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Birria Tacos

Birria Tacos: Indulge in These Juicy, Flavor-Packed Delights

Savor the rich flavors of Birria Tacos, filled with tender beef and a mix of spices.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 8 tacos
Calories 366 kcal

Equipment

  • large stock pot
  • blender
  • fine mesh strainer
  • griddle or skillet

Ingredients
  

Birria Beef

  • 3 lb beef chuck roast fat trimmed
  • 4 pieces bone-in beef short ribs
  • 8 pieces dried guajillo chile peppers
  • 3 pieces dried pasilla chile peppers
  • 2-3 pieces dried arbol chile peppers
  • 5 pieces Roma tomatoes quartered (about 1.5lbs)
  • 1 piece white onion roughly chopped
  • 1 head garlic (10-12 cloves)
  • 1 Tablespoon whole black peppercorns
  • 1 Tablespoon whole cumin seeds
  • 1 Tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 Tablespoon dried thyme
  • 0.5 teaspoon whole coriander seed
  • 4 pieces whole cloves
  • 1 teaspoon fresh minced ginger
  • 1 inch Mexican cinnamon stick or ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
  • 2 pieces bay leaves
  • 1 Tablespoon kosher salt

For the Tacos

  • 15 pieces corn tortillas white or yellow
  • 2.5 cups shredded Oaxaca cheese or use mozzarella or Monterey jack
  • 0.5 of a piece white onion diced
  • 1 bunch fresh cilantro chopped
  • 2 limes limes cut into small wedges

Instructions
 

Preparation Steps

  • Cut chuck roast into a few large pieces and season with salt.
  • Prep chiles: rinse (use gloves if desired) and use scissors to open and remove stem and seeds. (For extra spice, leave arbol chiles whole).
  • Birria broth: Add tomatoes and onion to a large stock pot over medium heat. Cook for a few minutes, stirring. Add whole garlic cloves, chile peppers, and all of the spices except the bay leaf. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. Add vinegar and 4 cups water. Bring to a low boil, reduce heat to simmer and cook for 15 minutes, uncovered.
  • Blend: Add mixture to a blender and blend as smooth as possible. Pour mixture through a fine mesh strainer, back into the pot. Add 4 cups of water to the blender and swirl it around to clean excess sauce from the blender, then add it to the pot.
  • Cook beef: Add 1 Tablespoon kosher salt. Bring to a boil. Add short ribs, chuck roast and 3 bay leaves. Cover, reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 2 ½ hours. Check beef to make sure it’s tender, then remove to a plate and shred. Discard bones and bay leaves.
  • Assemble Tacos: Heat a large griddle or skillet over medium heat. Coat pan with a small amount of oil. Dip a corn tortilla into the birria sauce and lay tortilla on hot pan. Quickly top some shredded meat, cheese, chopped onion and cilantro. Fold tortilla over, in half. Fry for several minutes, until crispy and browned on the bottom. Flip and cook until crispy and browned on the other side. Remove to a plate, for serving.
  • Serve: Sprinkle remaining chopped white onion and cilantro on top of prepared tacos. Serve quesabirria tacos with a cup of warm consommé broth, for dipping.

Notes

Save any leftover sauce by freezing for up to 3 months, and reheating to cook another roast inside.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tacoCalories: 366kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 27gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 852mgPotassium: 490mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1192IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 84mgIron: 3mg
Keyword Beef Dish, Beef Tacos, Birria Tacos, comfort food, Mexican Cuisine, taco recipe
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