15 Amazing Birria Tacos Recipes

homemade beef birria tacos, mexican food
Table of Contents

Dried peppers, chuck roast, shredded meat, corn tortillas, and a series of 5 stars birria tacos recipes is what this post is all about. There are so many ways to prepare birria tacos, your only problem will be how to choose which way to make yours.

Get out your slow cooker and get ready to make a birria stew in beef broth using beef chuck roast, dried peppers, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, bay leaves, crushed tomatoes, ancho chiles, Oaxacan cheese, and more.

When the cheese melts over medium heat the stew meat will be so tender you will think your taste buds died and gone to heaven.

Birria Taco Recipes List

Here is the amazing recipe list we have put together. Please comment on which of these are your favorites.

1. Easy Slow Cooker Birria De Res

Easy Slow Cooker Birria de Res - Muy Bueno Cookbook

From our friends at Muy Bueno Cookbook check out this easy slow cooker birria tacos recipes. Make sure you roll that “R” when you talk about this dish because it is very traditional.

While this birria de res recipe does take a bit of time, I can guarantee that it is neither difficult to pull off nor does it require any fancy equipment. You can use any slow cooker and cook on medium heat.

Muy Bueno has also made sure to tailor the recipe to ingredients that can easily be sourced from a regular U.S. grocery store. For example, smoked paprika and chipotle pepper can be found anywhere, but more traditional dried chiles, Mexican oregano, chiles de arbol, and other dried chiles can be harder to come by.

Sometimes you can find Mexican oregano at your farmers market but it’ really depends on where you are located.

Click here to try this Birria Tacos Recipe

2. Crock-Pot Birria Tacos Recipe

Crock Pot Birria Tacos Recipe

From Jawns I Cooked: Make your own Birria with this delicious and juicy crockpot recipe! Slow-cook the beef birria all day, then combine the beef stock with some of its fat to make a wonderful Consommé.

For the ultimate Taco Tuesday, fry up Quesabirrias made with shredded cheese, diced onion, ancho chiles, and fresh chopped cilantro!

Add the shredded beef and chiles de arbol to either corn or flour tortillas. Serve with a side of lime wedges and enjoy. We personally prefer a corn tortilla but the lime wedges are a must!

Click here to try this “5 Stars” birria tacos recipe.

3. THE BEST BEEF BIRRIA AND BIRRIA QUESATACOS

The BEST Beef Birria and Birria Quesatacos -Step by Step Photos

From House of Yum: This delicious beef birria is a rich and flavorful stew that’s great served with onion, cilantro, chipotle pepper, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

OR Make Quesabirria tacos by frying up some of the meat! These are THE most FAMOUS tacos around! The shredded beef stews in the beef stock and then is added to the skillet over medium heat.

The Short Ribs (Bone-in) can be substituted for any cut of meat like boneless chuck roast, or simply shredded beef. You do need the bone for the broth but you can always substitute beef stock for that as well.

Click here to try this “5 Stars” birria tacos recipe.

4. Birria Quesatacos Con Consomé

Birria Quesatacos Con Consomé

From Deep Fried Honey: These Birria Quesatacos are incredibly delicious, with a crispy texture and loads of flavor. For a little bit of freshness, top them with red onion pickled in lime juice and chopped cilantro. Make them with Oaxaca cheese and serve with a side of lime wedges.

Short ribs are great for this recipe, but you can always use shredded beef.

Click here to try this “5 Stars” birria tacos recipe.

5. Birria Tacos From A Cozy Kitchen

Birria Tacos - A Cozy Kitchen

From A Cozy Kitchen: This Birria Tacos dish is spectacular, with a meaty, cheesy texture. It starts with braising a birria de rez and then cooking down the consomé to make a soup. Oaxaca cheese is used to make tacos with it.

Click here to try this “5 Stars” birria tacos recipe.

6. Birria Quesatacos With Consomé (+Video!)

From Butter Be Ready: There is a reason that Birria Quesatacos have become so popular all over the world. They are made with tender beef birria that is shredded and pan fried. The meat is then put inside of corn tortillas and topped with oaxaca cheese. Finally, the tortillas are dipped in a consomé (a flavorful beef broth).

