Buckle up, my friends, because we’re about to embark on a flavor adventure with the one and only Birria Tacos! These aren’t your average tacos – oh no, no, no. We’re talking about a delectable, melt-in-your-mouth experience that will have you doing a happy dance in the kitchen. 🕺 Get ready to impress your taste buds and maybe even your dinner guests (if you’re willing to share, that is).
Why You’ll Love This Birria Tacos Recipe

Hold onto your taste buds, because this Birria Tacos recipe is about to blow your mind! 🤯 Not only are they insanely delicious, but they’re also super easy to make. Trust me, you’ll be the talk of the town (or at least the group chat) when you serve up these bad boys. 😎 And the best part? They’re the perfect comfort food to warm your soul on a chilly night. So grab your apron, put on your best comedy routine, and let’s get cooking!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Alright, let’s gather the goods for this Birria Tacos masterpiece. You’ll need some juicy beef, a few spices to make your taste buds do a little happy dance, and a handful of other ingredients that will transform your kitchen into a Mexican fiesta. 🌮 Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you have everything you need – no need to call in a search party.
- 2 lbs — Beef chuck roast or brisket
- 1 large — Onion, diced
- 4 cloves — Garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp — Chili powder
- 1 tsp — Ground cumin
Ingredient Swaps (No Panic Allowed)
- Beef → Chicken or pork (still delicious, promise) ✅
- Tacos → Burrito bowls (easy dietary swap) 👍
How to Make Birria Tacos (Step-by-Step)
Alright, time to put on our chef hats and get down to business. 👩🍳 First, we need to do a little prep work – nothing too crazy, I promise. We’ll season the beef, sauté some onions and garlic, and get the party started. 🎉 Then, it’s time for the main event: the slow-cooked, fall-off-the-bone beef that’s going to make your tastebuds weep tears of joy. 😭 Once that’s all done, we’ll assemble the tacos and get ready to take this flavor explosion to the next level. Trust me, by the time you’re done, your kitchen is going to smell like a Mexican fiesta and your belly is going to be begging for seconds. 💯
Step 1: Prep Work
First things first, let’s get the prep work out of the way. Grab a big ol’ pot, throw in some beef (or chicken, or pork – your choice!), a few aromatic veggies, and let’s get that seasoning party started. 🌶️ Once everything is nicely coated, it’s time to let the slow-cooking magic happen. Kick back, relax, and let the aroma fill your kitchen. 😌
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Now, this is where the real fun begins. 🤩 We’re talking about slow-cooked, melt-in-your-mouth beef that’s going to have your taste buds doing the happy dance. Just let that meat simmer away until it’s practically falling apart, soaking up all those delicious flavors. 👅 And if you happen to sneak a taste or two along the way, I won’t judge. 🤫
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Alright, now that the hard part is out of the way, it’s time to assemble these bad boys. Grab your tortillas (or taco shells, or even lettuce wraps – you do you!), load ’em up with that juicy, flavor-packed beef, and get ready to experience a taco explosion in your mouth. 🌮 Don’t forget to top it all off with your favorite toppings – think fresh cilantro, tangy lime, and a drizzle of that mouth-watering consommé. 🤤
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Alright, now that the tacos are all put together, it’s time for the finishing touches. 🎨 Give those tortillas a quick dip in the Birria consommé to really amp up the flavor, and don’t be shy with the toppings. Chopped onions, fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime – the works! 🌿 Trust me, these little details are going to take your Birria Tacos to the next level of deliciousness.
How to Know It’s Done (No Guessing)

Alright, let’s talk about how to tell when your Birria Tacos are ready to rock. 🕰️
Look for
- The beef should be so tender that it practically falls apart just by looking at it.
- The color should be a deep, rich reddish-brown that’s just begging to be devoured.
- An internal temp of around 200°F.
Avoid
- Dry, shredded beef.
- A thin, watery consommé.
If it’s too… here’s the fix
- Too salty — Add a splash of broth or water to mellow it out.
- Too dry — Add a little extra consommé or a sprinkle of water.
Optional temp note (only if it makes sense): Not needed here — visual cues are enough.
What to Do If It Goes Wrong (Fix-It Guide)
Uh oh, did something go wrong with your Birria Tacos? Don’t panic, my friend – I’ve got your back! 🆘
- Too salty — Add a splash of broth or water to mellow it out.
- Too dry — Add a little extra consommé or a sprinkle of water.
- Too runny — Let it simmer for a bit longer to thicken things up.
- Not browning — Crank up the heat and let it sizzle until it’s got that gorgeous caramelized crust.
If you love learning kitchen rescue tricks, you might also enjoy these Mexican cooking tips and taco techniques from Serious Eats.
Good news: almost everything is fixable. Panic is optional. 😌
Recipe Variations & Tips (Tiny Checklist, Big Energy)

