Birria Tacos – RecipeTin Eats

September 5, 2025

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Birria Tacos – or Quesabirria – are the legendary crispy pink tacos filled with tacky shredded beef, served with a wealthy consommé for dunking. This was a beast of a recipe to crack, so I’m thrilled we received there. I’m obsessed – massive flavour delivered with each single chunk!

A message to Birria connoisseurs!

We’ve eaten and made a number of Birria Tacos, and that is our concept of the right Birria Tacos! Right here’s what makes them stand out (in our humble opinion):

We toss the shredded beef in sauce earlier than stuffing for additional flavour – I can’t imagine each recipe doesn’t do that.
We offer you chilli measures in weight and cups so your sauce has sufficient flavour – how a lot is “4 anchos” actually?! They differ wildly in measurement!
Our birrias are crispier due to the best way we cook dinner them (you’ll perceive once you see)
Our consommé isn’t skinny and watery. A deliberate selection, as a result of it clings higher to the Birria Tacos. Which suggests extra flavour in each chunk!

If you happen to give ours a go, we’d like to know what you suppose!

~ Nagi & Goh (tech bro and RecipeTin’s world meals skilled!)

Birra tacos

What’s that you just say? You haven’t had Birria Tacos earlier than? Then let me introduce you to them. That is what they seem like on the surface:

That is what they seem like on the within:

And that is the way you eat them:

Have I received your consideration? 😂

About Birria Tacos – in phrases!

Although not as enjoyable as exhibiting you footage, right here’s a little bit of background. Birria Tacos are initially a Mexican taco made with slow-cooked meat (goat or beef) soaked a wealthy chilli broth and stuffed into tortillas.

Quesabirria or “cheese birria” is a contemporary twist with cheese added to the taco, which is then crisped within the chilli-stained oil, and served with flavour-packed braising liquid (the consommé) alongside for dipping.

Usually simply referred to as “birria tacos” too, they turned a sizzling craze a number of years in the past. We’ve lengthy since had a aim of making a model with actual punch, as a result of so many we’ve tried are disappointedly bland. It took a number of years, however we lastly received there – and right here it’s!!

Components in Birria Tacos

If you happen to don’t use dried Mexican chillies, it’s not Birria. I’m not saying it gained’t be good, it’s simply not Birria! The dried chillies are the primary flavouring, and likewise present the signature pink color staining the tacos.

So if you happen to can’t get those we use, moderately than substituting with different chillies (land of the unknown!), I’d advocate you make my Mexican Shredded Beef as an alternative which makes use of on a regular basis grocery retailer elements. Assemble/crisp the tacos like Birria. See FAQ for steps!

1. The chillies

We use a mixture of three kinds of Mexican chillies, for his or her completely different qualities and the complexity they bring about when mixed: Anchos for his or her candy, raisin-y flavour; guajillo for his or her fruity tartness and earthiness; chile de arbol for his or her warmth.

The place to purchase – Fellow Sydneysiders can discover dried Mexican chillies at Mexican/Latin or well-stocked worldwide grocers like Prime Ryde Growers (my native). It’s also possible to purchase them on-line at Fireworks meals (Australia), else readers can discover chillies on Amazon: guajillo (AU|UK|US); ancho (AU|UK|US); chiles de arbol (AU|UK|US).

🌶️ Spiciness: Birria is a bit on the spicier facet! Positively not blow-your-head-off however hum. If you happen to favor much less spicy, cut back or omit the chile de arbol which is accountable for many of the warmth.

⚠️USE THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF CHILLIES⚠️

The most typical flaw with Birria recipes is that they name for chillies by quantity like “2 dried Anchos”, but their measurement and density can differ wildly. Two giant ones can weigh double two small ones, which implies bland-Birria if you happen to use too little or overpowering-Birria if you happen to overdo it (or presumably inedibly-spicy-Birria with too many Chile de Árbol). All the time measure by weight for accuracy, or chop and measure in cups if you happen to don’t have scales. I’ve given each choices.