Gather your ingredients and get ready to make these incredible birria tacos at home!

Click hBirria Quesatacos With Consoméere to try this “5 Stars” birria tacos recipe.

7. Amazing Birria Tacos Recipe – TACOS DE BIRRIA

Amazing Birria Tacos Recipe - Tacos de Birria - Best Beef Recipes

From Best Beef Recipes: This Beef Birria Tacos recipe is fantastic! It has all of the tastes you want in a birria dish, with earthy and spicy undertones and fall-apart tender chuck roast beef and Mexican oaxacan cheese.

Click here to try this “5 Stars” birria tacos recipe.

8. BIRRIA TACOS WITH CONSOMME

Birria Tacos with Consomme

From Sweet Tea and Thyme: Birria tacos are popular because they are juicy, cheesy, and crispy. Birria de res is slow-cooked with spices and chiles. The meat is then put into a corn tortilla with cilantro, onion, and Oaxaca cheese. The tortilla is then fried in a pan until it is crispy and the Oaxacan cheese is melted.

The Oaxacan cheese perfectly melts over the beef stew, creating a Mexican creme. This rich stew with minced garlic, guajillo chiles, and other dried chiles is absolutely delicious. In fact, these are likely the best birria tacos with shredded beef and guajillo peppers on the internet right now.

Click here to try this “5 Stars” birria tacos recipe.

9. Authentic Birria Tacos Recipe

Authentic Birria Tacos Recipe - Cooking with Cocktail Rings

From Cooking with Cocktail Rings: Chunks of chuck roast are cooked in a beef broth with spices. The meat is then dipped in the spiced cooking liquid before it is pan-fried. This gives the tacos their deep red color. Throw some oaxaca cheese on the corn tortillas and you have the perfect Mexican dish.

Click here to try this “5 Stars” birria tacos recipe.

10. Beef Birria Tacos

Beef Birria Tacos - The Modern Proper

From The Modern Proper: Birria tacos are one of the most popular tacos on the internet right now. People love them because they are very juicy and beefy. They are also very simple to make, which makes them delicious.

Once you know how to make beef birria, you can make tacos with it whenever you want.

Click here to try this “5 Stars” birria tacos recipe.

11. Beef BIRRIA (Birria de Res)

The BEST Beef Birria and Quesa Birria

From Carlsbad Cravings: The Beef Birria and Birria Taco dish will absolutely blow your mind. Each and every spicy mouthful is an explosion of earthy, smokey, juicy, cheesy, crispy pleasure.

The Birria Tacos are a beef braised in a rich, complex chili sauce until fall-apart tender, stuffed into broth-battered corn tortillas with ooey-gooey Oaxaca cheese, pan-fried until crispy, and dunked in the deep crimson Birria consomé (broth) for a saucy unique taste.

Birria tacos are a popular food trend that is here to stay. In this linked recipe, you will learn how to make birria de res (beef birria), which you can serve as a stew with onions, cilantro, and fresh lime juice. You will also learn how to turn that same beef into queso birria tacos

Click here to try this “5 Stars” birria tacos recipe.

12. Braised Birria-Style Tri-Tip Tacos

Braised Birria-Style Tri-Tip Tacos

From Beef Loving Texans: This Birria tacos recipe is popular because they are juicy, cheesy, and crispy. It has 27,646 VIEWS at the time this post was published. Birria de res is slow-cooked with spices and chiles. The meat is then put into corn tortillas with cilantro, onion, and Oaxaca cheese. The shredded meat is then fried inside of the corn tortillas with chipotle peppers in a pan until it is crispy and the cheese is melted.

Then the chipotle peppers are placed in a food processor and blended slowly. adding reserved steeping liquid ¼ cup at a time until the paste has a smooth and thick consistency. This pepper paste can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.

Click here to try this “5 Stars” birria tacos recipe.

13. Birria Tacos (From Food and Wine)

Birria Tacos Recipe

From Food and Wine: The ideal combination of two meats (from the chuck roast and short ribs) offers a perfect balance of soft texture (from the chuck roast) and juiciness (from the short ribs). The adobo sauce lends flavor to these birria tacos as they cook.

