Birria Beef Tacos

Extremely flavorful and currently on trend. It does take longer to prepare compared to Carne Asada and Pollo Tacos, but it is so worth it.

There are a couple of methods to make this flavorful dish, you could use a Dutch oven or an Instant Pot. This recipe uses the Instant Pot as we wanted to test how delicious they are for being made in a shorter time. Especially if you are going to use this recipe for a party or a dinner party as you may not have time to let it stew for hours. Caution against planning for Birria Beef Tacos at a party. While the Beef and Consume can be prepared ahead of time, there is still quite a bit of work to crisp the tortilla, melt the cheese and serve.

If you were to google the recipe, you will find many different recipe. You could use different meats like lamb and goat, or even mix Chuck Roast and Short Ribs. The chiles could also be different based on availability or taste. This is how we made ours.

For simplicity sake, we used 2-3 pounds of Chuck roast. We used 4 pods California chili as well as 4 pods of Arbol Chili. Although you can use vegetable oil, we used Olive Oil. Basic seasonings Salt and Black Pepper to season the meat, cumin, ground ginger, cinnamon stick and clove during browning the onions. Instead of Chicken Bouillon we used 2 cups of beef broth. To make the meat tender we used Apple Cider Vinegar, although there are alternatives.

To make this into a Quesabirria, add shredded Oaxaca cheese when prepping the tortilla.

Preparation

We recommend getting as much prepared ahead of time as once the Instant Pot is on, it goes quick. Starting with the meat, cut Chuck Roast into 2 Inch cubes, salt and pepper them. For the chilis, cut off the stem, remove seeds (up to you), cut them down the middle the long way. If you want it spicier don’t be as exact with removing the seeds. Cut the onions into wedges, we cut them into eight parts. Peel the garlic and crush it with the knife. Gather your spices ahead of time, ground cumin, ground ginger, cinnamon sticks and 2 cloves. 

Cooking

In the Instant Pot on Sauté mode, add some olive oil. Roasting the chilis is optional, but if you do, add the chilis to roast. Its best not to overlap, give it space to roast nicely. Then put it in a small saucepan and fill it 2 inches of water . Let it boil then turn off heat and cover for 10 minutes.

While the chilis are “hydrating.” Brown the beef in the Insta Pot while it’s still in sauté mode. Same thing, don’t overcrowd, you will probably need to do this in 4 batches. They say if flips over easily it’s perfectly browned. Then remove it onto a plate. Still in sauté mode, add the onion wedges. Stir for about 4 minutes enough to brown not burn. Add the garlic, stir an additional minute or so. Add the spices, cumin, ground ginger, cinnamon sticks and cloves. Stir it in the veggies before adding 2 cups of beef stock and 1/4 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar. Stir but also make sure to scrape the bottom.

While that’s going, take the the hydrated chilis, drain water and put it into a blender. Add your Roma tomatoes, oregano and blend. I suggest adding a bit more of salt and pepper as well as garlic powder for flavor. Put that into the Instant Pot. Finally, put the Chuck Roast back in and add 2 bay leaves. Cover and turn on Instant Pot. I put mine on high for 50 minutes with pressure valve closed.

Release pressure.

Scoop out the meat with tongs to shred. Very important, strain out the consume and pour over shredded meat. 

Assembling Birria Tacos

The consume that is made from the Birria Stew is used to flavor the tortilla. Lay a corn tortilla over the the consume then crisp it on a skillet. If you are going to make a Quesabirria, add shredded Oaxaca Cheese at this point. Add your Birria. You are all set, you can top it with onions and cilantro, serve with a lime. Enjoy!

Conclusion

As mentioned, this recipe can be made with a Dutch Oven. Just plan for a longer cook time as you would need to simmer it for 3 hours or so. There is a recipe I am looking forward to trying from one of my favorite bloggers. Here is the link to Preppy Kitchen’s Beef Birria.