Birria Tacos with Rich Consomme
Birria Tacos with Rich Consomme is a traditional Mexican dish featuring tender, slow-cooked beef chuck roast marinated in a smoky, flavorful chili sauce. The meat is served inside crispy, consomme-soaked corn tortillas and accompanied by a rich, aromatic consommé for dipping. This recipe delivers authentic layered spices and comforting warmth, perfect for a cozy dinner or entertaining guests.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 2 hours to overnight marinating)
- Cook Time: 3 to 4 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes to 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 tacos 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Simmering and Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Gluten Free
Meat and Marinade
- 3 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into large chunks
- 5 dried guajillo chilies, stems and seeds removed
- 3 dried ancho chilies, stems and seeds removed
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 medium tomatoes
- 1 medium onion, quartered
- 1 cup hot water (for soaking chilies)
Broth and Aromatics
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- 4 cups water or beef broth
Tacos and Garnishes
- 12 corn tortillas
- 1 cup shredded Oaxaca or mozzarella cheese (optional)
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 medium white onion, finely chopped (for garnish)
- 2 limes, cut into wedges
- Prepare the Chili Sauce: Remove stems and seeds from the dried guajillo and ancho chilies. Lightly toast them in a dry skillet until fragrant, then soak in hot water until softened. Blend the softened chilies with garlic, tomatoes, onion, and a bit of the soaking liquid to create a vibrant, flavorful sauce for marinating the meat.
- Marinate the Meat: Cut the beef chuck into large chunks and thoroughly coat with the chili sauce. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Cook the Birria: In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the marinated meat and sauce with bay leaves, cinnamon stick, cloves, and 4 cups of water or beef broth. Simmer gently over low heat for 3 to 4 hours until the meat is tender and easily shredded, and the consommé develops a rich, aromatic flavor.
- Shred the Meat: Remove the meat from the pot and shred finely using forks. Skim excess fat from the consommé to keep it clear and flavorful.
- Assemble the Tacos: Dip corn tortillas into the warm consommé to soften and coat them. Place tortillas on a hot skillet, add shredded meat, and sprinkle with cheese if using. Cook until tortillas are crispy and cheese is melted. Fold tortillas over the filling to form tacos.
- Serve with Rich Consomme: Serve the crispy tacos alongside warm consommé for dipping. Garnish with finely chopped onions, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime for the perfect balance of flavors.
Notes
- Use quality dried chilies for the authentic depth of flavor in both sauce and consommé.
- Marinate the meat overnight to allow spices to fully penetrate and enhance flavor.
- Simmer the birria low and slow to achieve tender meat and rich consommé.
- Skim excess fat from consommé to maintain its clarity and taste.
- Dip tortillas in consommé before crisping for added flavor and perfect texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Birria Tacos, Mexican, Beef Birria, Consomme, Slow Cooked Meat, Authentic Mexican Tacos