Authentic Beef Birria Tacos

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make Authentic Beef Birria Tacos.

1. Step 1

   Begin by gathering all your ingredients and preheating your oven to a cozy 325°F (165°C).

2. Step 2

   Fill a pot with water and bring it to a vigorous boil.

3. Step 3

   Once boiling, introduce the guajillo, arbol, and ancho chile peppers, allowing them to simmer for about 5 minutes.

4. Step 4

   Afterward, remove the pot from heat and let the peppers soak until they cool down, reserving 1/4 cup of the flavorful cooking water before draining.

5. Step 5

   While the peppers are soaking, rinse the beef and pat it dry with paper towels.

6. Step 6

   If you prefer, cut the beef into chunks and season generously with salt and pepper.

7. Step 7

   In a Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and sear the beef until it’s beautifully browned on all sides, which should take around 10 minutes.

8. Step 8

   Once browned, set the beef aside.

9. Step 9

   Next, line a heavy cast-iron grill pan or griddle with aluminum foil and place it over high heat.

10. Step 10

    Arrange the tomatoes in a single layer and grill them until their skins are charred and starting to peel, about 3 to 5 minutes.

11. Step 11

    In a blender, combine the soaked chile peppers, vinegar, garlic, black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, cumin, thyme, marjoram, oregano, and salt.

12. Step 12

    Pour in the reserved 1/4 cup of chile water and blend until you achieve a smooth, rich sauce.

13. Step 13

    Strain this vibrant chile sauce through a mesh strainer and pour it over the seared beef in the Dutch oven, ensuring every piece is well-coated.

14. Step 14

    Cover the pot with a lid.

15. Step 15

    Now, it’s time to let the magic happen in the oven.

16. Step 16

    Bake the birria, basting the meat with the sauce every 45 minutes, until it becomes tender and starts to fall apart, which should take about 3 to 4 hours.

17. Step 17

    For the final touch, remove the lid and bake uncovered for an additional 20 minutes to achieve a delightful crispy top.

18. Step 18

    Once your birria is ready, take the meat out and let it rest for 10 minutes, covered with aluminum foil.

19. Step 19

    After resting, shred the meat using two forks and mix it back into the pot with the sauce.

20. Step 20

    To create your delicious tacos, fill each tortilla with the succulent birria and top it off with Mexican cheese, chopped onion, and fresh cilantro.

21. Step 21

    Warm the tortillas on a griddle, flipping them until both sides are crispy and the cheese is perfectly melted.

22. Step 22

    Serve your tacos with extra sauce on the side for dipping, and enjoy a culinary experience that transports you straight to the heart of Mexico.