How to Make Birria Tacos at Home: 7 Best Recipes for Beginners!

How to Make Birria Tacos at Home: I love to have texture in my food. I like meat juicy, I like bread soft, and my tacos crunchy. And if there is one item that I love eating these days, it is an authentic birria taco.

And considering the fact that I cannot always keep traveling, I must learn how to make the food, the authentic way.

THAT is why I started learning how to make birria tacos at home. And, since I did, I have been making it twice a week for dinner!

Easy to make and really delicious, birria tacos are authentic to Mexico. With their spicy and tangy meat filling, there is nothing better than this one when you are really craving flavor!

If you are interested in giving your palette a trip to Mexico, then this is the recipe that you must try out

Birria Taco: What is That?

A traditional Mexican cuisine that has gained a lot of popularity is the birria taco. It’s a particular kind of taco that has birria— a flavorful, mildly spicy stew— filled inside. And that is exactly what the name of the taco means!

Although goat meat is typically used to make the stew, chicken, lamb, or beef can also be utilized. 

Furthermore, there’s consomé. It is a deep red broth made from slow-cooked, extremely tender meat that is spiced with a complex blend of spices and peppers. Apart from that, the meat is shredded and then placed into tortillas to form birria tacos.

Besides, there’s a unique twist: the tortillas are dipped in the consomé before being filled, which gives them a bright crimson color and additional taste. 

After that, they are crispily pan-fried. Additionally, cheese is frequently used inside tacos to create a delightful meltiness.

Similar to a French dip sandwich, a birria taco is served with a side of the consomé for dipping. In this manner, each bite is succulent and flavorful. 

With a tinge of earthiness from the meat and a symphony of spices like oregano, thyme, and marjoram, birria has a rich and moderately spicy flavor. Moreover, some recipes may even use cloves or cinnamon to provide a hint of sweetness.

7 Best Birria Taco Recipes for Beginners

Like I said before, I fell in love with this taco variation once I made it for the first time. It was all over the internet at first— the bright red stained taco. And now it is always in my fridge!

Therefore, now that you are aware of what a birria taco is and wat makes it different from all other tacos, it is time for you to learn how to make it at home.

Here are the top seven recipes that are easy to make and are great for even the laziest of us:

1. Classic Beef Birria Taco

Ingredients

• Dried chile peppers (guajillo, ancho, and chile de arbol)
• Beef chuck roast
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh garlic
• Whole cloves
• Cinnamon
• Cumin
• Thyme
• Marjoram
• Oregano
• Olive oil
• Roma tomatoes
• White vinegar
• Corn tortillas
• Onion and cilantro for garnish

Directions

Here is a step-by-step guide on cooking the taco:

1. Prepare the Sauce: Firstly, boil the dried peppers for 5 minutes, then let them soak until the water cools. After that, blend the soaked peppers with tomatoes, vinegar, and spices to make the sauce.
2. Cook the Beef: Secondly, season the beef with salt and pepper. Then, sear it in a pot with olive oil until all sides are browned. Furthermore, pour the chile sauce over the meat and cook covered on low heat until the meat is tender and falls apart, basting often.
3. Assemble the Taco: Lastly, shred the cooked beef. Dip corn tortillas in the consomé (the cooking broth) to coat them. Fill the tortillas with beef, onions, cilantro, and cheese if desired. Finally, fry the tacos until crispy.