Click here to try this “5 Stars” birria tacos recipe.

14. Birria Quesatacos (with Corn Tortillas)

Best Birria Quesatacos Recipe

From Delish: You may only have heard of birria in the last few years, but it’s been eaten across Mexico for generations, especially in its birthplace of Jalisco. Birria is a mainstay at major parties and cookouts as well as a great hangover remedy that is frequently consumed after said events.

Made with Oaxaca cheese, and a rich birria sauce, in a slow cooker, this recipe is sure to please the taste buds. Make extra sauce if you are looking for a dipping sauce.

Click here to try this “5 Stars” birria tacos recipe.

15. Birria Tacos (From Tasty)

Birria Tacos Recipe by Tasty

From Tasty: Birria tacos are popular because they are juicy, cheesy, and crispy. Birria de res is made is. a slow cooker with spices, chiles.

Birria may be a foreign word to some of you, but it’s actually an age-old dish. It originated in the Mexican state of Jalisco and is popular on special occasions.

Tasty has tried many changes to provide you with a birria tacos recipe that is well worth the effort (and mess). Serve the tacos with sliced radishes, chopped fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and, of course, some beef broth consomé for dipping.

The meat is then put onto corn tortillas with cilantro, onion, and Oaxaca cheese. The tortilla is then fried in a pan until it is crispy and the cheese is melted.

Click here to try this “5 Stars” birria tacos recipe.

What exactly are Birria tacos?

homemade beef birria tacos

Birria is a traditional dish from Jalisco, Mexico. It is made with goat, beef chuck roast, or lamb.

This dish is popular in Mexico for special occasions and holidays. It’s gained a lot of popularity in the United States recently, and for good reason. They’re loaded with flavor and make a fantastic supper for a group.

Burritos filled with a savory Mexican stew that combines sweet, salty, and sour tastes and is wrapped in a tortilla are called birria tacos.

Once the stew is stuffed into a taco shell, it’s battered in that same stew and then fried.

Beef Chuck Roast, Goat, or Mutton

Raw lamb or goat meat diced for stew with bone. Dark wooden background. Top view

Birria tacos are composed of slow-cooked beef, goat, or mutton that is flavored with a savory chili sauce. The meat is then shredded and stuffed into a tortilla.

What does it mean?

Birria is a Mexican dish from the state of Jalisco. The dish is a spicy stew, traditionally made from goat meat or mutton, but occasionally from beef or chicken.

The dish is often served as celebratory occasions, such as weddings and baptisms, and holidays, such as Christmas and Easter. It is also reputed as a hangover remedy.

The way that you prepare the dish varies. Be careful though, guajillo chilies, especially when cooked with a heavy red chile powder, can overwhelm the dish. The most common fillings include corn tortillas, onion, and lime.

Adobo Sauce

Typically, the meat is marinated in adobo sauce. Birrierias are restaurants or street carts that serve birria, which may be found throughout Mexico, particularly in Jalisco and Guadalajara’s capital city.

Adobo Sauce is a savory, spicy sauce used as a marinade or cooking sauce common in Mexican and Spanish cuisines.

The traditional Jalisco version is made with mutton or goat meat and not chuck roast. Chuck roast is typically what the dish is made with elsewhere.

The term “birria” is an iconic symbol of the tapatío culture and in particular the jalisciense. However, Mexican states have their own variations on the dish: the Zacatecas birria style and the Colima birria.

But why would we want to make this ourselves?

Two little girls in blue chef uniform have fun while preparing food on the kitchen

Because with so many different recipes out there you are bound to find one you enjoy. Plus they are so easy to make! The ingredients list is a tad longer though so be prepared to hit up the spice rack and pepper drawer.

You can make birria tacos at home tonight if you can get your hands on some of the ingredients.

Delicious Benefits of Eating Birria Tacos

homemade beef birria tacos

Birria tacos are a healthier alternative to most other taco recipes.  They contain leaner meats that are slow-cooked in a flavorful sauce that is made from dried pepper, cumin, garlic, and cloves.

The result is tender meat with less fat than what you would find in most other dishes. Additionally, birria tacos are packed with protein and more than half of your daily recommended amount of iron.

