Birria Tacos: The Juicy, Cheesy, Crispy Craze You Need to Make at Home”
Birria tacos have taken the food world by storm — and for good reason. These crispy, cheesy, flavor-packed tacos are dunked in a rich, slow-cooked consommé that will make your taste buds dance. Originating from Jalisco, Mexico, birria was traditionally made with goat but has evolved into a popular beef version that’s become a taco truck and TikTok legend.
Ready to recreate the hype at home? Here’s how to make these unforgettable Birria Tacos — and the Amazon products that’ll make your kitchen feel like a taquería.
🌮 Ingredients (Makes ~12 tacos)
For the Birria:
- 3 lbs beef chuck roast (or a mix of chuck + short ribs)
- 5 dried guajillo chiles (stems/seeds removed)
- 3 dried ancho chiles (stems/seeds removed)
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo (from can)
- 1 white onion (halved)
- 6 garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp Mexican oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 6 cups beef broth
For Assembly:
- Corn tortillas
- Shredded Oaxaca or mozzarella cheese
- Fresh cilantro (chopped)
- White onion (finely chopped)
- Lime wedges (for serving)
👨🍳 Instructions
Toast & Soak the Chiles
Toast dried guajillo and ancho chiles in a dry skillet for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Then soak them in hot water for 10–15 minutes to soften.
Make the Marinade
In a blender, combine soaked chiles, chipotle peppers, half an onion, garlic, vinegar, oregano, cumin, cloves, and 1 cup of beef broth. Blend until smooth.
Prep the Meat
Season beef with salt and pepper. Sear in a hot pan until browned. Transfer to a large pot or Dutch oven.
Slow Cook It
Pour marinade over the beef. Add remaining beef broth, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, and rest of the onion. Cover and simmer on low for 3–4 hours (or use a slow cooker for 6–8 hours) until the beef is fall-apart tender.
Shred the Beef
Remove the meat and shred it. Strain the consommé and set aside for dipping.
Assemble the Tacos
Dip tortillas in the top layer of the consommé and fry in a hot skillet. Add cheese and shredded birria beef. Fold and crisp both sides until cheese is melted.
Serve
Top with chopped onion and cilantro. Serve with a side of the warm consommé for dipping and lime wedges on the side.
📦 Amazon Must-Haves to Help You Create the Best Birria Tacos
- 🌶️ Dried Guajillo & Ancho Chiles – Key to a rich, smoky, authentic flavor base.
- 🍖 Dutch Oven or Slow Cooker – Ideal for slow-cooking beef until it’s irresistibly tender.
- 🔪 Meat Shredder Claws – Makes shredding beef quick, safe, and easy.
- 🧀 Oaxaca Cheese or Mozzarella Shreds – Melts beautifully for that classic birria taco stretch.
- 🌮 Cast Iron Skillet – Gets your tacos crispy and golden every time.
- 🫙 Glass Storage Jars – Perfect for refrigerating leftover consommé or salsas.
🔥 Pro Tip: Make a big batch and freeze the leftovers. Birria tacos reheat beautifully — especially when you’re craving that taco truck experience on a Tuesday.