Easy Beef Birria Tacos Recipe
Recipe posted in: Flex Meals & Snacks, Lunches & Dinners, Main Courses
Dive into the world of mouthwatering Mexican cuisine with our simple yet sensational Easy Beef Birria Tacos recipe. Originating from Jalisco, Mexico, this dish has captured the hearts and taste buds of food enthusiasts worldwide.
Birria Tacos, with their rich and complex flavors, originate from the Mexican state of Jalisco, but have gained popularity across the globe for their irresistible combination of tender, juicy beef and aromatic spices.
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, looking for a delicious family meal, or simply craving something new and exciting, this Easy Beef Birria Tacos recipe promises to deliver big flavors with minimal fuss. Get ready to transform your kitchen into the best taco spot in town!
Easy Beef Birria Tacos Recipe: A Flavorful Mexican Delight
Immerse yourself in the rich flavors of traditional Mexican cuisine with this Easy Beef Birria Tacos recipe. Perfect for any occasion, this dish offers a delectable combination of tender beef and aromatic spices, easily serving up to 16 people. Ideal for those on Nutrisystem, each serving qualifies as two SmartCarbs and two PowerFuels.
Ingredients for Beef Birria
The base of these tantalizing tacos starts with a homemade birria sauce, which you can create by blending chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, distilled white vinegar, garlic and no-salt-added crushed tomatoes, along with a mix of traditional spices.
You’ll need beef chuck roast and lean sirloin steak, both cut into manageable pieces, and seasoned with black pepper for searing. Olive oil and a bit of low-sodium beef broth are essential for cooking and deglazing, adding layers of flavor to the dish.
Cooking Method for Beef Birria
Begin by heating olive oil in a large pot or Instant Pot set to sauté mode. After searing the seasoned meat, soften some chopped onions in the same pot, then deglaze with broth.
Return the meat to the pot, adding the blended sauce, a cinnamon stick and bay leaves. Cook until the meat shreds effortlessly. This can be accomplished using various methods such as an Instant Pot, a Dutch oven or a slow cooker, depending on your cooking preference and equipment.
How to Make Birria Tacos
Once the beef is cooked and shredded, start assembling the tacos. Heat a skillet and dip a corn tortilla into the birria sauce before placing it in the skillet. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on half of the tortilla, top with shredded beef, red onion and fresh cilantro. Fold and cook until slightly crispy. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, serving the finished tacos with extra birria sauce for an added kick.
These Easy Beef Birria Tacos are not only bursting with flavor but also embrace the essence of Mexican culinary tradition. Whether you’re looking to impress guests or just want to enjoy a flavorful meal with family, this recipe promises satisfaction and a delightful eating experience. Enjoy crafting this culinary masterpiece that’s sure to be a hit at any gathering.
Customizing Your Beef Birria Tacos Recipe
Variations in Spices and Ingredients
To personalize your Beef Birria Tacos, consider experimenting with the spices and additional ingredients. If you prefer a spicier kick, add more chipotle peppers or introduce other chili varieties like ancho or guajillo for a deeper flavor profile. For those who enjoy a touch of sweetness, a hint of brown sugar or a splash of orange juice can balance the heat beautifully.
In terms of ingredients, you might swap the beef for lamb or goat, which are traditional meats for birria in some regions of Mexico. Vegetarians can even enjoy this recipe by substituting mushrooms or jackfruit for a meatless version that retains the rich, smoky sauce.
Cheese and Toppings
While mozzarella is suggested for its mild flavor and excellent melting qualities, other cheeses like Oaxaca, asadero or even a sharp cheddar can be used to add different tastes and textures. Fresh toppings such as diced avocados, lime wedges and sliced radishes can enhance the freshness and add a crunchy texture to each bite. A dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of queso fresco can also be delightful.
Serving Suggestions for Birria Beef
Beyond Tacos
While birria is traditionally served in taco form, its versatility makes it suitable for various dishes. Use the shredded beef as a filling for burritos or enchiladas. Layer it in a quesadilla with plenty of cheese for a delicious twist.
Birria Ramen
For a trendy fusion dish, try birria ramen. Simply add the shredded beef and some of its cooking broth to a pot of cooked ramen noodles. Garnish with chopped onions, cilantro and a squeeze of lime for a comforting dish that combines Mexican flavors with Asian-inspired noodle soup.
Birria Poutine
Another innovative way to enjoy birria beef is to make birria poutine. Replace the traditional gravy with birria sauce and pour it over a bed of crispy fries topped with cheese curds. The result is a hearty, indulgent dish that’s perfect for sharing.
As a Main Course
Serve birria beef as a standalone main course, accompanied by a side of Mexican rice, refried beans or a fresh salad. This is a fantastic option for a family dinner or when hosting a dinner party, allowing guests to appreciate the full flavor of the birria in a more formal setting.
These customization and serving options allow you to adapt the Easy Beef Birria Tacos recipe to fit any occasion, taste preference and dietary requirement, making it a versatile choice for any meal.
Servings: 16 (1 serving = 4 tacos)
Calories per Serving: 385
On Nutrisystem, Count As: 2 SmartCarbs and 2 PowerFuels
Ingredients:
- 3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- ¼ cup distilled white vinegar
- 5 cloves garlic
- ½ cup crushed tomatoes, no salt added
- 1 tsp. oregano
- ½ tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. cumin
- ¼ tsp. ground cloves
- 2 cups beef broth, low sodium, divided
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
- 2 ½ lbs. beef chuck roast, cut into fourths
- 1 lb. lean sirloin steak, cut in half
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 bay leaves
- 64 corn tortillas
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, part skim
- 1 red onion, chopped
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Directions:
- Beef Birria
- In a blender, combine chipotle peppers, vinegar, garlic, crushed tomatoes, oregano, paprika, cumin, ground cloves and 1 cup of broth.
- Heat a large pot with 1 tablespoon of olive oil set to medium-high heat (or SAUTE mode on Instant Pot).
- Season the meat with black pepper and place it into the hot pot. Sear all sides of the meat, then remove and set aside.
- Add remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pot. Add the onions and cook until soft. Set aside.
- Add a little bit of broth and deglaze the bottom of the pot by scraping it with a wooden spoon to release the brown bits.
- Return the meat to the pot along with the sauce, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves and remaining broth.
- Cook until the beef is fully cooked and shreds easily. (Instant Pot - Cook for 45 minutes and let it release naturally; Oven - Using a Dutch oven, cook at 350°F for 2 ½-3 hours; Slow Cooker - Cook on low for 6-8 hours.)
- Once finished cooking, remove a cup or two of the sauce. Shred the beef.
- Birria Tacos
- Heat a skillet to medium heat. Dip a tortilla into the sauce, then add to the pan.
- Top half of the tortilla with mozzarella cheese, beef, red onion and cilantro.
- Fold the tortilla in half and cook on both sides until slightly crispy.
- Repeat process with remaining tortillas. Serve tacos with remaining sauce for dipping.