Birria Tacos
Birria Tacos are a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender beef and aromatic spices, served with a side of rich consomé for dipping.
Ingredients
For the beef
- 2 lbs beef chuck or brisket
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- to taste Salt and pepper
For the sauce
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 dried guajillo chiles for mild heat
- 2 dried ancho chiles for depth of flavor
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp oregano
- 2 leaves bay leaves
For assembly
- as needed Corn tortillas
- as needed Oaxacan cheese (or queso fresco)
- as needed Fresh cilantro, for garnish
- as needed Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
Preparation
- Toast the Chiles: In a skillet over medium heat, toast the dried guajillo and ancho chiles until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Soak in hot water for about 15 minutes to rehydrate.
- Prepare the Beef: In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Season the beef with salt and pepper, then sear on all sides until browned, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Remove the beef from the pot. In the same pot, sauté the chopped onion and garlic until the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Sauce Preparation
- Blend the Sauce: After rehydrating, blend the chiles with 1 cup of beef broth until smooth. Add the blended chiles back into the pot with the sautéed onion and garlic.
- Cook the Beef: Return the seared beef to the pot with the remaining broth, cumin, oregano, bay leaves, and additional salt. Simmer and cover for about 2-3 hours until tender.
Assembly
- Shred the Beef: Remove the beef from the pot and shred it with forks. Set it aside.
- Assemble the Tacos: Heat corn tortillas in a pan until pliable. Fill each with shredded beef and sprinkle with Oaxacan cheese.
- Fry and Serve: Fry the filled tacos in a skillet until crispy on both sides. Serve with consomé, garnished with cilantro and lime wedges.
Notes
Maximize Flavor: Marinate the beef overnight for richer flavor. Tortilla Choice: Corn tortillas are traditional; flour can be used for a softer texture. For a healthier option, use an air fryer. Shredded beef can be prepped ahead of time.