
Birria Tacos
The viral sensation that took social media by storm — crispy, cheese-crusted corn tortillas stuffed with fall-apart tender braised beef birria, dipped in a rich, smoky consommé. This home-cook-friendly version delivers the full experience: deeply spiced adobo marinade, slow-braised chuck roast, and that iconic orange-red dipping broth. Messy, bold, and absolutely unforgettable.
6 servings · Prep 40 min · Cook 210 min · Total 250 min
Mexican · Main Course · Dinner · Lunch
Ingredients
Open in recipe scaler →Main
3 lb beef chuck roast cut into 3–4 inch chunks
1 lb bone-in beef short ribs
1 tbsp kosher salt
1 tsp black pepper freshly ground- 4 cup beef broth low sodium
2 whole bay leaves
Adobo Sauce
4 whole dried guajillo chiles stems and seeds removed
2 whole dried ancho chiles stems and seeds removed- 2 whole dried chiles de árbol stems removed (adjust for heat preference)
1 can whole peeled tomatoes
6 cloves garlic peeled
0.5 medium white onion roughly chopped
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano preferably Mexican oregano
0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Taco Assembly
18 whole corn tortillas small, 6-inch
2 tbsp neutral oil for frying tortillas
Taco Toppings
0.5 medium white onion finely diced
0.5 bunch fresh cilantro roughly chopped
2 whole limes cut into wedges
Equipment
Oven
Stovetop
Dutch Oven
Blender
Baking Sheet
Mixing Bowl
Griddle
Skillet
Pot
Fork
Pan
Tongs
Ladle
Cutting Board
Mixing Bowl (4 Quarts)
Dipping Fork
Instructions
- Toast the @[Guajillo Chiles], @[Ancho Chiles], and @[Chiles De Árbol] in a dry #[Skillet] over ^[medium heat] for ~[30–45 seconds] per side until fragrant and slightly darkened — don't let them burn. Transfer to a #[Mixing Bowl], cover with boiling water, and soak for ~[15 minutes] until softened. Drain and add the rehydrated chiles to a #[Blender] along with the @[Peeled Tomatoes], @[Garlic], @[Medium White Onion], @[Cumin], @[Oregano], @[Cinnamon], and @[Apple Cider Vinegar]. Blend on high until completely smooth, about ~[60 seconds]. Set aside.
- Preheat your #[Oven] to ![325°F]. Season the @[Beef Chuck Roast] (and @[Beef Short Ribs] if using) generously with @[Kosher Salt] and @[Black Pepper]. Heat ~[1 tablespoon] of @[Neutral Oil] in a large #[Dutch Oven] over ^[medium-high heat]. Working in batches, sear the @[Beef Chuck Roast] on all sides until deeply browned, about ~[3–4 minutes] per side. Return all the @[Beef Chuck Roast] to the pot, pour the adobo sauce over the top, and add the @[Beef Broth] and @[Bay Leaves]. Stir to combine, bring to a simmer, then cover and transfer to the #[Oven].
- Braise in the #[Oven] for ~[3 to 3.5 hours], until the @[Beef Chuck Roast] is completely fall-apart tender and shreds easily with two forks. Remove the @[Bay Leaves]. Transfer the @[Beef Chuck Roast] to a #[Cutting Board] and shred it, discarding any large pieces of fat or bone. Skim the excess fat off the top of the braising liquid (consommé) — but save it! That red-orange fat is what you'll use to fry the @[Corn Tortillas]. Taste the consommé and adjust @[Kosher Salt] as needed. Keep warm on the #[Stovetop] over ^[low heat].
- Heat a large #[Skillet] or #[Griddle] over ^[medium-high heat]. Ladle a small amount of the skimmed birria fat (or @[Neutral Oil]) into the pan. Dip a @[Corn Tortilla] briefly into the warm consommé to coat it in the red broth, then lay it flat in the hot #[Skillet]. Immediately add a small handful of shredded Oaxaca cheese to one half of the @[Corn Tortilla], then top with a generous spoonful of shredded birria @[Beef Chuck Roast]. Fold the @[Corn Tortilla] in half and press gently. Cook for ~[2–3 minutes] per side until the @[Corn Tortilla] is crispy and the cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining @[Corn Tortillas].
- Ladle the warm consommé into small bowls for dipping. Serve the crispy birria tacos immediately alongside the consommé, topped with diced @[Medium White Onion] and fresh @[Cilantro], with @[Limes] cut into wedges on the side. Dip each taco into the consommé before every bite for the full viral experience.





