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Delicious slow-cooked spicy birria tacos served with fresh toppings

Slow-Cooked Spicy Birria Tacos

Tender and flavorful beef in a spicy sauce, wrapped in warm corn tortillas, perfect for gatherings and customizable with fresh toppings.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 20 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 12 servings
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the beef

  • 3 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into large chunks
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 6 dried guajillo chilies, stemmed and seeded
  • 4 dried ancho chilies, stemmed and seeded
  • 1 dried chipotle chili
  • 4 cups beef stock
  • 1 large onion, quartered
  • 1 head of garlic, cloves peeled
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 stick cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • to taste Salt and pepper

For serving

  • 12-16 pieces corn tortillas
  • 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 cup finely chopped onion
  • as needed Lime wedges, for serving

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the vegetable oil and sear the chunks of beef chuck roast on all sides until browned. Transfer the beef to a slow cooker.
  • In the same skillet, toast the guajillo, ancho, and chipotle chilies for about 1-2 minutes, until fragrant but not burned.
  • Move the toasted chilies to a blender. Add 2 cups of beef stock and let them soak for 10 minutes to soften.
  • Add the quartered onion, peeled garlic cloves, and apple cider vinegar to the blender with the chilies. Blend everything until it becomes a smooth paste.
  • Pour the chili paste over the beef in the slow cooker. Add the remaining 2 cups of beef stock, bay leaves, oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, cinnamon stick, salt, and pepper.

Cooking

  • Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8-10 hours until the beef is tender and easily shreds.
  • Once cooked, take the beef out and shred it using two forks. Discard any large fat pieces. Strain the cooking liquid and keep it warm.

Assembling

  • Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Toast each corn tortilla until warm and flexible.
  • Dip each tortilla into the reserved warm cooking liquid to lightly coat. Fill with the shredded beef and top with chopped cilantro and onion.
  • Fold the tacos and serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the tacos.

Notes

Use fresh cilantro and onion for the best flavors. Adjust the amount of chilies based on your spice preference. If you want a richer flavor, try adding a little more smoked paprika or cumin.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 20gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1g
Keyword Beef Tacos, Birria Tacos, Comfort Food, Slow-Cooked Tacos, Spicy Tacos
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