You can even serve them on their own or on top of a healthy salad to complete the meal.

Although you might think that this traditional dish is difficult to make, it’s actually quite easy.

What Birria tacos are made of?

They’re most often filled with goat meat, although they may also be made with whatever goat, beef, pork, or lamb you have on hand.

What is the birria taco sauce made of?

homemade beef birria tacos

A thin, red-hued sauce made with dried chili peppers, annatto paste, onion, Roma tomatoes, and spices is called charbroiled or burroa. This crimson sauce is then combined with the rest of the beef cooking liquid to make a delectable dipping sauce for the tacos.

What are beef birria tacos made of?

Braised beef meat stew with fresh parsley in pan

The braised meat inside a corn tortilla that’s been pan-fried in the fat that rises to the top of the birria is known as Birria Tacos (tacos de birria). The Birria Tacos are then topped with melty Oaxacan cheese (quesillo), cilantro, lime, and white onion.

A flavorful broth is the key to the beef birria tacos recipe as well as using a slow cooker to cook the birria meat. Whichever birria meat you choose be sure to cook on medium heat in a slow cooker with dried guajillo peppers and Mexican oregano.

We have put together a list of 15 different birria taco recipes from the best cooks and Mexican foodies around. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

How Do You Make Birria?

Lamb meat with rosemary and spices

Birria is made with lamb meat or beef usually in a slow cooker and served with corn tortillas. Most often, rib meat is what is used from the lamb, and the shank for beef, but you can use other cuts as well. You start by marinating the meat in a combination of guajillo, ancho, and chipotle peppers.

You will also use spices, such as cumin, thyme, Mexican oregano, marjoram, and cloves. Marinating allows the flavors to really penetrate the meat, which results in a tender and delicious final product.

Diced onions and chipotle peppers in adobo sauce really make these corn tortillas filled with chopped meat absolutely delicious.

You’ll want to serve it with your favorite toppings – diced onions, cilantro, and lime are some of the most popular. Plus, there are all kinds of salsas you can use too. A splash of apple cider vinegar and a cinnamon stick can help this birria stew develop into a very flavorful meal.

Chili Puree

Red chili peppers and chili sauce.

You will need to make a chili puree in order to bring out the best in this awesome recipe.

Most chili pastes/purees are there to bring out the flavor of shredded beef or birria beef. They are made with ancho chilies, dried guajillo chilies, garlic cloves, crushed tomatoes, water, red wine vinegar, thyme, oregano, cumin, allspice, and smoked paprika.

Dried Guajillo Peppers

Dried pepper .

The dried form of the guajillo chile is known as guajillos. They are one of Mexico’s most popular dried chilies.

They’re a type of chili that’s specifically grown in the San Luis Valley region of Colorado. They contain ancho chiles and chile de Arbol.

The flavor has been described as mild and sweet with hints of raisin, prune, and coffee. By cooking the guajillo chili in the pressure cooker, you can get more of their flavor out of them.

When these guajillos are dried, they are black in color. When you rehydrate them, they turn a bright red.

Kosher Salt (Better than Table Salt)

Vintage salt cellars with copy space.

Kosher salt is a type of salt that is often used in Jewish cuisine. It is also popular among chefs who appreciate its flavor and texture. Kosher salt typically contains no additives, unlike iodized table salt.

One of the main benefits of kosher salt is that it dissolves quickly. This makes it a good choice for use in recipes that call for a quick stir-in. Kosher salt also has a mild flavor that doesn’t overpower the other ingredients in a dish.

Iodized table salt is enriched with iodine, a mineral that is essential for human health. Iodine helps the body to produce thyroid hormones, which are important for proper growth and development. Many people do not get enough iodine in their diets, so it is important to have a healthy amount of iodine in iodized table salt.

Slow Cooker For the Win

Slow cooker beef for birria

A slow cooker can be very helpful in the kitchen, as they allow you to cook food slowly and evenly. This can be a great way to make sure that your food is cooked properly and doesn’t get dried out. A slow cooker can also be a great way to save time, as you can put your food in them in the morning and have it ready for dinner later in the day.

