How to Make the Best Birria Tacos
How to Make the Best Birria Tacos is a medium Mexican recipe that serves 4. 520 calories per serving. Recipe by Chef Ryan on YouTube.
Prep: 25 min | Cook: 3 hrs 27 min | Total: 4 hrs 22 min
Cost: $46.26 total, $11.57 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 lb Chuck Roast (trimmed and cut into large chunks)
- 1 lb Short Ribs (bone‑in, cut into pieces)
- 1 tsp Salt (kosher salt)
- 1 tsp Black Pepper (freshly ground)
- 6 cup Beef Broth (low‑sodium)
- 3 Bell Peppers (mixed colors, stems and seeds removed)
- 7 clove Garlic (minced)
- 0.5 Onion (medium, diced)
- 1 Bay Leaf (whole)
- 1 Tomato (large, diced)
- 0.5 Chicken Bouillon Cube (half a cube (≈½ tsp))
- 1 tsp All-Purpose Seasoning "Mars Dust" (all‑natural seasoning blend)
- 8 Corn Tortillas (6‑inch, warmed)
- 1 cup Shredded Mexican Blend Cheese (grated)
- 0.25 cup Fresh Cilantro (chopped)
- 0.25 Onion (for topping) (thinly sliced)
- 1 cup Consommé (beef broth) (reserved from cooking liquid)
Instructions
Season and Sear the Meat
Pat the chuck roast and short ribs dry, season generously with salt and pepper, then sear in the Dutch oven over medium‑high heat until all sides are browned, about 5 minutes.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: medium‑high heat
Deglaze with Beef Broth
Add 2 cups of beef broth to the pot, scraping up the browned bits (fond) from the bottom. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
Time: PT2M
Temperature: medium heat
Prep the Pepper‑Garlic Vegetables
Remove stems and seeds from the bell peppers, then dice them. Mince the remaining garlic cloves, dice the half onion, and dice the tomato.
Time: PT10M
Simmer the Vegetables
Add the diced peppers, garlic, onion, bay leaf, tomato, and the remaining 4 cups of beef broth to the pot. Bring to a low simmer and cook until the peppers are very soft, about 15 minutes.
Time: PT15M
Temperature: low simmer
Blend and Strain the Sauce
Transfer the simmered vegetable mixture to a blender. Add half a chicken bouillon cube, the two extra garlic cloves, the Mars Dust seasoning, and 2 cups of beef broth to help blend. Blend until smooth, then pour through a fine mesh strainer back into the pot, discarding the pulp.
Time: PT5M
Slow‑Cook the Beef
Return the seared meat to the pot with the strained sauce. Cover and cook on low heat (or set a slow cooker to low) for about 3 hours, or until the meat falls apart easily.
Time: PT3H
Temperature: low heat
Shred the Beef
Remove the meat from the pot, let it cool slightly, then shred with two forks. Return the shredded beef to the pot and stir to coat with sauce.
Time: PT10M
Prepare Toppings
Chop cilantro, grate cheese, and thinly slice the topping onion. Set aside in small bowls.
Time: PT5M
Crisp the Tacos
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Warm a tortilla briefly, then add a generous spoonful of shredded beef, sprinkle cheese, cilantro, and onion. Press lightly and flip, cooking until the tortilla is golden and the cheese melts, about 5 minutes total.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: medium heat
Serve with Consommé
Arrange the crispy tacos on a plate, drizzle with a little of the reserved consommé, and serve the remaining broth in a small bowl for dipping.
Time: PT2M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 520
- Protein
- 32 g
- Carbohydrates
- 38 g
- Fat
- 22 g
- Fiber
- 5 g
Dietary info: Gluten‑free if using corn tortillas, High protein, Contains meat
Allergens: Dairy, Potential gluten (if using flour tortillas)
Last updated: April 18, 2026