2. BIRRIA ADOBO PASTE

The bottom of the flavour of this entire dish is an Adobo which refers to sauces and marinades in Mexican cooking often made with dried chillis. Along with the dried chillies listed above, right here’s what it is advisable to make this Adobo for Birria Tacos:

Garlic and onion – Sure, 5 cloves of garlic looks like lots! However the lengthy simmering course of turns them candy and mellow. The onion in the meantime provides the sauce extra thickness and physique, and a few wetness to create the paste. Use 1/2 a big onion or 1 small onion.
Contemporary tomato – This additionally offers wetness to make the paste, and I feel it’s good to make use of a recent tomato moderately than canned, in amongst all the massive flavour explosions! Tomato additionally provides a little bit of pink color to the sauce.
Cumin – We’ve had many birria tacos which might be fairly heavy on the cumin. We love this model in its personal proper, however needed a much less cumin-forward flavour for our recipe. 1 tsp is the candy spot – a bit spice hum with out being dominating.
Oregano – A basic Mexican flavouring for braised meats and rubs.

3. greatest beef for birria + braising liquid

You want a stewing reduce of beef for Birria Tacos that may be sluggish cooked till tender sufficient to shred. Chuck is my first selection, adopted by brief rib. Cheeks and shanks would additionally work.

Beef – Use chuck (my most popular) or brief rib. Brief rib is richer and fattier, however as soon as shredded and sauced, chuck is simply nearly as good, plus cheaper and simpler to seek out.

Go for big items of chuck and reduce into tennis-ball measurement items if you happen to can, moderately than pre-cut skinny steaks, for juicier outcomes.

Different good cuts: cheek or shank/osso bucco. Gravy beef and brisket are leaner however workable. Keep away from lean steak/roast cuts like tenderloin, sirloin, prime rib, rib eye (scotch fillet).
Beef inventory – Use low sodium beef inventory (broth), one if you happen to can although that is nonetheless glorious with mass produced manufacturers like Campbells. Home made beef inventory is in fact the most effective in case you have it (you’ll want so as to add additional seasoning to the consommé on the finish).

I don’t advocate utilizing powdered beef inventory for this recipe, which tastes extra synthetic than liquid inventory.
Herbs and spices (cloves, cinnamon and bay leaves) – These heat spices are key flavourings for birria together with the chillies. Utilizing a cinnamon stick moderately than powdered actually makes a distinction right here. It infuses with refined flavour with out overwhelming. I additionally use loads of cloves as a result of they pair so splendidly with the meat (they sink so that you gained’t chunk into them).
Apple cider vinegar – A splash of acidity helps brighten issues a contact. Substitute with white or pink wine vinegar, or common white vinegar. Keep away from rice vinegar, sherry vinegar or balsamic vinegar as they’ve distinctive flavours that aren’t appropriate right here.

4. TO ASSEMBLE BIRRIA TACOS

Tortillas – I favor corn tortillas as they’ve nice flavour and crisp up higher. However you should utilize flour tortillas too, and so they do crisp up as effectively. Corn tortillas are fairly stiff when chilly. In order that they should be warmed to be pliable sufficient for folding with out breaking, which we do within the pan as we pan-fry them that basic “Birria pink” color!

Dimension – Those I exploit are 14.5cm / 6″ huge. Be happy to make use of bigger or smaller. You may even make quesadilla measurement ones!
Cheese – You need a good melting cheese with stretch and flavour. Our choose is Colby and Monterey Jack, however provolone or tasty cheese work too. Oaxaca is conventional however we will’t get it the place we’re. Mozzarella is a standard selection in recipes however a bit bland – we favor one thing saltier and extra flavourful. That stated, I’d fortunately use any melting cheese!
Diced white onion – A basic taco addition with a recent chunk and crunch. White onions are milder and higher uncooked than yellow/brown. If you happen to favor, soak in water to mellow the chunk, swap for pink or inexperienced onions, or skip fully.
Chopped coriander/cilantro – Just a little sprinkle for contained in the tacos for successful of freshness! If you happen to’re a type of coriander haters, you may skip this, or substitute with chives if you happen to nonetheless need little inexperienced specks inside.
Lime wedges – Current on any good plate of tacos to chop by way of all of the fatty richness! Just a bit squeeze on the taco earlier than or after dunking.
Salsa (ie. Mexican chilli sauce) – Completely optionally available, as these tacos already pack loads of flavour! However if you happen to love some recent and spicy zing, a salsa doesn’t go astray in any respect.

Learn how to make Birria Tacos

Blitz the paste, sear beef then sluggish cook dinner 2.5 hours till shreddable. Stuff in tortillas and pan fry till crispy!

