BEEF BIRRIA TACOS AUTHENTIC MEXICAN STYLE 🌮

Name: Beef Birria Tacos Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 30 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 2 lbs beef chuck roast; 1 lb beef shank; 4 dried guajillo chiles; 2 dried ancho chiles; 1 onion, chopped; 5 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp ground oregano; 1 tsp black pepper; 2 bay leaves; 4 cups beef broth; Salt to taste; 12 corn tortillas; Chopped cilantro for serving; Diced onions for serving; Lime wedges for serving

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Beef birria tacos are the ultimate comfort food that will have your taste buds dancing with joy! 🥳 These juicy, savory tacos are packed with tender beef that’s been slowly simmered in a rich, aromatic broth. The result is a mouthwatering, deeply flavorful filling that’s perfectly complemented by crispy, melty cheese and fresh toppings. Get ready to indulge in a meal that’s equal parts cozy, craveable, and totally worth the effort! 🔥

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Beef Birria Tacos

Beef birria tacos are the perfect balance of bold, comforting flavors and easy-to-follow steps. 👌 The long-simmered beef is fall-apart tender and infused with warm spices, while the crispy, cheesy taco shells take this dish to the next level of deliciousness. 🌮

Plus, with make-ahead options and customizable toppings, you can enjoy these tacos exactly how you like them, any night of the week. 🥰 And if you’re into rich, slow-braised Mexican comfort dishes, you might also enjoy this guide to traditional Mexican stews and braised meats from Serious Eats.

Get ready for a meal that’s sure to become a new family favorite!

Key Tips for the Best Beef Birria Tacos

The key to perfect beef birria tacos is to avoid overcooking the meat. 🙅‍♀️ Patience is key – let the beef slowly simmer until it’s melt-in-your-mouth tender, but not falling apart. This will ensure you get juicy, flavorful shreds instead of a dry, stringy filling. The secret to truly epic beef birria tacos is all in the broth! 🤫 By simmering the beef in a rich, aromatic mixture of spices, tomatoes, and chiles, you’ll infuse every bite with deep, complex flavor. Don’t skip this step – it’s what takes these tacos from good to mind-blowingly delicious! 🤯

What to Serve With Beef Birria Tacos

These bold, comforting tacos are the perfect main dish, but they’re even better with a few tasty sides and sips to round out the meal. 🍽️

Elote (Grilled Mexican Street Corn) — The sweet, charred corn pairs beautifully with the savory birria filling. 🌽
Fresh Avocado Salad — Cool, creamy avocado helps balance the heat and richness of the tacos. 🥗
Cheesy Jalapeno Cornbread — Warm, tender cornbread is the perfect accompaniment to these saucy, meaty tacos. 🥖
Horchata — This classic Mexican rice drink offers a refreshing, creamy contrast to the bold birria flavors. 🥤

When to serve it: Beef birria tacos are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for casual weeknight dinners, Taco Tuesdays, or festive Cinco de Mayo celebrations. 🎉

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need a few key ingredients to make the best beef birria tacos: 🛒 tender beef (like chuck roast or brisket), warm spices like cumin and oregano, plenty of garlic and onions, and a blend of chiles for that signature smoky-spicy kick. 🌶️ Round it out with some beef broth, tomato sauce, and a few simple toppings like cilantro, diced onion, and lime wedges.

2 lbs boneless beef chuck roast or brisket — Cut into 2-inch chunks
1 tbsp cumin
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 large onion, diced

Ingredient Swaps (No Panic Allowed)

Beef → Shredded chicken or pork (still delicious, promise) ✅
Chili peppers → Use a mix of ancho, chipotle, and pasilla chiles (easy dietary swap) 👍

How to Make Beef Birria Tacos (Step-by-Step)

Making beef birria tacos is a bit of a process, but I promise it’s worth the effort! Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Prep Work

Start by seasoning the beef all over with a blend of spices, then sear it in a hot pan to lock in the flavor. 🔥 While that’s happening, sauté the onions and garlic until fragrant, then deglaze the pan with some broth and tomato sauce.

Step 2: Main Cooking Process

Transfer everything to a slow cooker or Dutch oven and let the beef simmer low and slow until it’s meltingly tender, about 3-4 hours. 🍴 The longer you can let it cook, the better – this is where all the bold, comforting flavors develop!

Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly

Once the beef is perfectly cooked, use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces. 🍴 Then it’s time for the fun part – assembling your tacos! Dip the tortillas in the flavorful birria broth, fill them with the shredded beef, and top with a generous sprinkle of gooey, melty cheese.

Step 4: Finishing Touches

For the ultimate crispy, cheesy taco experience, quickly fry or griddle the filled tortillas until golden brown on both sides. 👌 Finish them off with a drizzle of the rich, beefy broth, a sprinkle of chopped onion and cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. 🍋 Voila – your restaurant-worthy beef birria tacos are ready to devour! 🌮

Recipe Variations & Tips (Tiny Checklist, Big Energy)

Before you freestyle: run this quick checklist like a kitchen boss.

Swap the Cheese — Try a blend of cheddar, Oaxaca, and Monterey Jack for maximum melty goodness. 🧀
Add a Kick of Heat — Sprinkle in some diced jalapeño or serrano chile for a little extra spice. 🌶️
Get Creative with Toppings — Cilantro, diced onion, and a squeeze of lime are all must-haves, but you can also try radish, crumbled queso fresco, or a drizzle of crema. 👌
Use Chicken or Pork Instead — Swap the beef for shredded chicken or pork for a tasty twist on the classic. 🐓🐷

Warning: “Just one more bite” is basically guaranteed. 😅🍴

Serving & Storage

Topic	Notes
Best Serving Ideas	Serve the beef birria tacos hot and fresh, with the broth on the side for dipping. 🌮 Offer a selection of toppings like diced onion, chopped cilantro, lime wedges, and hot sauce for guests to customize their tacos.
Fridge Storage	Store any leftover shredded beef and broth separately in airtight containers in the fridge. The shredded beef will keep for 3-4 days, and the broth will last 4-5 days.
Freezer Storage	To freeze, let the shredded beef and broth cool completely, then transfer to separate freezer-safe bags or containers. The frozen beef will keep for 2-3 months, and the broth will last 3-4 months.
Reheating (Microwave)	For quick reheating, place the shredded beef and a splash of broth in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover and heat in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
Make-Ahead Tips	You can prep the beef birria up to 3 days in advance. Store the shredded beef and broth separately in the fridge, then assemble and serve when ready.

Nutrition Notes

These beef birria tacos are a hearty, satisfying meal that’s packed with protein, fiber, and bold, comforting flavors. 🍽️ Each serving provides a good amount of essential nutrients, including iron, vitamin C, and calcium. While the dish does contain some fat and calories from the beef and cheese, the portion sizes are reasonable, making it a perfectly indulgent yet balanced dinner option. 🥰 Enjoy these tacos as part of a healthy, well-rounded diet – they’re sure to become a new family favorite!

Serving Size: 2 tacos
Calories: 500 kcal
Protein: 35 g
Carbs: 30 g
Fat: 25 g
Sodium: 850 mg

Quick Questions People Always Ask

What is birria, and how is it different from regular tacos?

Birria is a traditional Mexican stew made with slow-cooked, seasoned meat, often beef or goat. The meat is simmered in a complex broth made with chiles, spices, and aromatics until it becomes incredibly tender and flavorful. Beef birria tacos take that same rich, bold filling and nestle it into crispy, cheesy taco shells for a truly craveable dish.

Can I make the beef birria ahead of time?

Absolutely! The beef birria filling actually tastes even better if you make it a day or two in advance. The flavors have more time to meld and develop, resulting in an even more delicious taco filling. Simply shred the beef, store it in the fridge with the cooking broth, and reheat everything together when you’re ready to assemble and serve.

What’s the best way to get crispy birria tacos?

For the ultimate crispy, cheesy taco experience, I recommend quickly frying or gridling the assembled tacos after dipping them in the birria broth. This gives you that signature golden-brown, lightly crunchy shell that’s simply irresistible. You can also try broiling the tacos for a minute or two to get that same tasty, toasted effect.

Can I make these tacos with chicken or pork instead of beef?

Definitely! Beef birria is the traditional filling, but you can easily adapt this recipe to use shredded chicken or pork. The same low and slow cooking method will tenderize the meat and infuse it with all those aromatic, spice-forward flavors. Just adjust the cooking time as needed for the different protein.

What are the best toppings for beef birria tacos?

The classic toppings are diced white onion, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. But you can get creative and add other tasty garnishes like sliced radish, diced jalapeño, crumbled queso fresco, or a drizzle of crema. I also love a sprinkle of toasted cumin seeds or a dash of hot sauce for an extra pop of flavor.