One of the best recipes to make in a slow cooker is the birria taco recipe. Birria tacos are delicious Mexican dishes that can be made with beef, goat, or lamb. The

Using your slow cooker ensures that the meat will be juicy and tender when you are ready to enjoy your tacos. This way, instead of spending a long time cooking in a crockpot, you only have to worry about browning the meat and adding all of your other ingredients.

Once you’ve taken out the cooked meat from the slow cooker, the birria taco meat will only need to be reheated for a few minutes. This ensures that it won’t dry out during this time.

What is Oaxaca Cheese? (“wah-ha-kah”)

Homemade Mexican Chorizo Queso Oaxaca Dip

Oaxaca cheese is a type of cow’s milk cheese that is similar to mozzarella. It is made in Mexico and is known for its creamy, stringy texture. Oaxaca cheese is a great addition to Mexican dishes and can be used in tacos, burritos, or enchiladas.

Oaxaca cheese has a slightly nutty, tangy flavor and is very mild. It can be used in place of mozzarella and is great for slicing. Oaxaca cheese can be used to make quesadillas or other cheesy Mexican dishes.

Substitute Beef with Goat

Raw lamb or goat shoulder meat in a baking dish with knife and meat fork.

Goat birria is a traditional Mexican dish made from slow-cooking goat and spicy tomato and chili broth. It’s usually served with fresh onion, cilantro, and warm corn tortillas. Goat has a similar taste to beef but is slightly sweeter and softer in texture.

Goat meat is healthier than beef which makes it a better substitute. Goat contains a substantial amount of protein and is a good source of Vitamin B12. Compared to other meats, goat has a very low-fat content which makes it an excellent alternative for beef chuck roast.

Beef birria is another Mexican dish made from slow-cooking beef in a spicy tomato broth. It’s usually served with fresh onion, cilantro, and warm corn tortillas. Beef has a similar taste to goat but is slightly tougher in texture.

Beef meat contains a substantial amount of protein and is a good source of Vitamin B12. Compared to other meats, beef meat has a very high-fat content which makes it not an ideal substitute for goat.

Try the Recipes in an Instant Pot, Dutch Oven or Pressure Cooker

Medium heat is the main requirement for this dish. It can’t be high or low. It needs to simmer for hours so keep that in mind when you decide which way you want to cook it!

  • Instant pot: 35 minutes
  • Dutch oven: 4 hours over medium heat
  • Pressure cooker: 20 minutes on high pressure, maintaining the pressure for an additional hour

This is a recipe for beef stew called birria, which hails from the state of Jalisco, Mexico. Traditionally this dish uses goat meat and it’s typically slow-cooked in an adobe oven or crockpot.

If you don’t have one of those available to you, you can try out each of those methods using an instant pot, a dutch oven, or a slow cooker.

The best result will probably come from the dutch oven as it’s made for cooking at low temperatures and getting tender results.

However you make this dish, you’ll need some time to let it all simmer away! So be sure to set aside about 7-8 hours to cook this recipe.

Should I add Apple Cider Vinegar and Cinnamon Stick to the Instant Pot?

apple cider vinegar

Yes, you should add both to the instant pot. They will only take a few minutes to cook with all the other ingredients and they will help deepen the flavor of your stew.

Do I Have To Brown The Meat Before Slow Cooker Recipes?

Chunks of Stew Beef

You don’t have to brown the meat before adding it to a slow cooker recipe but you’re going to get more flavor in your dish if you do.

How long can I store Slow Cooker Recipes in the fridge?

You should only keep slow cooker recipes in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze them (if they’ll keep longer than that before becoming freezer-burned) for up to 6 months.

What is the best kind of meat for a Birria Slow Cooker Recipe?

Raw meat. The various meats of pork and beef.

Beef, goat, or lamb are all good choices for a birria slow cooker recipe. Short ribs are also perfect for making birria tacos because they’re rich, tender, and full of flavor. Short ribs meat falls off the bone when cooked properly so they’re easy to eat without much chewing.

Beef birria is another Mexican dish made from slow-cooking shredded beef in a spicy tomato broth. It’s usually served with fresh onion, cilantro, and warm corn tortillas. Beef has a similar taste to goat but is slightly tougher in texture.

