Go Back
Adam

My Fave Birria Tacos – Juicy, Cheesy & Full of Flavor!

Few things in life are as satisfying as biting into a juicy, cheesy, crispy-edged Birria taco. These Birria Tacos—made with slow-braised chuck roast, dried chiles, aromatic spices, and melty Oaxaca cheese—are hands down the kind of meal that turns any day into a celebration. 💃 Originally from Jalisco, Mexico, Birria started as a celebratory stew. Today, it's found fame worldwide in taco form: dipped in consommé, griddled to crispy perfection, and stuffed with rich, fall-apart meat and gooey cheese. Let’s break down how to make your new favorite taco right at home — with no shortcuts and no skimping on flavor.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 4 minutes
Servings: 12 tacos
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

🍖 For the Birria Meat
  • 3 lbs chuck roast beef boneless, cut into large chunks
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 onion halved
  • 4 garlic cloves peeled
  • 2 bay leaves
🌶️ For the Birria Sauce (Adobo)
  • 4 dried ancho chiles stemmed and seeded
  • 4 dried guajillo peppers stemmed and seeded
  • 4 chipotle peppers in adobo
  • ½ cup diced tomatoes
  • ½ onion chopped
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp ground allspice
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 tbsp Mexican oregano
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
🧀🌮 For Assembling the Tacos
  • 12 corn tortillas
  • 1 block Oaxaca cheese shredded
  • Chopped cilantro for garnish
  • Diced white onion for garnish
  • Lime wedges

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Toast & Soak the Chiles
  2. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the ancho and guajillo chiles until fragrant (about 1 minute per side). Be careful not to burn them.
  3. Transfer to a bowl and cover with hot water. Let soak for 15–20 minutes to soften.
  4. Step 2: Blend the Adobo Sauce
  5. In a blender, combine the soaked chiles, chipotle peppers, tomatoes, half an onion, garlic powder, apple cider vinegar, cumin, allspice, paprika, cinnamon, thyme, oregano, sea salt, and black pepper.
  6. Blend until smooth, adding a little soaking water if needed for consistency.
  7. Step 3: Sear the Beef
  8. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add beef chunks and sear until browned on all sides. Do this in batches if necessary.
  9. Step 4: Braise the Birria
  10. Pour in the adobo sauce and stir to coat the meat. Add beef broth, water, bay leaves, garlic cloves, and the halved onion.
  11. Cover and simmer on low for 3–3.5 hours, or until the beef is tender and shreddable. Skim off any excess fat as needed.
  12. Step 5: Shred the Beef & Prep the Consommé
  13. Remove beef from the pot and shred using two forks. Strain the broth (consommé) through a sieve into a bowl. This will be your dipping sauce!
  14. Return shredded beef to a small portion of the consommé to keep moist and flavorful.
  15. Step 6: Assemble the Tacos
  16. Heat a griddle or skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly dip each corn tortilla into the top layer of the consommé (for that signature red crisp!) and place on the hot surface.
  17. Top with shredded beef, Oaxaca cheese, and fold the tortilla in half. Cook until crispy and cheese is melty, about 2–3 minutes per side.
  18. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
  19. Step 7: Garnish & Serve
  20. Serve tacos hot with a bowl of consommé for dipping. Garnish with chopped cilantro, diced onion, and a squeeze of lime.

Notes

🧀 Variations
🐐 Traditional Goat Birria
Swap beef for goat shoulder (the original meat used in Jalisco-style birria).
🐓 Chicken Birria
Use bone-in chicken thighs — reduce cook time to 1.5 hours.
🌱 Vegetarian Version
Try jackfruit, mushrooms, or seitan braised in the same rich adobo for a satisfying meatless version.
🔥 Spicy Upgrade
Add extra chipotle or a fresh chili (like serrano) to the adobo sauce.
🌮 Birria Quesatacos
Double down on cheese — make quesadillas and stuff them with birria, then crisp like tacos!
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Storage
Meat: Up to 4 days in fridge
Consommé: Store separately, same shelf life
Tacos: Best fresh, but can be reheated
Freezing
Freeze shredded meat and consommé in separate airtight containers for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Microwave: 60 seconds
Skillet: Best for tacos to restore crispiness
Consommé: Heat on stovetop or microwave-safe bowl
❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions
1. What’s the difference between birria and barbacoa?
Barbacoa is traditionally steamed or cooked underground, while birria is braised in a rich chile sauce. Both are delicious!
2. What tortillas work best?
Corn tortillas give that authentic crisp, but flour tortillas can work too if needed.
3. Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes! After searing the beef, transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 8–10 hours.
4. Is Oaxaca cheese required?
It’s traditional, but mozzarella or Monterey Jack are great substitutes.
5. Can I make this less spicy?
Yes — reduce or omit the chipotle peppers for a milder version.
6. How do I keep the tacos from falling apart?
Use fresh, warm tortillas, and don’t overload them.
7. Can I meal prep birria tacos?
Absolutely. Cook the meat and sauce ahead, then assemble tacos just before serving.
8. Can I pressure cook this?
Yes. Cook on high pressure for 45 minutes and natural release for 15.
9. What do I serve with birria tacos?
Refried beans, Mexican rice, elotes, or a crisp slaw work great.
10. Can I drink the consommé?
Yes! It’s incredibly flavorful — many serve it as a small soup or sipper.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
Serve tacos with a wedge of lime and sliced radishes
Use leftover birria for quesadillas, nachos, or burritos
Pair with a light Mexican beer or agua fresca
Add a side of avocado slices or guacamole
🏁 Conclusion
Birria Tacos are the kind of food that tells a story. They’re bold, messy, rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying — every bite soaked in tradition and flavor. Whether you’re cooking them for a party, a cozy family dinner, or just because you’re craving something epic, this recipe delivers.
From the simmering stew pot to the crispy taco shell, this dish is a celebration of everything that makes Mexican cuisine so legendary. 🌮🔥💥
Once you dip that taco in consommé and take a bite, you’ll never look at tacos the same again.