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–+ servings
Birria Tacos

Birria Tacos

Birria Tacos, also known as Quesabirria, feature crispy tortillas stuffed with cheesy shredded beef and rich consommé.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Course Mains
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 25 tacos
Calories 300 kcal

Equipment

  • large saucepan
  • blender
  • heavy based pot

Ingredients
  

Birria adobo (paste)

  • 25 g guajillo chillies, dried (~4 pieces, heaped ¾ cup once chopped)
  • 45 g ancho chillies, dried (~2-3 pieces, 1 cup once chopped)
  • 6 g chillies de arbol, dried (~6 pieces, 2 tablespoon once chopped)
  • ½ cup chilli soaking water (reserve after simmering)
  • 5 garlic cloves peeled
  • 1 small onion roughly sliced (~tennis ball size)
  • 1 medium tomato roughly sliced (180g)
  • 2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

Birria braising

  • 5 tablespoon vegetable oil (or canola oil)
  • 1.3 kg chuck beef cut into 6 large pieces (or boneless beef short ribs – 1.8kg/3.6 lb bone-in)
  • 2 cups beef stock / broth low sodium
  • 1 stick cinnamon (substitute ¼ teaspoon powder, but it’s not quite the same)
  • 3 bay leaves (preferably fresh else dried)
  • 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or regular white vinegar, red or white wine vinegar)
  • 2 ½ teaspoon cooking salt / kosher salt (halve for table salt, +30% for flakes)

Beef seasoning

  • ½ teaspoon cooking salt / kosher salt

Birria Tacos

  • 1 white onion diced
  • ½ cup finely chopped coriander / cilantro leaves
  • 3 ½ cups shredded cheese Colby, Monterey Jack or Oaxaca cheese (if you can get it)
  • Lime wedges optional
  • Your favorite salsa or hot sauce optional

Instructions
 

Instructions

  • Simmer chopped chillies 10 min. Strain, blitz Adobo paste.
  • Brown beef, cook off adobo paste, slow-cook beef 2 ½ hrs (lid on).
  • Remove meat, shred, skim fat off braising liquid ("Birria Oil").
  • Toss beef in skillet with 1 cup braising liquid (aka Consomme).
  • Heat 1 teaspoon Birria oil over low heat, wipe pan with tortilla, remove, repeat x2 with ½ teaspoon oil each.
  • Top tortilla with cheese, beef, onion, coriander, fold over, pan fry until crisp.
  • Serve with Birria Consomme for dunking!

Notes

Birria is very reliant on chillies for flavour. Adjust spiciness by modifying the amount of chile de arbol used. Pair tacos with consommé for optimal flavor.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tacoCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 20gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Birria Tacos, consommé, crispy tacos, Quesabirria, shredded beef
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