2. CreamyChicken Birria Taco

Ingredients

• Boneless chicken thighs (or a whole chicken)
• Onion, garlic bulb, carrot, celery
• Bay leaves
• Guajillo chiles (or Ancho chiles)
• Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (optional for extra heat)
• Dried oregano, ground cumin
• Salt and black pepper
• Chicken broth/stock
• Sugar (a pinch)
• Flour tortillas (or corn tortillas)
• Melting cheese (like mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or Gouda)
• Diced white onion, fresh cilantro, fresh jalapeños
• Lime wedges for serving

Directions

Here is a step-by-step guide on cooking the taco:

1. Prepare the Chicken and Broth: Firstly, combine chicken, vegetables, chiles, and spices in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 30 minutes. Then remove the chiles and blend with 2 cups of broth, then pour back into the pot. Additionally, cook for another 45 minutes to 1 hour until the chicken is tender and shreds easily.
2. Make the Tacos: Secondly, shred the cooked chicken and strain the broth and keep it warm. Dip tortillas into the broth, then place in a hot pan. Add shredded chicken, cheese, and diced onion to one half of the tortilla. Lastly, fold over and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until the cheese has melted.

3. Slow Cooker Birria Tacos

Ingredients

• Beef chuck roast (about 3 pounds)
• Salt and black pepper
• Dried Guajillo chiles and Arbol chiles
• Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (optional for extra heat)
• Fire roasted tomatoes
• Tomato paste
• Seasonings: cumin, garlic, cloves, Mexican oregano, coriander, smoked paprika, thyme, dried onion, cinnamon sticks
• Fresh lime juice
• Bay leaves
• Fresh onion
• Beef broth
• Vegetable oil, canola oil, or avocado oil
• Corn tortillas
• Freshly chopped cilantro and red onion for topping

Directions

Here is a step-by-step guide on cooking the taco:

1. Prepare the Meat: First thing to do is to season the chuck roast with salt and pepper. After that, sear the meat in a hot skillet on all sides until browned.
2. Make the Sauce: Blend the chiles, tomatoes, tomato paste, and seasonings with some beef broth to create a smooth sauce.
3. Cook in Slow Cooker: Place the seared meat in the slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the meat. Add bay leaves and onion. Furthermore, cook on low for about 9 hours or on high for 4.5 hours until the meat is tender and shreds easily.
4. Assemble the Tacos: Lastly, shred the cooked meat. Dip tortillas in the broth from the slow cooker. Fill tortillas with meat, fold in half, and pan-fry in a little oil until crispy. Serve with chopped cilantro and red onion on top.

4. Instant Pot Birria Taco

Ingredients

• Beef (chuck roast, shank, or short ribs)
• Dried Guajillo chiles, Ancho chiles, and Chile de Arbol
• Garlic, onions
• Spices: cumin, oregano, cloves, cinnamon
• Apple cider vinegar
• Beef broth
• Salt and pepper
• Corn tortillas
• Oaxaca cheese or mozzarella (for quesabirria tacos)
• Fresh cilantro, diced onions, and lime wedges for garnish

Directions

Here is a step-by-step guide on cooking the taco:

1. Prepare the Chiles: Firstly, remove stems and seeds from the chiles and cut them into smaller pieces.
2. Toast the Chiles: Secondly, put the chiles in the Instant Pot and use the “Saute” function to toast them lightly.
3. Cook the Meat: Season the beef with salt and pepper and sear it using the “Saute” function until browned. After that, blend the toasted chiles with garlic, onions, spices, vinegar, and some beef broth to create a sauce. Additionally, pour the sauce over the beef, add the rest of the broth, and cook under high pressure for 45 minutes.
4. Assemble the Tacos: Lastly, release the pressure and shred the beef. Dip tortillas in the birria broth, fill them with beef and cheese, and fry until crispy. Finally, garnish with cilantro, onions, and serve with lime wedges.

5. Quesabirria Tacos

Ingredients

• Beef (chuck roast and short ribs work well)
• Dried Guajillo chiles
• Dried Arbol chiles (for heat)
• Garlic
• Onion
• Carrots
• Bay leaves
• Chicken bouillon
• Chili powder
• Mexican oregano
• Ground cumin
• Salt
• Corn tortillas
• Quesadilla cheese or another good melting cheese like mozzarella
• Fresh cilantro and lime juice for garnish
• Diced white onion for garnish

Directions

Here is a step-by-step guide on cooking the taco:

1. Prepare the Meat and Broth: Firstly. boil water and add chunks of beef, onion, garlic, carrot, and bay leaves. Add the chiles after removing stems and seeds. Stir in chicken bouillon, chili powder, oregano, cumin, and salt. Finally, simmer until the meat is tender and falls apart.
2. Make the Consommé: Secondly, remove the meat and blend the broth with the cooked chiles and vegetables to create a smooth consommé. 
3. Assemble the Tacos: Thirdly, shred the cooked beef. Then dip corn tortillas in the consommé and place it on a hot griddle. Furthermore, add beef and cheese to the tortillas, fold them, and cook until crispy. Lastly, garnish with cilantro, onion, and a squeeze of lime juice.

6. Spicy Birria Tacos with Sunny Side Up

Ingredients

• Beef chuck roast or short ribs
• Dried Guajillo chiles
• Dried Arbol chiles (for extra heat)
• Garlic cloves
• White onion
• Apple cider vinegar
• Ground cumin, dried oregano, bay leaves
• Beef or chicken broth
• Salt and pepper
• Corn tortillas
• Shredded cheese (like Oaxaca or mozzarella)
• Eggs (one per taco)
• Fresh cilantro, diced onions, and lime wedges for garnish

Directions

Here is a step-by-step guide on cooking the taco:

1. Prepare the Birria: Firstly, season the beef with salt and pepper. Toast the dried chiles in a dry pan until they turn fragrant, then soak them in hot water. Furthermore, blend the soaked chiles with garlic, onion, vinegar, and spices to create a sauce. Cook the beef in the sauce with broth in a pot until tender and shreddable (about 3 hours).
2. Make the Tacos: Secondly, shred the cooked beef. Dip tortillas in the birria broth, then fill them with beef and cheese. Finally, fry the tacos in a pan until crispy.
3. Cook the Eggs: In a separate pan, fry eggs sunny side up.
4. Assemble: Finally, top each taco with a sunny side up egg. Moreover, you can garnish with cilantro, onions, and a squeeze of lime juice.

7. Vege Birria Taco

Ingredients

• Oyster mushrooms (shredded)
• Dried Guajillo chiles
• Dried Arbol chiles (for heat, optional)
• Garlic cloves
• White onion
• Apple cider vinegar
• Ground cumin, dried oregano, bay leaves
• Vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper
• Corn tortillas
• Vegan cheese (optional)
• Fresh cilantro, diced onions, and lime wedges for garnish

Directions

Here is a step-by-step guide on cooking the taco:

1. Prepare the Chiles: Firstly, remove stems and seeds from the chiles. Then soak them in hot water until they’re rehydrated.
2. Make the Sauce: Secondly, roast onions and garlic under the broiler until charred. Blend the chiles, roasted onions, garlic, vinegar, and spices with some vegetable broth to create a sauce.
3. Cook the Mushrooms: Thirdly, sauté shredded oyster mushrooms with a bit of oil, garlic powder, and salt. Add the sauce and cook until the mushrooms are tender and flavorful.
4. Assemble the Tacos: Lastly, dip tortillas in the sauce, then fill them with the mushroom mixture and vegan cheese. Fry the tacos until crispy. Finally, garnish with cilantro, onions, and a squeeze of lime juice.

Wrapping It Up!

Birria tacos are an experience as much as a delicious food. Moreover, it is difficult to forget the warm, spicy broth, the tender, tasty beef, and the crispy taco shell when combined. Besides, it is a great option for a filling and cozy dinner. 

And if you are someone who is into spices, this is a going to be a go-to dish. It embodies the essence of Mexican food, blending basic ingredients with age-old cooking techniques to produce an incredibly unique flavor.

So, do try out the recipes and let us know which one you liked the most! All you need to do is scroll down till you reach the bottom of the page and then leave your comments there!

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