09/03/2026
Crispy Beef Birria Tacos 🌮
Ingredients
For the beef:
1.5 kg beef chuck roast, cut into large pieces
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 dried guajillo chilies
2 dried ancho chilies
2 medium tomatoes
1 large onion, quartered
6 garlic cloves
750 ml beef stock
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 bay leaves
1½ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
For the tacos:
12 small corn tortillas
300 g shredded mozzarella or Oaxaca cheese
1 small white onion, finely diced
Fresh cilantro, chopped
Lime wedges
Instructions
Remove the stems and seeds from the dried chilies. Toast them in a dry pan for approximately 30 seconds on each side.
Cover the chilies with hot water and leave them to soften for 15 minutes.
Season the beef with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large pot and brown the beef on every side. Remove it temporarily.
Blend the softened chilies, tomatoes, onion, garlic, vinegar, cumin, oregano, cinnamon, paprika, and 250 ml of beef stock until smooth.
Pour the sauce into the pot. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Return the beef to the pot. Add the remaining stock and bay leaves. The liquid should almost cover the meat.
Cover and cook over low heat for 3–3½ hours, until the beef is extremely tender. Alternatively, bake at 160°C/325°F for the same amount of time.
Remove the beef and shred it with two forks. Discard the bay leaves.
Skim some of the flavorful red fat from the surface of the broth and place it in a shallow bowl.
Dip each tortilla lightly into this fat. Place it in a hot skillet, then add cheese, shredded beef, onion, and cilantro.
Fold the tortilla and cook for 2–3 minutes per side until crispy and golden and the cheese has melted.
Serve the tacos hot with bowls of the birria consommé, chopped onion, cilantro, and fresh lime.