This is my favorite birria tacos recipe with juicy, tender shredded beef simmered in chili sauce on lightly fried tortillas, so huge on flavor.
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Ingredients
FOR THE BIRRIA RECIPE
5 ancho peppers
5 guajillo peppers
2-3 chiles de arbol optional for spicier
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large white onion chopped
3 large tomatoes chopped
5 cloves garlic chopped
1 tablespoon Mexican oregano
1 tablespoon sea salt or to taste
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon black pepper
½ cup apple cider vinegar
2 large roasted tomatoes chopped
4 cups beef stock separated
4 pound boneless beef chuck Or you can use beef shank or brisket - try with lamb shoulder.
FOR THE BIRRIA TACOS
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
16 corn tortillas You can use flour tortillas.
Fixings. Chopped red onion, sliced jalapeno or serrano, fresh chopped cilantro, chili flakes, fresh lime juice. Use your favorites. Shredded cheese is great here.
Instructions
MAKE THE BIRRIA
Heat a large pan to medium heat and add the dried peppers. Dry toast them in the hot pan 1-2 minutes per side, until the skins darken.
Remove from heat and add the toasted peppers to a large bowl. Cover with hot water and steep 20 minutes, or until softened.
While the peppers are rehydrating, heat the olive oil in the same pan to medium heat.
Add the onion and tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes to soften.
Add the garlic and cook another 1 minute, stirring.
Add the cooked onion, tomatoes and garlic to a food processor.
Remove the softened chilies and add to the food processor, but reserve the soaking liquid.
Add the seasonings to the food processor along with the vinegar and 1 cup beef stock. Process until smooth. It should be fairly thick, but you can thin if needed with the reserved soaking liquid. Strain if desired to remove any unprocessed bits of skin.
Cut the beef into large chunks and add to a large bowl.
Pour the birria sauce over them and rub it into the meat. Cover and marinate the meat in the refrigerator for 2 hours minimum. Overnight is better.
When you’re ready to cook, add the meat with all of the marinade, the chopped roasted tomatoes and remaining 3 cups beef broth to a large pot. Cover and cook at medium heat for 3 hours, or until the meat is fork tender and easy to shred. It should be fairly saucy.
Shred the meat with forks to your preference. Reserve most of the birria sauce (consome).
MAKE THE BIRRIA TACOS
Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large pan or skillet. Dip the tortillas into the birria sauce (consome) to coat them evenly, then set them into the hot pan.
Top with shredded birria meat. Fold the moistened shell over and fry 2-3 minutes until crisp, then flip over and fry the other side until crisp.
Cool slightly and serve with your preferred toppings, with reserved liquid consome from the pot as a side soup/broth.
Notes You can use other cuts of meat to make birria. Beef is more popularly used today, but lamb and goat are more traditional. For beef, consider chuck roast, brisket or shank. For lamb and goat, consider shoulder or belly.