Description
This birria tacos cheese recipe combines slow-braised beef chuck in a rich chile consomme with melted Oaxaca cheese, folded into crispy pan-fried tortillas. Serve with warm consomme for dipping.
Ingredients
3 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into large chunks
4 dried guajillo chiles, stemmed and seeded
3 dried ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded
2 dried chiles de arbol, stemmed, optional
1 white onion, quartered
6 cloves garlic
2 Roma tomatoes
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 bay leaves
1 cinnamon stick
4 cups beef broth
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Salt to taste
16 small corn tortillas
3 cups shredded Oaxaca cheese
1/2 cup chopped white onion, for serving
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, for serving
Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
1. Toast guajillo, ancho, and arbol chiles in a dry skillet 30 seconds per side. Soak in hot water 15 minutes, then drain.
2. Blend soaked chiles with onion, garlic, tomatoes, cumin, oregano, and 1 cup beef broth until smooth.
3. Season beef with salt, place in a Dutch oven or slow cooker. Add chile sauce, remaining broth, bay leaves, cinnamon, and vinegar. Cook on low 4 to 5 hours stovetop or 6 to 8 hours slow cooker until shreddable.
4. Shred beef, discarding excess fat. Skim 1/2 cup fat from the braising liquid and reserve. Strain remaining liquid as consomme.
5. Dip tortillas in reserved fat, place in a hot skillet, add cheese and beef, fold in half.
6. Fry 2 to 3 minutes per side until crispy and cheese is melted. Serve with warm consomme, onion, cilantro, and lime.
Notes
Braise the beef a day ahead for deeper flavor and easier assembly.
Use a mix of Oaxaca and Monterey Jack if Oaxaca cheese is unavailable.
Cotija cheese does not melt well, use only as a topping, not inside the taco.
Store shredded beef and consomme separately in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat meat in consomme before frying fresh tortillas.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Dinner, Family Comfort
- Method: Braise, Pan-Fry
- Cuisine: Mexican, American Family Heritage
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg