The Best Birria Tacos Recipe
Birria tacos are all the rage right now, and for good reason! The meat in these fried tacos is tender and savory, while the tortilla is covered in flavorful marinade. My favorite part?! All of the fresh cheese and cilantro on top! After just one bite of these juicy, delicious beef tacos, you’ll be obsessed
Food trends come and go, but birria tacos aren’t leaving my kitchen any time soon. I love making these for taco Tuesdays… and Wednesdays, Thursdays, etc.! Although they’re just a weeknight dinner in my house right now, I can’t wait to make a huge batch of these tacos for a party one day.
Why? Because truly, these birria tacos are the ultimate crowd pleaser. They’re a little bit messy, a whole lot of delicious, and super fun to enjoy! This is a dinner that kids love, because they can really dig in and not worry about their table manners.
Having family in the Dallas area has allowed me to try all the Tex Mex food, like this Chicken al Pastor, and that’s where my love for Birria Tacos was born. I could, seriously, eat them every day with a fresh margarita alongside. The crispy outside with gooey, melt-in-your-mouth filling is just a dream to bite into. This recipe is made with cheese so it’s, technically, quesabirria tacos. A little like a quesadilla but infinitely better.
Ingredients
- Meat – Traditionally, Birria is made with goat meat but we use beef for this recipe to make it easier for your to find at your local grocery store.
- Chiles – I like to use a combination of dried, reconstituted ancho chili peppers, guajillo chiles and canned chipotle peppers in adobo. The blend of flavors gives the perfect balance of heat and flavor.
- Vinegar – I use apple cider vinegar for a hint of sweetness.
- Tomato Paste – Don’t skip this step, the rich, caramelized flavor adds depth to the stew.
- Garlic – This recipe calls for 5 cloves but if you’re a garlic lover, the more the merrier.
- Spices – Mexican Oregano, smoked paprika, cumin and cayenne are all favorites here. We also add cinnamon sticks and whole cloves based on a recipe from a friend in Playa del Carmen but you can leave it out, if you prefer.
- Tortillas – Corn tortillas fry up crispy as they should.
- Cheese – I love Oaxaca cheese because it’s gooey and melty perfection then top with crumbled queso fresco for a salty hit.
- Lime – We love to squeeze a little fresh lime juice on our Birria Taco before serving for a hit of freshness.
For the full ingredient list and instructions, see the recipe card below.
How to Make Birria Stew
There are two important steps to making these impossibly crispy tacos – first, you have to make the stew (Birria de Res), then you can make the actual tacos.
It may seem a bit laborious, but I promise this birria tacos recipe is worth both the hype they receive and the effort you’ll put into them! My husband said they are “other level” tacos.
You can even enjoy the stew as it is with some crusty bread for dipping but go the extra step and make the tacos when you have a spare few more minutes.
- Season. Using just salt and pepper, season the chuck roast and short ribs, then set them aside.
- Soak. Bring a pot of water to a boil, then remove it from the heat. Soak the guajillo peppers and ancho chiles for about 10 minutes before removing the peppers from the water. Once removed, cut off the stem and remove the seeds.
- Blend. Toss the peppers into a blender, and blend them with one chipotle pepper, all of the adobo sauce, apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, garlic, oregano, paprika, cumin and cayenne. Blend the mixture together until it’s nice and smooth!
- Marinate the meat. Place the seasoned meat in a large container before soaking it in the marinade. Let the meat marinate overnight for best results.
- Braise the meat. Cook the onions with olive oil in a large dutch oven over medium-high heat until they’re soft. Transfer the meat and marinade to the pot, then stir in the cinnamon sticks, cloves and beef stock or beef broth. Cover, and transfer to a preheated oven or simmer over low heat. Braise the beef for 3 hours.
- Remove and shred. Remove the birria stew from the oven and skim off some of the fat from the braising liquid. Don’t throw the fat away, though! You’ll need it to cook the tacos. Remove the stew meat and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded beef to the pot and stir to combine.
How to Make Birria Tacos
- Heat the tortillas. Heat up the reserved fat in a skillet over medium heat. Then, dip the tortillas in the stew before tossing them onto the hot pan.
- Fry. Top the hot tortilla with Oaxaca cheese. When the cheese melts, add the shredded meat and fold one side of the tortilla over the other. Fry it until it’s crispy! Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
- Serve with the flavorful broth for dipping and sprinkled with fresh cilantro and cheese.
If you can’t find Oaxaca cheese which is like a Mexican mozzarella, you can substitute with Colby Jack or regular mozzarella. Either way you’ll end up with the best birria tacos filled with melty cheese.
What is a Birria Taco
If you’ve never had a birria taco before, you’re in for such a treat. Birria is actually a Mexican stew from the state of Jalisco. Traditional birria is made with goat meat, it’s simmered in a pepper based adobo, garlic, cumin bay leaves and other seasonings.
You can enjoy it as a stew or turn it into Birria Tacos which are wildly popular right now due to a number of taco trucks serving them across the country.
You eat these perfectly tender fried tacos by dipping them in a homemade stew broth that is SO jam packed with mouthwatering flavor, you’ll want to drink it with a straw.
The process may look long but I promise you will not be disappointed and you can break it up by making the stew ahead of time.
Next time you’re in the mood for tacos, skip the usual ground beef taco and flour tortillas. Instead, try this insanely irresistible recipe for birria tacos.
Best Sides to Serve with Birria Tacos
For garnishes, top the tacos with chopped white onion, queso fresco, and cilantro. Of course, a freshly cut lime is always great to squeeze over the tacos, too. On the side, make sure everyone has a little cup of stew broth for dipping! No birria taco is ever complete without being dipped into that incredibly addictive broth.
You can also round out the taco spread with some fresh guacamole , salsa and pico de Gallo.
How to Store Leftovers
Transfer the Birria stew to airtight containers and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
You can also freeze leftover birria in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
How To Make Them Spicy
While birria tacos already have a spicy kick, there are certainly more ways to add some extra heat. For starters, you could always garnish your tacos with some freshly chopped jalapeños! Additionally, you could add Serrano or Scotch Bonnet peppers to the marinade if you really want to make it extra spicy.
More Easy Taco Recipes
- Thai Chicken Tacos with Spicy Peanut Sauce
- Barbecue Pork Rib Tacos with Honey Lime Slaw
- Slow Cooker Beef Tacos
- Slow Cooker Maple Balsamic Pork Tacos with Celery Root and Apple Slaw
- Grilled Shrimp Tacos
- Breakfast Tacos
- Mexican Shredded Beef
- Carne Asada
For more easy family favorite recipe ideas, follow us on Instagram!
Get the Recipe: Birria Tacos Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless chuck roast, cut into 2 inch cubes
- 1 pound boneless beef short ribs, but into 2 inch cubes
For the Marinade
- 4 dried guajillo peppers
- 2 dried ancho chili peppers
- 1 can chipotle peppers in adobo
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 5 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
For the Stew
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
- 32 onces beef stock
For the Tacos
- 12 4" corn tortillas
- 1 1/2 cup Oaxaca cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup chopped onion, optional
- 1/2 cup Queso Fresco, crumbled
- Fresh Cilantro, chopped
Equipment
- skillet
Instructions
To Make the Stew
- Season the chuck roast and short ribs with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and remove from the heat.
- Soak the guajillo and ancho chilis for 10 minutes.
- Remove the peppers from the water. Cut off the stem and remove the seeds.
- Put the peppers into the pitcher of a blender. Add one chipotle pepper, all of the adobo sauce, apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, garlic, oregano, paprika, cumin and cayenne.
- Blend the marinade until smooth.
- Place the meat in a large container and cover with the marinade. Toss to coat. Cover and marinade for 4 hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 300˚F.
