime juice from
  • Kosher salt
  • Corn tortillas
  • 3 ounces Oaxacan cheese or mozzarella

Instructions
 

To Sear the Meat

  • Bring the meat to room temperature, about 30 minutes and then sprinkle liberally on all sides with kosher salt. In a large Dutch oven, set over medium-high heat, add the neutral oil. When hot, add the meat and sear on all sides until browned. Transfer to a bowl.

To Make the Sauce

  • Meanwhile, in another medium pot, add the dried chiles, halved white onion, garlic cloves, tomatoes, spices, bay leaves and add cold water until it covers everything. Place over medium heat and simmer gently for about 15 minutes. Pour through a strainer and transfer the solids to a blender. Add the apple cider vinegar and about 1 cup of beef broth or water and blend until very smooth, about 2 minutes. Add salt to taste.

To Braise the Meat

  • Preheat the oven to 300F. Add the meat back to the pot and pour the sauce over it. Add the remaining 2 cups of broth or water and swish it around to pick up any leftover sauce and pour it into the pot. Place over medium heat until it reaches a gentle simmer and then immediately cover and transfer to the preheated oven. Cook for about 3 hours, until the meat is tender.

To Assemble the Tacos

  • Mix together the cilantro, white onion, lime and salt. Remove the meat from the sauce and shred using two forks. Ladle the broth into a bowl and add a handful of diced cilantro. Add a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Dip the tortilla into the top of the broth and add it to the skillet. Pan fry on one side for about 30 seconds and then flip over. Add some of the shredded meat and the shredded cheese. Fold over and cook until pan fried on both sides, about 1 minute. Transfer to a plate and serve alongside the broth.

Notes

You can substitute cuts of meat as desired, and this dish can be made ahead of time. It also adapts well to slow-cooker and Instant Pot methods.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tacoCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 20gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 3mg
Keyword Birria Tacos, braised beef, cheesy, consomé, delicious, tacos
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