Birria Tacos Recipe
Experience the authentic flavors of Mexico with this traditional birria recipe, showcasing time-honored cooking methods. Tender beef chuck roast is slow-cooked in a rich and savory broth infused with dried chilies, tomatoes, and aromatic spices. The succulent meat is then shredded and tucked into corn tortillas dipped in the flavorful birria broth and grilled to crispy perfection. Served with fresh cilantro, chopped onions, and a side of warm consomé for dipping, these tacos offer a delectable blend of textures and tastes that will delight your senses.The key ingredients involved in the authentic birria taco recipe include dried chilies, tomatoes, and a blend of aromatic spices, which contribute to the ideal texture and juiciness of the tacos. Perfect for special occasions or a satisfying meal any day of the week!
Equipment
- Vitamix (or blender)
- Forks (for shredding meat)
- Small bowls (for consomé dipping sauce)
Ingredients
For the Birria Stew:
- 3 pounds beef chuck roast or goat meat for traditional birria
- 5 guajillo chili dried
- 3 ancho chili dried
- 2 arbol chili dried, adjust quantity for desired heat level
- 1 onion large, quartered
- 6 cloves garlic
- 2 tomatoes chopped
- 2 bay leaves dry
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon mexican oregano dried, or oregano
- 6 cups beef broth
- Sea salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
For the Tacos:
- Corn tortillas
- Onion chopped, for garnish
- Cilantro chopped, for garnish
- Lime cut into wedges
- Shredded cheese optional
Instructions
Prepare the Chilies
- Remove stems and seeds from the dried guajillo, ancho, and arbol chilies.
- Toast the chilies in a skillet over medium heat until they become fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to burn them.
- Soak the toasted chilies in a bowl of hot water for 15 minutes until they soften.
Make the Birria Sauce
- Transfer the softened chilies to a blender.
- Add the quartered onion, garlic cloves, chopped tomatoes, cumin, oregano, and 1 cup of beef broth to the blender.
- Blend until the mixture is smooth, forming the birria sauce. Set aside.
Sear the Beef Chuck Roast
- Season the beef chuck roast generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
- Heat the large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add a little oil if needed to prevent sticking.
- Sear the meat in the pot, browning it on all sides to lock in flavor, about 3-4 minutes per side.
Cook the Birria
- Pour the birria sauce over the seared meat in the pot.
- Add the remaining beef broth, bay leaves, and cinnamon stick to the pot.
- Stir to combine all ingredients.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and simmer for 2.5 to 3 hours.
- Check occasionally, stirring to prevent sticking, until the meat is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
Shred the Meat
- Remove the meat from the pot and place it on a cutting board.
- Use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.
- Return the shredded meat to the pot, mixing it with the broth.
Assemble the Tacos With Corn Tortillas
- Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat.
- Skim some fat from the top of the birria broth and place it in a shallow dish.
- Dip each corn tortilla into the fat to lightly coat both sides.
- Place the tortilla on the hot skillet.
- Add shredded meat onto one half of the tortilla.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese over the meat if desired.
- Fold the tortilla over to create a taco.
- Cook for about 2 minutes on each side, or until the tortilla is crispy and the cheese is melted.
Serve
- Garnish the tacos with chopped onion and cilantro.
- Serve with lime wedges on the side for an extra burst of freshness.
- Ladle some birria broth (consomé) into small bowls.
- Enjoy the tacos by dipping them into the consomé.