1. Put together the chillies

Dried chillies are robust so we have to soak to melt earlier than blitzing into an Adobo paste.

Deseed the chillies by slicing them in half lengthways and tapping/scraping out the seeds. Additionally trim off and discard robust stems. We take away the seeds as a result of they’re spicy and likewise as a result of we don’t need gritty bits in our braise. (A couple of random seeds left is okay, simply do away with 98% of them).
Minimize chillies into 1 – 1.5cm / 1/2″ items.

Soften the chillies by simmering in boiling water for 10 minutes. The flesh will grow to be pasty and the pores and skin needs to be pliable, not robust and wrinkly as they have been when dried.
Drain the chillies by way of a sieve, being certain to reserve 1/2 cup of the simmering water.

Press out extra water from chillies (no must squeeze out by hand, simply do that within the sieve).
Reserved water – We’re going to use 1/2 cup for the Adobo paste (subsequent steps).

2. birria adobo paste

Simply add the whole lot and blitz!

Blitz – Put the chillies, reserved 1/2 cup of water and all of the remaining adobo paste elements in a jug giant sufficient to suit the top of a stick blender. Blitz till clean – it takes about 20 to 30 seconds, shifting the top round. It gained’t grow to be fully liquified however make it as clean as you may. It needs to be like a chilli paste.

Different blitzing strategies – Mini meals processor, NutriBullet or blender. To assist it blitz, use a number of the beef inventory listed within the elements if wanted, however solely the minimal quantity wanted to make it puree. Then add the remainder of the meat inventory into the braising liquid as per the recipe.

3. sluggish cook dinner beef

Don’t be tempted to cut back the oil within the recipe. It makes use of greater than typical in order that there’s sufficient of the red-stained oil floating on the floor on the finish to fry the tortillas with for the signature Birria model end!

Sear beef – Warmth the oil in a big heavy based mostly pot over excessive warmth then sear half the meat aggressively to brown it effectively on all sides, about 5 minutes. Take away and brown the remaining beef.
Cook dinner off adobo paste – Add the paste to the identical oil and stir for two minutes (decrease warmth if it’s spitting furiously).

Sluggish cook dinner 2.5 hours – Add the inventory, vinegar, bay leaves, spices and salt. Give it a stir then add the meat. Convey it to a simmer, cowl with a lid and decrease the warmth so it’s simmering very gently. Sluggish cook dinner for two.5 hours till the meat is well shreddable. (Notice: Beef brief ribs will take between 3 – 3.5 hours).

Throughout this stage the braising liquid develops stacks of flavour. This scrumptious liquid turns into our Birria Consommé by which the tacos are dipped. In the meantime, the oil and rendered beef fats float to the floor and will get stained the signature pink color. We separate and use this oil to pan fry the tacos.
Shred and season – Take away the meat from the Birria Consommé right into a shallow pan and shred effectively utilizing forks. Sprinkle with salt and toss.

Sauce it! Pour 1 cup of the Birria Consommé right into a clear, giant non-stick pan sufficiently big to additionally use to crisp the tacos later. Warmth over medium-high and simmer the Consommé for about 30 seconds. Now add all the meat in and toss till it sucks up all of the liquid pooled within the base of the pan. We would like the meat moist however not moist (this compromises taco crispiness). Put the meat again within the shredding pan, scraping all of the juices out of the non-stick pan.

💡Notice: This isn’t a step we’ve seen in lots of different Birria recipes. However actually, we discovered the meat is moderately bland if you happen to don’t soak it in some braising liquid. We’ve loads of that flavourful Consommé – why skip a chance without cost additional flavour?? We’ve taken cues from Pork Carnitas (the fry-off-in-braising liquid step catapults it into ah-mazing territory!). Additionally Papi’s Birria Tacos, our native favorite and the one really nice Birria taco joint we all know of right here in Sydney, do the identical.

Scoop off Birria Oil – Skim off the pink oil that has risen to the highest of the Birria Consommé (we’ll name this the “Birria Oil”) and put it in a small bowl or container. I scoop off as a lot as I may also so the consommé isn’t overly oily. You want at the least 6 tablespoons of Birria Oil to have sufficient to crisp the tacos. In case you are brief, add vegetable oil into the consommé and provides it stir. The oil will tackle pink color by mixing with the liquid. Now depart for 10 minutes to let the oil rise to the floor, after which skim.

