What Are Birria Tacos And HOW To Make Them

What is Birria Tacos?

Birria Tacos is a popular Mexican stew that is addictive, vinegary, a bit spicy, and absolutely flavorful. The stew usually is simmered until the beef is soft, succulent, and delectable. Somebody came up with an excellent idea to stuff this beefy delicacy into a taco shell, dip it into the stew and fry it. 

Read the following section to find out what you need to make delicious quesa birria tacos:   

Ingredients Needed for Quesa Birria Tacos

Beef

For the best birria tacos results, consider going for beef shank. Make sure to include another cut to add texture and variety.  

Dried Guajillo Peppers

These are sun-dried peppers and add an authentic Mexican flavor to any stew. You can also find them in the Mexican aisle at the local grocery store. They are mild and wouldn’t add any heat. Suppose they are not available; consider any dried Mexican or southwestern peppers available. Examples include pasilla, California, ancho, and new Mexico.

Chipotle Peppers in Adobo

You will find these in a little can. They are ordinarily tangy-sweet-savory delicious. Additionally, they form the base of most Mexican stews and marinades. Also, you can find these peppers almost anywhere in the world.

Mexican Oregano

This oregano version is usually cheaper than the others. It is also fresher and better than the other stuff you will find on the spice aisle.

What to Serve With Tacos de Birria

Tacos de Birria are delicious enough that you can enjoy dozens on their own. However, you can serve them with other dishes to enjoy them better. They include:

• Mexican rice
• Homemade tortilla soup
• Birria ramen

How To Make Tacos de Birria

Birria Tacos Recipe

Time: 2 hours

Serving Size: 4

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Nutritional Facts (Amount Per Serving: 3 Tacos)

• Calories 626 
• Calories from fat 157
• Fat 17.4g (0,038 lb)
• Saturated Fat 4.2 g (0.04lb)
• Cholesterol 152 mg (0.00034lb)
• Sodium 1644 mg (0.0036lb)
• Potassium 788 mg (0.00174lb)
• Carbohydrates 31.8 g (0.07lb)
• Fiber 9.5 g (0.02lb)
• Sugar 7.5 g (0.02 lb)
• Protein 61 g (0.13lb)

Equipment Needed

1. Instant pot or slow cooker
2. Blender
3. Chef’s knife
4. Kitchen towels
5. Oven
6. Colander
7. Stainless steel bowl

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb (680 g) beef shank
• 1 lb (454 g) cab sirloin or other steak/roast

Marinade

• 3 dried guajillo peppers
• 1 can chipotle peppers in adobo
• ¼ cup vinegar
• ½ cup crushed tomatoes
• 5 cloves
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp cumin

Tacos

• 4-inch (10 cm) corn or flour tortillas as needed
• 1 medium onion (chopped)
• 1 bunch cilantro (chopped)
• 1 cup Mexican cheese blend (grated)

Instructions

1. Boil a large pot of water. Once the water has simmered, take the pot off the heat. Soak the dried guajillo peppers for 15 minutes. In the meantime, cube the cab sirloin and season the steak and shank with salt and pepper. Put it aside.
2. Put the marinade ingredients into the blender. When the peppers are soaked, please pick them up by the tip over the sink, cut off the stem using scissors, and let the seeds fall off before adding them to the blender. Blend the mixture into a smooth paste. Marinate the meat for at least two hours or overnight for better results.
3. Set the instant pot on sauté high. Alternatively, you can use the skillet over medium heat. Add 1-2 tablespoons of oil and fry the onions until golden and lucid (6 to 8 minutes).
4. Add the meats, cinnamon stick, marinade, bay leaves, and cloves to the pot. Cover the mixture with chicken broth and set to high pressure for 45 minutes. If you use a slow cooker or stovetop, set to low heat for 4 to 6 hours.
5. Once your instant pot is done, let it release naturally before removing the meat. After that, shred lay aside and dispose of the bones.
6. Warm some tortillas and dip them in the stew. Next, build the tacos, top with the optional toppings, and fry over medium heat using a nonstick skillet. Serve your beef birria tacos immediately.

The Different Versions of Birria Tacos

The birria taco can be deceptively simple. However, in reality, when you look at instructions on how to make birria tacos, you will notice how much goes into it. There are different versions of birria tacos which you should know. They include:

Quesbirria

This is birria tacos with cheese.

Birria Pizza 

It is a Mexican pizza covered in marinated meat and Mexican cheeses.

Birria Nachos

This birria tacos version is tortilla chips covered in traditional nacho toppings heaped with a layer of birria.

Birria Burrito

A sizable burrito stuffed with birria.

The Italian Origins and History of Birria Tacos

The history of Birria dates back centuries. It is believed its origin is in Jalisco, Mexico. It was a dish served during big celebrations and cookouts. Moreover, the stew has emerged as the go-to cure for hangovers. Quesa Birria Tacos were first created in Tijuana, Mexico. Therefore, they drew their inspiration from the traditional Jalisco birria stew.

At first, it was prepared using goat meat, but other variations emerged over the years. For instance, besides chicken birria tacos, you can also find pork birria tacos. If you are a vegetarian, don’t fret! There are meatless recipes you can use.

Don Guadalupe Zarate moved to Tijuana and switched the recipe from goat to beef. He also added more liquid and sold the stew at his street stand. By the 80s, beef birria tacos had become very popular in Tijuana’s taco stands. 

Others picked it and spread it globally, especially in the USA. For example, the Gonzalez brothers took the delicacy to Los Angeles.

Are You Taco to Me?

Everyone loves a delicious meal, especially one with a rich history. If you are one of these, then a taco with dipping sauce is your go-to dish. Fortunately, you know what birria tacos are. Moreover, you can make the tacos de birria at home because the ingredients are readily available.

Besides that, different versions of the birria tacos allow you to choose your best. You can also serve it with various dishes such as birria sauce. Remember, it would help to serve your birria tacos immediately to enjoy them fully. What are you waiting for? Go to the local grocery store and get the ingredients you need to get started. Buon appetito!