Birria is a savory stew traditionally made with goat or lamb. Though originally a dish associated with Mexican culinary traditions, it has recently gained popularity as a delectable street food, particularly when served in tacos. The unique twist comes from dipping the shredded meat in a rich, crimson consommé. Add some cheese, and you’ve got a meal that’s become a street food sensation.
If you’re looking to try this mouth-watering dish at home, here’s a guide to making birria tacos, from the preparation of the stew to assembling and serving it with fresh toppings. Treat yourself to a feast at Space City Birria Tacos and More.
Birria is a slow-cooked stew typically made with goat or lamb, and occasionally beef. The key to its incredible flavor lies in the combination of spices and dried chilies. Traditionally, the stew is simmered for hours until the meat becomes so tender it practically falls apart. The meat is then shredded and used in various dishes, including the now-famous birria tacos. This dish is particularly well-known for its consommé—a spiced broth that adds a rich, flavorful dimension when used as a dipping sauce.
How to Make Birria Tacos
While birria is traditionally a goat or lamb stew, it’s often made with beef, particularly for birria tacos. Using beef offers convenience and can be just as flavorful. A combination of brisket and short ribs works wonderfully for this recipe, providing both flavor and a thicker texture for the consommé, which enhances the final dish.
Ingredients:
- Tortillas: Soft corn tortillas are ideal, though flour tortillas can be used if you prefer. Corn tortillas have a sturdiness that helps prevent them from breaking when filled and dipped into the consommé.
- Cheese: Traditional Mexican cheeses like Oaxaca, queso asadero, or chihuahua are excellent options. However, if you cannot find these, Monterey Jack or Mozzarella will work just fine.
- Birria Stew: While making birria from scratch is certainly worth the effort, there are pre-made options available that can save time without sacrificing flavor.
Making the Birria
The secret to birria lies in its carefully selected spices. The key flavors come from a combination of dried chilies like guajillo, ancho, and chile de árbol. These chilies are soaked in water, blended, and then cooked with spices such as cumin, oregano, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and bay leaves. Despite the inclusion of chilies, the result is not overly spicy—chilies like guajillo and ancho add depth of flavor rather than heat, making the dish accessible to a wide range of palates.
The beef should be slow-cooked for at least 7-8 hours to achieve its melt-in-your-mouth texture. After cooking, the meat is shredded and seasoned with salt. Meanwhile, the leftover broth from the stew becomes the consommé, which is served as a dipping sauce with the tacos.
Serving Birria Tacos
Once the birria is ready, it’s time to assemble the tacos. To do this:
- Heat a tortilla on a pan and add a little birria meat in the center.
- Top it with cheese, cilantro, and finely chopped white onions.
- Fold the tortilla and cook it like a quesadilla until the cheese melts and the tortilla becomes crispy.
- Serve with a small bowl of consommé on the side for dipping.
For an extra flavor boost, sprinkle some lime juice over the tacos just before eating. Pair the tacos with sides like beans or a fresh salad for a more filling meal.
Birria Sauce (Consommé)
The consommé, or broth, is an essential part of birria tacos. Made from the juices and spices leftover from the slow-cooked beef, it’s rich, spicy, and deeply flavorful. Some of the key ingredients that give the consommé its characteristic richness include guajillo and chile de árbol peppers, annatto paste, tomatoes, onions, and aromatic spices. After the stew has been cooked, the liquid is strained to separate it from the meat and vegetables, leaving behind a deeply flavorful broth.
The consommé is a versatile sauce—it’s not only used for dipping tacos but can also serve as the base for soups or be added to other dishes like enchiladas or chilaquiles. It’s what makes birria tacos so special. Every bite dipped into this savory broth bursts with smoky, spiced, and slightly sweet flavors.
Tips for Making Birria
- Slow Cooking: Whether you’re using a slow cooker or stovetop, it’s important to give the beef plenty of time to cook slowly. This ensures that the meat becomes tender and fully absorbs all the flavors of the spices and chilies.
- Make Ahead: Birria can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to a few days or frozen for future use. It reheats easily on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Large Batches: If you’re planning to make a big batch for a gathering, the recipe can be doubled or tripled. Birria tacos are a great option for serving a crowd, and the leftovers can be used in various other Mexican dishes.
Birria’s Popularity as Street Food
In recent years, birria tacos have taken social media by storm. Food enthusiasts everywhere are trying their hand at making this mouth-watering dish. The combination of tender shredded meat, melted cheese, and the crispy tortilla makes it a perfect street food. The fact that these tacos are served with a dipping sauce sets them apart from other tacos, adding an interactive and flavorful element to the dining experience.
While birria has deep roots in traditional cooking, its modern adaptations make it a versatile and popular dish. Many people have experimented with variations of the recipe, using different types of meat, altering the spice blend, or even creating fusion dishes that combine birria with other global cuisines.
Birria Variations and Other Uses
Though birria is most famously used in tacos, it is also a versatile base for other dishes. Birria enchiladas, birria chilaquiles, and even birria soup have become popular ways to enjoy this delicious stew. The consommé, in particular, is an excellent base for any number of soups or stews, adding an intensely savory flavor.
Birria tacos are a fantastic way to experience the rich, layered flavors of traditional birria in a fun, approachable format. Whether you’re making it for a quiet weekend meal or a large gathering, birria tacos are sure to impress. With their tender meat, cheesy filling, and flavorful broth, they offer a unique take on tacos that’s hard to resist. Give this recipe a try, and soon you’ll see why birria has become a beloved dish both in its homeland and around the world.