CRISPY / GREASY NOTE: Many recipes will inform you to dunk tortillas straight into the consommé, counting on the pink oil that rises to the floor. The issue is that you just’re not simply coating the tortilla with oil – you’re additionally dragging in a number of the water-based liquid so the taco gained’t crisp up as effectively. Additionally, I discover this makes the tacos excessively greasy. I favor to scoop the oil off and use a managed quantity per taco.

4. make crispy, tacky birria tacos!

OK! It’s time to make our crispy Birria tacos!!

Make tortillas pink (and smooth!) – Put 1 teaspoon of the Birria Oil in a non-stick pan over medium warmth (I exploit the identical pan I used to toss the meat). Then place a tortilla in and use it to “wipe” the skillet to mop up all of the pink oil so the underside of the tortilla is roofed with pink. The warmth will even soften the corn tortillas so it’s pliable and gained’t break when folded. When the tortilla is smooth (solely about 10 seconds), take away onto a slicing board, red-side down.

There’s no must flip the tortillas, we solely put the pink oil on one facet – the surface. I do flip within the video solely to indicate you the pink facet. 🙂

Repeat twice extra, including a bit extra oil every time, so you’ve gotten 3 tortillas in whole. We’re going to make 3 Birria Tacos at a time.

Stuff – Engaged on the slicing board, prime one facet of every tortilla with cheese, then beef, then sprinkle with onion and coriander.
Crisp it! Fold over like a quesadilla then pan-fry on medium-high warmth (or medium, in case your range is powerful) till crisp and the cheese is melted – about 90 seconds on both sides. You gained’t want so as to add any extra oil, the oil on the floor of the tortilla needs to be sufficient.

Spoon some Birria Consommé right into a dipping bowl for every individual.
Serve the crispy Birria Tacos alongside the Consommé with some lime wedges and Mexican chilli sauce (salsa) if desired. If you wish to add a garnish, sprinkle with a bit white onion and/or coriander leaves. Lastly, serve!

Sensible issues: Cooking and serving sizzling

One of many issues I grappled with Birria Tacos was the practicality of constructing heaps in a single go, and serving sizzling. No one needs to be the slave within the kitchen pan frying tacos separately and sliding them sizzling and crispy onto the plates!

What I do is to heat 3 tortillas at a time within the pink oil, then assemble as many as I would like (ie. stuff and fold). Then pan-fry 3 at a time (you may get 2 pans going if you wish to do extra), and maintain cooked tacos heat within the oven.

For large crowd cooking, a BBQ with sizzling plates is greatest so you may cook dinner heaps in a single go! Arrange a Birria Station 😄.

And lastly, there’s the plain tortilla-assembling methodology. Right here you assemble utilizing plain no-red-oil tortillas which you’ll fold, then pan fry after within the pink oil. If utilizing corn tortillas, you’ll must heat the tortillas to make them pliable (simply microwave). That is additionally helpful for large batch cooking. This methodology wants extra oil than the “skillet wiping” methodology we use, in order an insurance coverage coverage I’d add some additional oil into the braising liquid so I get extra Birria Oil out on the finish.

Time to get messy!

That is methods to eat Birria Tacos: Seize one, and admire that beefy, tacky goodness and the wonderful red-stained crispy shell. Now over to the Consommé … Dunk and chunk, dunk and chunk … (interspersed with lime and sauce squeezes)…. you get the image!

Yeah, they’re greasy and it will get messy – that’s half the enjoyable!! Drippy, slurpy, napkin-stainingly messy, that is meals so good it should invade your goals for days to come back till you go and make it!!

Take pleasure in! – Nagi x

** A giant because of my brother Goh who did the heavy lifting for the event of this recipe. It was a giant one, a whale we’ve been chasing for years to nail down. It wasn’t till an awesome Birria taco truck lastly opened in Sydney that we have been impressed as soon as once more to select this up and get it throughout the end line. Taco lovers world wide thanks, Goh! That is one to be happy with. 🙂 (Examine Goh’s meals credentials right here!)

Birria Tacos FAQ

Watch methods to make it

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Birria Tacos – RecipeTin Eats

A message to Birria connoisseurs!

Birra tacos

About Birria Tacos – in phrases!