Experience the mouthwatering flavors of Birria Tacos with this authentic recipe! Tender, flavorful meat, warm tortillas, and rich consommé make for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Birria Tacos
Birria tacos have gained immense popularity in recent years and have become a beloved dish in Mexican cuisine. Originating from the state of Jalisco, Mexico, birria tacos are made with tender, slow-cooked meat that is traditionally goat, but can also be beef or other meats. The meat is marinated in a flavorful blend of spices and chilies, then braised until it becomes tender and succulent.
To prepare birria tacos, the marinated meat is slow-cooked until it falls apart easily. The resulting juicy and flavorful meat is then shredded and served in warm tortillas. The tortillas are often dipped in the rich and savory braising liquid, known as consomé, which adds even more depth of flavor.
One distinctive feature of birria tacos is the option to serve them as “quesabirria” tacos. In this variation, the tortillas are dipped in the consomé and then filled with the shredded meat and melted cheese. The tacos are then griddled until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy, creating a delightful combination of textures and flavors.
Birria tacos are commonly accompanied by sides such as chopped onions, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and a spicy salsa. These toppings add brightness and a touch of heat to balance out the rich and savory flavors of the birria.
Whether enjoyed at a street food stall or prepared at home, birria tacos are a delicious and satisfying treat. The combination of tender, flavorful meat, dipped tortillas, and savory consomé create a memorable and mouthwatering culinary experience.
What is original birria made of?
Original birria is a traditional Mexican dish that is typically made with goat meat, although other types of meat such as beef, lamb, or even pork can be used as well. The meat is slow-cooked until tender and flavorful. The key ingredients in birria include:
- Meat: Goat meat is the traditional choice for birria, but beef, lamb, or pork can be used as alternatives.
- Chili Peppers: Dried chili peppers like guajillo, ancho, or pasilla are commonly used to give birria its rich and complex flavor. These peppers are soaked, seeded, and blended into a sauce or paste.
- Aromatics: Garlic, onions, and various spices such as cumin, oregano, and cloves are typically included to enhance the flavor profile of the dish.
- Broth: Birria is cooked in a flavorful broth made from a combination of water or stock, tomatoes, and sometimes additional seasonings and spices.
- Herbs and Seasonings: Fresh herbs like cilantro or Mexican oregano may be added near the end of the cooking process to add brightness to the dish.
Birria is often served in various forms, such as tacos, quesadillas, or consommé-style soup, and is accompanied by condiments like lime wedges, chopped onions, cilantro, and sometimes a side of tortillas for dipping.
What cuts of meat are in birria?
Birria can be made with various cuts of meat depending on personal preference and availability. Traditionally, birria is made using goat meat, specifically from the shoulder or leg of the goat. However, other cuts of meat can also be used, such as:
- Beef: Cuts like beef chuck roast, beef shank, or beef short ribs are commonly used in beef birria.
- Lamb: Lamb shoulder or lamb leg can be used to make lamb birria, which is a popular variation in some regions.
- Pork: Although less traditional, pork cuts such as pork shoulder or pork ribs can be used to make pork birria.
It’s important to note that different cuts of meat will have varying levels of tenderness and cooking times. Some cuts, like the shoulder or shank, are ideal for slow cooking methods like braising, which allows the meat to become tender and flavorful. Regardless of the meat used, the cooking process for birria typically involves slow cooking or braising to achieve the desired tenderness and flavor.
Best Birria Tacos Recipe
Servings: 5 Preparation: 10 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes Calories: 350 Fat: 20g
Ingredients for the Birria:
2 lbs beef (such as chuck roast or beef brisket)
1 onion, roughly chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups beef broth
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1-2 dried bay leaves
Ingredients for the Tacos:
Corn tortillas
Birria meat (from the recipe above)
Chopped onion
Chopped fresh cilantro
Lime wedges
Sliced radishes (optional)
Sliced jalapenos (optional)
Instructions for the Birria:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- In a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the beef to the pot and sear it on all sides until browned. Remove the beef from the pot and set it aside.
- In the same pot, sauté the onion and garlic until they are softened and aromatic.
- Return the beef to the pot, and add the beef broth, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, oregano, cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, cloves, and bay leaves.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover the pot and transfer it to the preheated oven.
- Cook the birria in the oven for about 3-4 hours, or until the meat is very tender and can easily be shredded with a fork.
- Once the meat is done, remove it from the pot and shred it using two forks. Set the shredded meat aside.
Instructions for the Tacos:
- Heat a griddle or non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Warm the corn tortillas on the griddle or skillet for a few seconds on each side until pliable and heated through.
- Fill each tortilla with a portion of the shredded birria meat.
- Top the tacos with chopped onion, fresh cilantro, and any additional toppings you desire, such as sliced radishes or jalapenos.
- Serve the birria tacos with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the tacos.
- You can also serve the tacos with a side of the cooking liquid from the birria as a dipping sauce.
Enjoy your flavorful and juicy Birria Tacos!
Nutrition
- Calories: Approximately 350
- Total Fat: Around 20
- Saturated Fat: About 7
- Trans Fat: Minimal
- Cholesterol: Roughly 70
- Sodium: Approximately 800
- Carbohydrates: Around 20
- Fiber: Approximately 2
- Sugars: Minimal
- Protein: Roughly 20
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Ingredients
- Ingredients for the Birria:
- 2 lbs beef (such as chuck roast or beef brisket)
- 1 onion, roughly chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1-2 dried bay leaves
- Ingredients for the Tacos:
- Corn tortillas
- Birria meat (from the recipe above)
- Chopped onion
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Sliced radishes (optional)
- Sliced jalapenos (optional)
Instructions
- Instructions for the Birria:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- In a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the beef to the pot and sear it on all sides until browned. Remove the beef from the pot and set it aside.
- In the same pot, sauté the onion and garlic until they are softened and aromatic.
- Return the beef to the pot, and add the beef broth, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, oregano, cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, cloves, and bay leaves.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover the pot and transfer it to the preheated oven.
- Cook the birria in the oven for about 3-4 hours, or until the meat is very tender and can easily be shredded with a fork.
- Once the meat is done, remove it from the pot and shred it using two forks. Set the shredded meat aside.
- Instructions for the Tacos:
- Heat a griddle or non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Warm the corn tortillas on the griddle or skillet for a few seconds on each side until pliable and heated through.
- Fill each tortilla with a portion of the shredded birria meat.
- Top the tacos with chopped onion, fresh cilantro, and any additional toppings you desire, such as sliced radishes or jalapenos.
- Serve the birria tacos with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the tacos.
- You can also serve the tacos with a side of the cooking liquid from the birria as a dipping sauce.
Enjoy your flavorful and juicy Birria Tacos!
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