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Delicious cheesy Birria Tacos served with flavorful dipping sauce

Cheesy Birria Tacos

Cheesy Birria Tacos are a delightful mix of rich flavors and melted cheese, perfect for any meal.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6 tacos
Calories 380 kcal

Ingredients
  

Meat Preparation

  • 2.5 lbs beef chuck roast or short ribs (trimmed & cut into chunks)
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil (vegetable or avocado)

Sauce Ingredients

  • 3 dried guajillo chiles (stemmed and seeded)
  • 2 dried ancho chiles (stemmed and seeded)
  • 1 chipotle pepper in adobo (from a can)
  • 1 large onion (chopped)
  • 4 cloves garlic (peeled)
  • 2 tsp dried oregano (preferably Mexican)
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 0.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp white vinegar
  • 4 cups beef broth or water
  • 1 Roma tomato (optional) or 1 tbsp tomato paste (for extra body)

Taco Assembly

  • 2 cups shredded Oaxaca (or mozzarella, or Monterey Jack cheese)
  • Neutral oil (for frying)
  • Chopped cilantro & white onion (for topping)
  • Lime wedges (for serving)

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Season the beef chunks with salt and pepper. Heat the neutral oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef and sear until browned on all sides. Remove from the pot and set aside.

Sauce Preparation

  • In the same pot, add guajillo and ancho chiles. Toast for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn them.
  • Add the toasted chiles, chipotle pepper, onion, garlic, oregano, cumin, cinnamon, bay leaves, vinegar, and beef broth (or water) to a blender. Blend until smooth.

Cooking the Birria

  • Pour the blended sauce over the beef in the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Let it simmer for about 2-3 hours, until the meat is tender.
  • Once cooked, remove the beef from the pot and shred it with two forks. Strain the sauce, reserving the liquid (consommé) for dipping.

Taco Assembly and Cooking

  • Heat a bit of oil in a skillet. Dip a corn tortilla into the reserved consommé, then fill it with shredded beef and cheese. Fold the tortilla and fry until crispy and golden.

Serving

  • Serve your cheesy birria tacos with chopped cilantro, onion, and lime wedges.

Notes

Make sure to toast the chiles to highlight their flavors, but watch them closely. Let the beef simmer long enough to become tender; it will be easier to shred. Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese for more flavor. Always fry the tacos right before serving to keep them crispy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 380kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 25gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2g
Keyword Beef Tacos, Cheesy Birria Tacos, Comfort Food, Mexican Cuisine, Tacos
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