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Authentic Birria Tacos

Authentic Birria Tacos are a delicious and comforting dish featuring tender beef, rich spices, and warm tortillas, perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 8 tacos
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

Meat and Broth

  • 3 pounds beef chuck roast Use high-quality beef for tenderness.
  • 6 cups beef broth Split into 1 cup for blending and 5 cups for cooking.

Chiles and Seasonings

  • 2 dried ancho chiles Toast before use.
  • 2 dried guajillo chiles Toast before use.
  • 1 dried pasilla chile Toast before use.
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil For browning the beef.
  • 1 medium onion, quartered
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 tablespoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 stick cinnamon
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon salt

To Serve

  • 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped Freshly chopped for garnish.
  • 1 lime cut into wedges

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Toast the dried ancho, guajillo, and pasilla chiles in a large skillet over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally.
  • Remove the chiles from the skillet and let them cool for a few minutes.
  • Once cooled, remove the stems and seeds from the chiles and discard them.
  • Place the cleaned chiles into a blender.
  • Add the quartered onion, garlic cloves, cumin, oregano, thyme, black pepper, cinnamon stick, and whole cloves into the blender.
  • Pour in 1 cup of beef broth and blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.

Cooking

  • In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
  • Brown the beef chuck roast on all sides, then remove it from the pot.
  • Add the blended chile paste to the pot and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the remaining 5 cups of beef broth, apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, bay leaves, and salt to the pot.
  • Return the browned beef to the pot, submerging it in the broth mixture.
  • Bring the pot to a simmer over medium heat, cover, and reduce the heat to low.
  • Cook for 2.5 to 3 hours or until the meat is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
  • Remove the beef from the pot and shred it using two forks.
  • Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve and return it to the pot to keep warm.

Tortillas

  • In a separate skillet or griddle, warm the corn tortillas for about 30 seconds on each side.
  • Dip each warm tortilla into the broth and then place them on the skillet to crisp for an additional 1-2 minutes.
  • Spoon the shredded beef onto the tortillas and top with chopped cilantro and lime juice.
  • Serve hot with a side of warm broth for dipping.

Notes

Make sure to toast the chiles properly to enhance their flavor. Use high-quality beef chuck roast for tender meat. Feel free to add toppings like diced onions or avocado for extra flavor.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 20gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 600mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2g
Keyword Authentic Tacos, Beef Tacos, Birria Tacos, Comfort Food, Mexican Recipes
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