- Heat the olive oil to a large dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the onions and cook until softened.
- Transfer the meat and all of the marinade to the pot.
- Stir in the cinnamon sticks, cloves and beef stock.
- Cover and transfer to the oven. Braise the meat for 3 hours.
- Remove the Birria stew from the oven and skim off some of the fat. Reserve the fat to cook the tacos.
- With a slotted spoon, remove the stew meat to a platter and shred with two forks.
- Return the meat to the pot and stir to combine.
To Make the Tacos
- Add one tablespoon of the reserved fat to a large skillet and heat over medium high heat.
- Dip the tortillas in the stew and add the tortillas to the heated skillet. (You may have to work one at a time depending on how big your skillet is.)
- Immediately top the tortilla with the shredded Oaxaca cheese. When the cheese has melted, add some of the shredded beef and fold one side of the tortilla over the other. Fry until crisp.
- Using a spatula, transfer the taco to a platter and keep warm.
- Repeat with the remaining tortillas. (You will have leftover Birria meat. Save for another dinner.)
- Top the finished Birria Tacos with chopped onion, queso Fresco, or cilantro, if desired.
- Serve with some of the stew broth for dipping!
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33 Comments on “The Best Birria Tacos Recipe”
Wonderful! I made this recipe into birria tamales. Saved the broth and toned it down (due to the cinnamon and clove) with a mixture of plain homemade beef stock. I served the tamales in a bowl of the broth, with fresh lime juice and a handful of grated cheese (which melts in the broth). Chopped onion and cilantro would also be good. I was a little impatient with mixing the masa (I get it unprepared so I can make it with butter instead of lard), so it came out a little on the hard side, so I will try cooking a tamal in some boiling birria broth after the tamal comes out of the steamer. I also used some lamb drippings and rendered lamb fat that I had saved, to incorporate into the masa for more flavor. And of course, I had friends over to help me. Tamale party! One thing I would suggest is linking to a homemade adobada spice mix recipe for those who would like to go that route and maybe just use a little chipotle powder. I have a baggie in the freezer now of all of the rest of the chipotle chilies from the can.
Thank you so much for your suggestion of tamales! That is brilliant! Also, I will create a homemade adobada spice to link, too. I do have one!
Looks good but the meat needs to be doubled at least if you are going through all the work. Who uses 1 pound of chuck roast for anything?
I can’t wait to make these tacos and stew!!
I can almost taste them now!!!
It’s incredibly flavor packed! You will love it!
Thank you
You’re welcome! Enjoy!
HI! These look so yummy! Can I just use short ribs? Thank you!
Hi Ali! Yes, short ribs would be even better!
I don’t see exact measurements?!?!?!?
In the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
How long in a crockpot to cook the meat?
You can cook for 8 hours on low or 6 hours on high.
There are a few steps for making these tacos, but it’s well worth the time. The flavor is fantastic.
I have never tried these kinds of tacos before, and this is amazing! thank you for sharing!
You’re very welcome!
My mouth is watering!! Love these tacos!! The meat is so tender, it just falls apart & that shell…it’s my favorite!!
These tacos were the best I have had in a long time, thanks for the great meal.
Thank you for trying them!
How much water goes into the pot for the peppers?
You only need about a cup or so just so they’re submerged.
These Tacos are one of our faves! We always save them for lazy weekend so we can let the meat braise extra long! The flavor is amazing!
They are definitely the best weekend tacos. Thank you so much for your comment!
These were divine, so tender and juicy, I love all of the spices in it! The whole family loved this dinner!
I’m so happy you enjoyed them!
I accidentally put the whole can of chipotle peppers in the blender for marinade , will that ruin it ??
It will be VERY spicy!
Why have I never heard of these before? These were incredible! The flavor ….oh that flavor! Lip smacking good. My husband is in love with these and I think I might be, too! So good. Wow.
Thank you so much! They are pretty amazing if I do say so myself.