If you haven’t tried Birria Tacos yet, prepare to fall in love. Originating from the Mexican state of Jalisco, these tacos have taken the culinary world by storm, thanks to their bold flavors and irresistible texture. Tender, slow-cooked meat—usually beef, goat, or lamb—is folded into corn tortillas, crisped up in a skillet, and served with a rich, spiced consommé for dipping. It’s no wonder they’ve become a viral sensation.
The magic of Birria Tacos lies in the meat. Traditionally, the meat is simmered for hours in a broth made with dried chiles, garlic, onions, vinegar, and warm spices like cinnamon and cloves. The result? Shredded meat that’s flavorful, juicy, and infused with complex, smoky flavor. After cooking, the broth is strained to become a dipping sauce, or consommé, that’s just as important as the tacos themselves.
To assemble Birria Tacos, dip your corn tortillas into the surface of the consommé before placing them on a hot griddle. Add a generous amount of the shredded meat and some melty cheese—like Oaxaca or mozzarella—then fold and grill until crispy and golden. The tortilla soaks up some of the rich, reddish oil from the consommé, giving it a gorgeous hue and savory taste.
What truly sets these tacos apart is the dipping experience. Served alongside a warm bowl of consommé, every bite becomes a flavor explosion. Dip, bite, repeat—it’s hard to stop.
Birria Tacos are perfect for weekend feasts, parties, or impressing guests with something unique and delicious. While they require a bit more effort than your average taco, the payoff is well worth it. You can even prepare the meat and consommé ahead of time to save time on the day you serve.
So if you’re looking to elevate taco night or explore deeper into Mexican cuisine, Birria Tacos are a must-try dish that combines comfort, tradition, and bold flavor in every bite.
Traditionally made with goat, but most commonly now made with beef chuck roast, short ribs, or a mix for tenderness and flavor.
“Birria” refers to a savory, spicy stew that originated in Jalisco, Mexico. The name has come to define both the stew and the tacos made with it.
Typically includes dried chilies (guajillo, ancho), garlic, onion, vinegar, cumin, oregano, cloves, cinnamon, and other warming spices blended into a marinade.
Tortillas are dipped in the fat layer of the stew, filled with shredded meat, and fried on a skillet until crispy. The tacos are often cheesy, with Oaxaca or mozzarella cheese.
They’re savory with a warm spice, but you can adjust the heat by controlling how many chilies or types of chilies you use.
Serve with lime wedges, chopped onions, cilantro, radishes, and of course—a bowl of consommé for the full experience!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck roast cut into chunks
- 3 cups beef broth
- 2 dried guajillo chiles stems and seeds removed
- 2 dried ancho chiles stems and seeds removed
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 onion chopped, large
- 12 pcs corn tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cheese Mexican blend
Instructions
- In a large pot, add beef chuck roast, beef broth, guajillo chiles, ancho chiles, garlic, oregano, cumin, black pepper, apple cider vinegar, and chopped onion.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the beef is tender and shreds easily.
- Remove the beef from the pot and shred it with two forks. Strain the cooking liquid to use as consommé.
- Heat the corn tortillas in a skillet over medium heat.
- Fill each tortilla with shredded beef and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Fold the tortillas in half.
- Cook the tacos in the skillet until the tortillas are crispy and the cheese is melted.
- Serve the tacos hot with the consommé on the side for dipping.
Notes
Beef chuck roast is a favorite for juicy, tender birria. Lamb or goat are also traditional options. 🌮 Toast Your Spices:
Lightly toast dried chiles before blending — it brings out deeper, smoky flavors in the consommé. 🌮 Low and Slow Cooking:
Simmer the meat slowly for several hours until it’s fall-apart tender and rich in flavor. 🌮 Dip and Fry the Tortillas:
Dip the tortillas in the birria broth (consommé) before frying them on the griddle — it gives them that signature crispy, flavorful exterior. 🌮 Double Up on Cheese:
A little melty cheese inside the tacos makes them extra indulgent and helps hold everything together. 🌮 Serve With Extra Consommé:
Don’t forget a side of consommé for dipping – it’s the ultimate birria taco experience!
Nutrition
Just made these for dinner! Yummy! Definitely a keeper. 🥳
Took forever to make. I thought tacos were supposed to be quick! Not sure I’ll do this again.
I thought tacos were quick too! This recipe looks complicated, but I guess it’s about having that good taste. I don’t have 3 hours to spare tho…😩
I understand your frustration! Birria tacos are definitely not the quick fix you expect from regular tacos. But the flavor can be worth the wait! Maybe try a simpler recipe next time.
Absolutely delicious! The beef was so tender and flavorful. Can’t wait to make it again!
These are just like my abuela used to make. Brings back memories! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It looks good, but too much spice for me! I like my food mild. 🌶️
Cheesy and crispy! My kids wouldn’t stop eating them. Great recipe!
How about using beef brisket instead? I think it’ll be even better! 🤷♂️
There are easier recipes out there. This one was a bit complicated for me.
Not impressed. I prefer my tacos with chicken. Beef is too heavy for me.
I get what you mean! Chicken tacos are lighter, but birria has its own charm! 😋
I’ve never cooked meat for that long! Why not just put it in a slow cooker? 🤔
Slow cookers are great, but this method really brings out the flavors! Trust me, you gotta try it this way to appreciate it fully.
Yum! I made these for a party and they were the biggest hit! Will definitely make again! 🥳
So glad to hear that! These tacos are a game changer! 🌮 What did you serve with them?
I dunno. They look good but seems too complicated. Why do you need so many ingredients?
Hmm, I don’t know. My tacos fell apart and the flavor was too strong for my taste.
These tacos taste like heaven! I could eat them every day!
I totally agree! These tacos are life-changing! 😍
I gotta be honest, I always thought tacos were just ground beef. This shredded beef thing is new to me! ☺️
A+ recipe! The consommé is to die for! Took me a while but worth it.
Isn’t this recipe flawed? Seems like too many chiles and not enough beef.
Best tacos I’ve ever made! The garlic and spices are perfect. My family loved them!
So easy! I added jalapeños for a kick. Taco night was a hit!
Who cares about tacos when you’ve got a hacker to save your coins? Priorities, people! 😂
Sounds delicious! Can’t wait to try these Birria Tacos, but I’m not sure about the beef broth. Can I use vegetable broth instead?
Never heard of guajillo chiles before. Where do I find those? 🤔
You can find guajillo chiles in the international aisle at most grocery stores! Or try a Mexican market! They’re really good in birria! 😊
Looks good, but where I live we don’t have dried guajillo chiles. Can I use fresh ones instead?
These tacos are amazing! So full of flavor, my family devoured them in minutes! 🌮❤️
Can’t believe how simple it was! Perfect for my busy weeknights.
I know right! I made these last night, and my kids devoured them in minutes!
Meh, not super impressed. I expected more kick, maybe I did it wrong??
I think the kick comes from the chilis! Maybe try adding more guajillo or even some jalapeños next time. It’s all about personal taste, I guess! 😄
I tried this recipe and it was a bit too spicy for my kids. I might reduce the chiles next time.