Delicious and comforting birria tacos made with slow-braised beef, served with rich consomé and topped with Oaxacan cheese, cilantro, and onions.
Servings 6servings
Course Dinner, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine Latin American, Mexican
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
2lbsbeef chuck or brisket
4piecesdried guajillo chiles
4piecesdried ancho chiles
2clovesgarlic
1pieceonion, quartered
2tsporegano
1tspcumin
1tspsalt
4cupsbeef broth
CorntortillasCorn tortillas
Oaxacan cheese, shredded
Chopped cilantro and onions for garnish
Lime wedges for serving
Method
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
In a large pot, combine the dried guajillo and ancho chiles, garlic, quartered onion, oregano, cumin, and salt. Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer, allowing the flavors to merge.
Cooking
Add the beef to the pot, ensuring that it is fully submerged in the liquid. Cover the pot and braise in the oven for 3-4 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender.
Once the beef is cooked, remove it from the pot and shred it with two forks. Strain the cooking liquid to separate the consomé from any solids.
Assembly
To assemble the tacos, heat corn tortillas on a skillet. Fill each tortilla with a generous amount of shredded beef and sprinkle with shredded Oaxacan cheese. Fry the tortillas in the skillet until crispy.
Serve the tacos alongside the consomé for dipping. Garnish with chopped cilantro and onions, and add lime wedges for an extra burst of flavor.
Ingredient Substitutions: If you can't find Oaxacan cheese, you can substitute with queso fresco or Monterey Jack cheese. Optional Variations: Try adding pickled onions or avocado slices for an additional layer of flavor. For a spicy kick, incorporate some diced jalapeños. Storage or Reheating Tips: Leftover beef can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the beef on the stovetop and serve with fresh tortillas.