Best Beef Birria Tacos Recipe
Get ready to experience the ultimate beef birria tacos, a traditional Mexican dish that has taken the culinary world by storm. These tacos are known for their rich, flavorful beef, slow-cooked in a blend of spices and chilies, then stuffed into warm tortillas and served with a side of consommé for dipping. Perfect for any occasion, these tacos are sure to impress with their deep, savory flavors and tender, juicy meat.
Look forward to the mouthwatering combination of tender beef, soaked in a flavorful broth, and the satisfying crunch of fried tortillas. The rich, spicy consommé adds an extra layer of depth, making each bite a perfect blend of textures and flavors. These tacos are perfect for family gatherings, dinner parties, or simply treating yourself to an unforgettable meal.
Tools to Use
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Blender or food processor
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Skillet or griddle
- Tongs
- Serving bowls
Ingredients
For the Beef Birria:
- 3 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into large chunks
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 onion, quartered
- 5 cloves garlic
- 5 dried guajillo chilies, stems and seeds removed
- 2 dried ancho chilies, stems and seeds removed
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 6 cups beef broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Tacos:
- Corn tortillas
- Chopped white onion
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Queso fresco or shredded cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chilies:
- In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
- Add the dried guajillo and ancho chilies and simmer for 10 minutes, or until softened.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Make the Sauce:
- In a blender or food processor, combine the softened chilies, chipotle pepper, diced tomatoes, vinegar, garlic, onion, and the soaking liquid from the chilies.
- Blend until smooth.
- Cook the Beef:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Season the beef chunks with salt and pepper.
- Sear the beef on all sides until browned, about 5 minutes per side.
- Add the chili sauce to the pot, along with the cinnamon stick, bay leaves, oregano, cumin, cloves, and beef broth.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover.
- Simmer for 3-4 hours, or until the beef is tender and easily shredded.
- Shred the Beef:
- Remove the beef from the pot and shred with two forks.
- Return the shredded beef to the pot and stir to combine with the sauce.
- Prepare the Tacos:
- Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.
- Dip each tortilla into the consommé (the sauce from the pot) and place on the skillet.
- Add a generous amount of shredded beef to one half of the tortilla.
- Fold the tortilla over and cook until crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Serve:
- Serve the tacos with chopped onion, cilantro, lime wedges, and queso fresco or shredded cheese, if desired.
- Ladle some of the consommé into a small bowl for dipping.
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Best Beef Birria Tacos Recipe
Equipment
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Blender or food processor
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Skillet or griddle
- Tongs
- Serving bowls
Ingredients
- For the Beef Birria:
- 3 lbs beef chuck roast cut into large chunks
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 onion quartered
- 5 cloves garlic
- 5 dried guajillo chilies stems and seeds removed
- 2 dried ancho chilies stems and seeds removed
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
- 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 6 cups beef broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Tacos:
- Corn tortillas
- Chopped white onion
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Queso fresco or shredded cheese optional
Instructions
- Prepare the Chilies:
- In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
- Add the dried guajillo and ancho chilies and simmer for 10 minutes, or until softened.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Make the Sauce:
- In a blender or food processor, combine the softened chilies, chipotle pepper, diced tomatoes, vinegar, garlic, onion, and the soaking liquid from the chilies.
- Blend until smooth.
- Cook the Beef:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Season the beef chunks with salt and pepper.
- Sear the beef on all sides until browned, about 5 minutes per side.
- Add the chili sauce to the pot, along with the cinnamon stick, bay leaves, oregano, cumin, cloves, and beef broth.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover.
- Simmer for 3-4 hours, or until the beef is tender and easily shredded.
- Shred the Beef:
- Remove the beef from the pot and shred with two forks.
- Return the shredded beef to the pot and stir to combine with the sauce.
- Prepare the Tacos:
- Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.
- Dip each tortilla into the consommé (the sauce from the pot) and place on the skillet.
- Add a generous amount of shredded beef to one half of the tortilla.
- Fold the tortilla over and cook until crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Serve:
- Serve the tacos with chopped onion, cilantro, lime wedges, and queso fresco or shredded cheese, if desired.
- Ladle some of the consommé into a small bowl for dipping.
Tips for Cooking
- Slow Cook for Best Results: The key to tender, flavorful beef birria is slow cooking. Be patient and let the beef simmer for hours to achieve the best results.
- Adjust the Spice Level: You can control the heat by adjusting the number of chipotle peppers and the type of dried chilies used.
- Make Ahead: The beef birria can be made a day in advance and reheated. In fact, the flavors often deepen and improve after sitting overnight.
Why You Should Try This Recipe
These beef birria tacos are a culinary delight, combining rich, complex flavors with tender, juicy beef. The process of slow-cooking the beef allows the spices and chilies to infuse every bite, creating a dish that’s both deeply satisfying and incredibly flavorful. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply want to treat yourself to a delicious meal, these tacos are sure to impress.
We hope you enjoy making and savoring these best beef birria tacos. They’re a fantastic way to explore the rich culinary traditions of Mexico and bring a bit of that vibrant culture into your own kitchen. Serve them up with all the fixings, and don’t forget to enjoy the delicious consommé on the side. Happy cooking!
