Beef Birria Tacos (Quesabirria) – Crispy, Juicy & Full of Flavor

These Beef Birria Tacos, also known as Quesabirria, are the viral Mexican-style tacos that everyone loves! Slow-braised beef in a rich chile broth, then tucked into corn tortillas with melty cheese and pan-fried until crispy—finally dipped into that flavorful birria consomé. They’re juicy, crispy, cheesy, and absolutely unforgettable.

🌮 Why You’ll Love This Birria Taco Recipe

• Tender, fall-apart beef

• Crispy, cheesy tacos with bold flavor

• Perfect for weekends, parties, and Taco Tuesday

• Restaurant-quality at home

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• 📝 Ingredients

  For the Birria Beef:

  • 3 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into large chunks

  • 3 dried guajillo chiles, seeded

  • 2 dried ancho chiles, seeded

  • 1 dried pasilla chile (optional)

  • 1 medium onion, quartered

  • 4 cloves garlic

  • 2 Roma tomatoes

  • 1 tsp ground cumin

  • 1 tsp dried oregano

  • ½ tsp ground cloves

  • ½ tsp cinnamon

  • 2 bay leaves

  • Salt & pepper to taste

  • 4 cups beef broth

  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

  For the Tacos:

  • Corn tortillas

  • Oaxaca or mozzarella cheese, shredded

  • Chopped onion & cilantro

  • Lime wedges

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  👩‍🍳 Instructions

  Step 1: Make the Birria Sauce

  1. Toast dried chiles in a hot skillet for 30–60 seconds.

  2. Soak chiles in hot water for 15 minutes.

  3. Blend chiles, onion, garlic, tomatoes, spices, vinegar, and 1 cup broth until smooth.

  Step 2: Cook the Beef

  4. Season beef with salt and pepper.

  5. Add beef to a large pot or Dutch oven.

  6. Pour sauce over beef and add remaining broth + bay leaves.

  7. Cover and simmer on low for 3 hours (or slow cooker 6–8 hrs / Instant Pot 60 min).

  Step 3: Shred the Beef

  8. Remove beef and shred with forks.

  9. Skim fat from top of broth (save it!).

  Step 4: Assemble & Fry Tacos

  10. Dip tortillas in the reserved fat.

  11. Fill with cheese + shredded beef.

  12. Fold and fry in a skillet until golden and crispy on both sides.

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  🍽️ Serve With

  • Birria consomé for dipping

  • Fresh cilantro & onion

  • Lime juice

  • Mexican rice or street corn

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  💡 Pro Tips

  • The fat from the broth = flavor for frying tortillas

  • Let beef rest in broth before shredding

  • Use corn tortillas for authentic texture

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  📌 Storage

  • Birria beef keeps 4 days in the fridge

  • Freeze for up to 3 months