Birria Tacos Recipe

4.81 from 87 votes

Birria Tacos with tender beef are a must try dinner that melts in your mouth. Enriched with authentic Mexican flavors, layered with melted cheese, and encased in a crispy tortilla; they are incredibly delicious!

Prep Time30

Cook Time5

Total Time5 30

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Servings: tacos

Author: Becky Hardin

Equipment

Dutch Oven
Immersion Blender

Ingredients

For the Stewed Meat

6 dried Guajillo chiles stemmed and deseeded
4 dried Ancho chiles stemmed and deseeded. Sub for canned chipotles.
3 pounds chuck roast cut into 4 chunks
Kosher salt to taste
Ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
3 vine tomatoes quartered
1 white onion quartered
8 cloves garlic peeled and smashed
4 cups low sodium beef broth
1 ½ pounds bone-in short ribs
1 tablespoon ground coriander
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 cinnamon stick
½ cup orange juice
¼ cup apple cider vinegar or lemon juice

For the Tacos

15 corn tortillas flour or cassava flour tortillas also work
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup chopped yellow onion
½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Fresh limes wedges for serving

Instructions

For the Stewed Meat

Place the Guajillo and Ancho chiles in a bowl full of near-boiling water. Allow the peppers to soak for at least 30 minutes.
6 dried Guajillo chiles, 4 dried Ancho chiles
While the peppers soak, season the chuck roast chunks with salt and pepper to taste.
3 pounds chuck roast, Kosher salt, Ground black pepper
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large Dutch oven set over medium-high heat. In 2 batches, sear the roast on all sides, using more oil as needed. Transfer the seared chuck roast to a plate and set aside.
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Add the remaining oil, tomatoes, onion, and garlic to the pot. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
3 vine tomatoes, 1 white onion, 8 cloves garlic
Pour in the beef broth to deglaze the pot.
4 cups low sodium beef broth
Drain the water and transfer the hydrated chiles from the bowl of water to the pot. Add the short ribs, spices, and cinnamon stick. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat, and maintain a gentle simmer for 30 minutes.
1 ½ pounds bone-in short ribs, 1 tablespoon ground coriander, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 2 teaspoons dried oregano, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 cinnamon stick
Remove the short ribs and add to the plate with the seared roast. Skim the top of the pot to remove any impurities from the bone cooking out. Remove the cinnamon stick and discard. Transfer about 1 ½ - 2 cups of the braising liquid to a bowl. Cover the bowl and refrigerate.
Use an immersion blender to blend the remaining pepper and tomato mixture until smooth.
Return the short ribs, seared beef, and any juices back to the Dutch oven. Add the orange juice, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer, cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for at least 3-4 hours.
½ cup orange juice, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
When the beef is cooked through, remove the short rib bones. Shred the meat with 2 forks.

For the Tacos

Remove the reserved braising liquid from the refrigerator. Working 1 tortilla at a time, dip the tortilla in the reserved liquid. Place the tortilla on a large skillet set over medium heat.
15 corn tortillas
Top half of the tortilla with 1-2 tablespoons of shredded cheese, 2-3 tablespoons of shredded beef, and a sprinkle of onion and cilantro. Fold the tortilla in half to close.
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, 1 cup chopped yellow onion, ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Cook the tacos for 30-45 seconds on each side until crisp. Transfer to a serving platter and squeeze fresh lime juice over the top.
Fresh limes wedges
Repeat with the remaining tortillas and serve with any remaining braising liquid on the side for dipping.

Video

Notes

You can substitute in oxtail instead of short ribs.
Believe it or not, I've tried making these birria with just about any meat. Every variation is still delicious. Use chicken thighs, pork shoulder, or even vegetarian options like jackfruit or vegetable brat.
Dipping the tortillas in the braising liquid before assembling them hold them together and prevents breaking. You can also heat them up in the microwave with a damp paper towel.
I'm a big fan of Monterey jack, but you can substitute your favorite cheese.
These tacos are medium spicy but you can dial it up by adjusting the chili powder.
Don't forget to save the braising liquid for dipping!

Storage: Store stewed beef and reserved braising liquid in individual airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Assembled tacos are best enjoyed fresh.

Nutrition