It can be seasoned with Mexican oregano and other spices and herbs such as cilantro, black pepper, salt, and bay leaves.

You can also use lamb for this recipe if you want to try something different! Be sure to cut the meat into small cubes before cooking it. Lamb meat tends to be a bit tougher than goat or beef so it may not get as tender.

Shredded Beef VS. Short Ribs

Raw short beef ribs on wooden board

Shredded beef has a similar taste to goat but is slightly tougher in texture.

Short ribs are also perfect for making birria tacos because they’re rich, tender, and full of flavor. Short ribs meat falls off the bone when cooked properly so they’re easy to eat without much chewing.

You should choose BOTH. Make tacos with both beef and short ribs and you decide which one you like the best.

Cinnamon Stick Added For Extra Spice.

Cinnamon sticks

When you cook a cinnamon stick in a skillet over medium heat, you really bring out the flavor of Mexican spices. Cinnamon can be added to rice, tea or ideally birria. The taste of the cinnamon is slightly sweet and the aroma is alluring.

When making tacos with birria it is key to add a spice that brings out all the flavors of meats and broth together. There are two common spices used when cooking birria: cumin and coriander. Both spices are commonly used in Mexican cuisine for their unique smell and flavor. These spices blend well with meat, particularly beef or goat.

Though these two spices are great they aren’t the only ones that can be added to bring out birria’s best flavors. Cilantro is an excellent option; it provides good contrast between the flavors of the meats and broth. Cilantro is best when added to birria during cooking time, its flavor will remain strong.

One of the most common spices used is oregano. Oregano is a good spice for birria because it can be added at any point during the cooking time without losing its rich flavors. It also gives a nice kick to an otherwise mild-tasting dish. Add bay leaves for even more flavor.

While birria is traditionally made with goat, there are a few other options for those looking for variety. Beef and lamb are common meats used since they have complementary flavors that blend well together. In order to ensure that beef or lamb tastes as good as it can be, marinating the meat is key.

Marinating beef or lamb for birria should include three common Mexican spices: lemon juice, garlic, and salt. If you have all three of these ingredients you are sure to have a delicious marinade for your meat. You can also add onions if desired, but this isn’t necessary.

Once your meat has been thoroughly marinated the next step is to cook it. Traditionally birria is cooked in a spicy broth, which can be time-consuming. You will need to prepare your broth early on so that it has enough time for flavors to blend.

blue cooking pot isolated

If you’re looking for an easier way to make beef birria all you have to do is throw everything into a crockpot. This way you don’t have to worry about constantly checking on your ingredients or making sure they are not boiling. If you want an even simpler method, using the crockpot is the best choice because it can be left alone for up to five hours.

If you’re feeling ambitious and would like to prepare different kinds of birria then start by making a broth. All birria is made with the same ingredients: meat, water, garlic and salt. However, you can add your own spices to give it different flavors.

Although beef and lamb are the most popular meats used when cooking birria they aren’t the only ones people use today. Goat remains the most common meat used but those looking for a change often use chicken or pork instead. Making roasted tacos with birria is an excellent way to give your taco night a new twist.

Use a Large Dutch Oven

Onions are sautéing in a blue iron pot, Dutch oven, on a stovetop

You can cook birria using a large dutch oven if you have one. Simply place it on the stove, add in the liquids and seasonings, and simmer for hours until the meat is tender enough to pull apart with a fork.

Add Peppers or Spices

Get a small bowl and add in some chopped peppers or spices after several hours of cooking if you would like your birria spicier. Stir them in the small bowl and add some bay leaves. The bay leaves help to baste the meat while it’s cooking, which keeps it tender and flavorful

Put on Tacos or Burritos

Guacamole

Birria is delicious on tacos with fresh guacamole, pico de Gallo sliced, jalapeños, cilantro leaves, and lime juice! You can also make burritos of any kind using this meat.

Cook Short Ribs in a Slow Cooker

To cook short ribs in a slow cooker, add the ingredients and put them on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. The result is tender and succulent beef that comes apart with ease. This makes it perfect to use when making taco salads and burritos!

Conclusion

Thanks for reading the post. Be sure to leave a comment and follow the links above to decide which birria tacos recipe you are going to make tonight.

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