Before you freestyle: run this quick checklist like a kitchen boss.
- Make it cheesy — Add some melty Oaxaca or Monterey Jack. ✅
- Spice it up — Load it up with chopped jalapeños or a sprinkle of chili powder. ✅
- Swap the tortillas — Try crispy taco shells or serve it up as a burrito bowl. 🎉
- Get creative — The possibilities are endless, so have fun and let your inner chef shine! 🚀
Warning: This may cause sudden happiness and suspicious silence at the dinner table. Proceed responsibly. 😅
Serving & Storage
| Topic | Notes |
|---|---|
| Best serving ideas | Serve the Birria Tacos with a side of that delicious consommé for dipping, or try topping them with diced onions, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. 🌟 |
| Fridge storage | Store the cooked beef and consommé separately in the fridge for up to 4 days. |
| Freezer storage | Freeze the cooked beef and consommé in airtight containers for up to 3 months. |
| Reheating | Reheat the beef and consommé together on the stove or in the microwave until piping hot. |
| Make-ahead tips | You can prepare the beef and consommé a day or two in advance, then just assemble the tacos when you’re ready to serve. |
Nutrition Notes
Alright, let’s talk about the good stuff – the nutrition info for these Birria Tacos! 🍽️ Each serving is packed with protein from the beef, plus a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals from the onions, garlic, and spices. 💪 And the best part? It’s all wrapped up in a delicious, comforting package that’s going to have your taste buds doing the happy dance. 💃 So go ahead, indulge in this flavor explosion – your body will thank you. 😉
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Protein: 35 g
- Carbs: 25 g
- Fat: 22 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
BIRRIA TACOS RECIPE YOU’LL CRAVE EVERY WEEK 😍
Enjoy these flavorful birria tacos filled with tender meat and served with a side of delicious consomé for dipping.
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients
– 2 lbs bone-in chicken (thighs or drumsticks)
– 4 dried guajillo chiles
– 2 dried ancho chiles
– 1 onion, quartered
– 4 cloves garlic
– 1 tsp cumin
– 1 tsp oregano
– 1 tsp black pepper
– 2 cloves
– 2 cups beef or chicken broth
– Salt to taste
– Corn tortillas
– Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
– Diced onion (for garnish)
– Lime wedges (for serving)
Instructions
1.
2. 1. In a pot, boil the chicken until cooked through, about 30-35 minutes.
3. 2. Meanwhile, toast the dried chiles in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes.
4. 3. Remove the stems and seeds from the chiles and place them in a blender with onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, black pepper, cloves, and broth. Blend until smooth.
5. 4. Once the chicken is cooked, shred the meat and mix it with the blended sauce in the pot.
6. 5. Let it simmer for another 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
7. 6. To serve, dip the tortillas in the sauce and warm them on a skillet. Fill with the chicken mixture and top with cilantro and diced onions.
8. 7. Serve with lime wedges and a small bowl of consomé for dipping.
Notes
– For a richer flavor, use beef instead of chicken.
– Birria can also be made in a slow cooker; just cook on low for 6-8 hours.
– Adjust the spiciness by adding more or fewer chiles to your preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Chicken Dinners & Wings 🍗
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: birria, tacos, chicken, Mexican food
Quick Questions People Always Ask
When it comes to Birria Tacos, you’ll want to use a tougher, more flavorful cut of beef, like chuck roast or brisket. These cuts will become super tender and juicy after the long, slow cooking process.
Absolutely! Birria Tacos are super versatile, so you can definitely switch up the protein. Chicken or pork will work just as well – just adjust the cooking time as needed.
To really amp up the flavor of the consommé, be sure to toast the spices before adding them to the pot. You can also throw in some beef or chicken bones for extra richness.
Yes, you can definitely make Birria Tacos in the slow cooker or Instant Pot! The cooking method will be a little different, but the end result will still be that melt-in-your-mouth, flavor-packed deliciousness.
For the best texture and flavor, I recommend reheating the cooked beef and consommé together on the stove or in the microwave. This will help the beef stay nice and juicy.