Birria Tacos Recipe

If you’re a taco lover, you’ve probably heard of birria tacos. These flavorful, juicy, and mouthwatering tacos have taken the food world by storm. But what exactly are birria tacos? Where do they come from? But most importantly, how can you whip them up in your kitchen? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about birria tacos, from their history to a step-by-step guide on making the best birria tacos right in your kitchen. With this recipe, you’ll be able to impress your family, and friends, or just treat yourself to a truly spectacular meal. Let’s dive in!

What Are Birria Tacos?

Birria is a traditional Mexican dish that originates from the state of Jalisco, although it’s now popular all over Mexico and the United States. Originally, birria was made with goat meat, but today, beef is often used because it’s more accessible and widely preferred.

The dish involves slowly braising the meat in a flavorful broth made with a variety of dried chiles, herbs, and spices. Once tender, the meat is shredded and served in tacos, often dipped into the rich, savory broth, called consomé, which makes birria tacos so special.

What Makes Birria Tacos So Special?

Birria tacos stand out because of the deep flavor in both the meat and the broth. The slow cooking process allows the meat to absorb all the spices and flavors, creating a deliciously tender and juicy filling for the tacos. And let’s not forget the dipping — dunking your taco into the consomé before taking a bite brings the whole experience to another level of deliciousness.

Now that you know what birria tacos are, it’s time to learn how to make them yourself!

The Ingredients for Birria Tacos Recipe

To make authentic birria tacos, you’ll need a variety of ingredients, some of which might already be in your pantry, while others may require a trip to the local grocery store or Mexican market. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Meat and Consomé:

• 3 pounds of beef chuck roast (or short ribs, or a combination)
• 1 pound of bone-in beef shank (for extra flavor)
• 6 dried guajillo chiles
• 3 dried ancho chiles
• 2 dried pasilla chiles
• 1 large white onion, chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, peeled
• 2 tomatoes, roughly chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 2 cloves
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 4 cups of beef broth (or water)
• Salt to taste

For the Tacos:

• Corn tortillas (use good-quality tortillas for the best result)
• Shredded cheese (Oaxaca or mozzarella works well)
• Chopped onions and cilantro, for garnish
• Lime wedges, for serving

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Birria Tacos

Step 1: Prepare the Chiles

Start by preparing the dried chiles, as these are the foundation of the rich flavor in the consomé. Take out the stems and seeds from the guajillo, ancho, and pasilla peppers. Once cleaned, place the chiles in a pot with water and bring to a boil. Let them simmer for about 10 minutes, or until they are softened. Then, drain them and set them aside.

Step 2: Blend the Sauce

In a blender, combine the softened chiles, chopped onion, garlic, tomatoes, cumin, oregano, black peppercorns, cloves, and apple cider vinegar. Blend until you have a smooth sauce. If necessary, add a little bit of the beef broth to help it blend more easily.

Step 3: Cook the Meat

Now it’s time to cook the meat. In a large pot or Dutch oven, add the beef chuck, beef shank, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, and the sauce you just made. Pour in the beef broth (or water) until the meat is fully covered. Bring it all to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer.

Cover the pot and let the meat cook for about 3 to 4 hours, or until it is extremely tender and easy to shred. You can also use a slow cooker or pressure cooker if you prefer.

Step 4: Shred the Meat

Once the meat is done cooking, remove it from the pot and use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces. Set aside the shredded meat while you prepare the broth and tacos.

Step 5: Make the Consomé

The liquid left in the pot is the flavorful consomé, which you’ll use for dipping your tacos. To make the consomé, strain the liquid to remove any solids, and adjust the seasoning with salt if needed. If you like, you can skim off some of the fat from the top of the broth, but many people prefer to keep it for added richness.

Step 6: Assemble the Tacos

Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lightly dip each corn tortilla into the consomé, just enough to coat it with the flavorful liquid. Then, place the tortilla on the skillet and sprinkle some shredded cheese on one half of the tortilla.

Add a generous amount of the shredded birria meat on top of the cheese. Fold the tortilla in half, like a quesadilla, and cook until the tortilla is crispy and the cheese is melted, about 2-3 minutes per side.

Step 7: Serve

Once your tacos are ready, serve them hot with a side of the consomé for dipping. Garnish with chopped onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime for a fresh burst of flavor. And just like that, you’ve got yourself some mouthwatering homemade birria tacos!

Tips for Making the Best Birria Tacos

Now that you know how to make birria tacos, here are some tips to take your tacos to the next level:

1. Use a Mix of Meats: While beef chuck is great, adding bone-in cuts like beef shank or short ribs adds extra flavor and richness to the broth. The bones release collagen, giving the consomé its signature depth.
2. Don’t Skip the Chiles: The dried chiles are what give birria its signature smoky and slightly spicy flavor. If you can’t find certain varieties, you can substitute them with similar chiles, but try to stick as close to the original as possible for the best flavor.
3. Let the Meat Rest in the Sauce: If you have time, let the shredded meat rest in the sauce for an hour or two before making the tacos. This allows the meat to absorb even more flavor.
4. Make it Ahead: Birria tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld together. You can make the birria ahead of time and store it in the fridge for a couple of days, or freeze it for longer storage.

Creative Variations of Birria Tacos

There’s no one right way to savor birria tacos! Here are some exciting twists you can try:

1. Lamb Birria: For a more authentic touch, swap out the beef for lamb or goat. While the cooking method remains the same, the result is a deeper, more robust, and slightly gamey flavor.
2. Spicy Birria: Love heat? Spice things up by blending in dried arbol chiles or smoky chipotle peppers to your sauce, giving your birria an added fiery punch.
3. Vegan Birria: Yes, even vegans can enjoy birria! Simply replace the meat with jackfruit or mushrooms. The flavorful sauce and slow-cooking technique work beautifully with plant-based ingredients, delivering all the richness without the meat.

Why You Should Try Making Birria Tacos

Making birria tacos at home might take a bit of time, but trust me, it’s worth every minute. The layers of flavor, from the smoky chiles to the tender meat and rich consomé, come together to create something truly special. Plus, once you’ve mastered this recipe, you can impress everyone with your taco-making skills!

Whether you’re preparing them for a special occasion or just a cozy dinner at home, birria tacos are guaranteed to satisfy you. So, gather your ingredients, fire up the stove, and get ready to experience the deliciousness of homemade birria tacos. You won’t regret it!

Final Thoughts

There you have it — a complete guide to making the best birria tacos recipe from scratch. It’s a dish that’s packed with flavor and perfect for any taco night. The process may be a bit longer than your average taco recipe, but the results are beyond worth it.

So next time you’re craving something special, skip the takeout and give this recipe a try. Your taste buds will thank you!

Enjoy your birria tacos with friends, family, or just by yourself. And don’t forget — dip, bite, repeat!