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.

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

Description

Beef Birria Tacos are a savory and comforting dish made with tender beef, spices, and a rich broth, served in warm corn tortillas. Perfect for any taco night!

Ingredients

Scale

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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Instructions

Start by removing the stems and seeds from the dried chiles. Toast them lightly in a dry skillet for about 2-3 minutes.
Blend the toasted chiles with 1 cup of beef broth until smooth.
In a large pot, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
Add the beef chuck roast and beef shank to the pot, browning on all sides.
Pour in the blended chili mixture, remaining beef broth, cumin, oregano, black pepper, and bay leaves. Season with salt.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for about 2-3 hours or until the beef is tender and shreds easily.
Remove the meat, shred it, and return it to the broth.
To serve, dip the corn tortillas in the broth, then fill with the shredded beef. Top with chopped cilantro and diced onions. Serve with lime wedges.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can marinate the beef overnight in the spices.

Consider serving with a side of the broth for dipping the tacos.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 180 minutes
Category: Chicken Dinners & Wings 🍗
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 taco
Calories: 300 kcal
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 20g
Cholesterol: 80mg