This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
If tacos could flirt, these would be shameless. Melty cheese, slow-cooked beef, and a broth that seduces at first dip—this Easy Birria Taco Recipe is a whole experience. Go ahead, fall in love bite by bite.
It starts with a rich, chilli-packed sauce that simmers low and slow until the beef practically melts. Then comes the crispy tortilla, seared with cheese, dipped in all that flavor-packed goodness—the kind of taco that demands both hands—and probably a few napkins.

Why You’ll Love These Birria Tacos
First, it’s all about the flavor. We’re talking a sauce built on layers of toasted spices, dried chiles, and tomatoes that simmer into something deep, rich, and completely addictive. It’s cozy, spicy (but not too spicy), and full of that slow-cooked comfort you dream about.
Then there’s the texture—crispy tortillas dipped in that same flavorful broth, kissed by the pan, and finished with melty mozzarella that pulls in every bite. That combo of crunch, juicy beef, and oozy cheese? It’s basically taco perfection.
And if these smoky, saucy Birria Tacos have you craving more cozy Mexican-inspired flavors, you’re in for a treat. Try the Crispy Cilantro Lime Chicken—it’s packed with garlic and citrus, and gets that perfect golden crust in just one skillet. Or go slow and low with our Barbacoa Short Rib Tacos, where tender beef melts into a rich, bold sauce that’s practically drinkable. And don’t sleep on breakfast-for-dinner: the Huevos Rancheros Tortizza is fast, fiery, and ridiculously good with a runny egg on top.
What You’ll Need
We keep it simple—but bold. These core ingredients are what give Birria Taco Recipe its unforgettable flavor and cozy, soul-warming richness.
- Brisket or Flank Steak: Tender, juicy, and perfect for shredding. Brisket gives you that melt-in-your-mouth texture, but flank works great too, especially when thinly sliced.
- Dried Chiles (Guajillo, Pasilla, Ancho, Chipotle): These bring the smoky heat and deep red color that makes birria birria. Each one adds something special. Stores like Walmart & Kroger, and Whole Foods stock dried chiles in small packages.
- Toasted Spices: Cumin, cloves, and cinnamon! We make sure to toast them to unlock their earthy, aromatic goodness.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Not traditional, but oh yes—it’s the secret to those golden, cheesy taco edges we love.
- Tortillas: Corn tortillas (6 inch) are perfect here, especially once dipped in sauce and fried to crispy perfection.
Note: Please see Recipe Card at the bottom for full list of ingredients and measurements.
How To Make Birria Tacos
- Prep your ingredients. Start by slicing your onions into thin strips, quartering the tomatoes, and crushing an entire head of garlic. Clean the chiles by removing the seeds and veins (it’s a little messy, but essential for a smooth sauce). Set it all aside—you’ll be glad you did once the kitchen starts to smell amazing.
- Toast the spices. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the cumin seeds, cloves, cinnamon stick, for about 5 minutes. This step unlocks their full aroma—just don’t walk away or they’ll burn fast!
- Sear the beef. Clean your meat (trim away any extra fat), and give it a good sear in a bit of oil until browned on the outside. Tip: If your meat’s been in the fridge, let it come to room temp first—it cooks more evenly and tastes better that way.
- Build the flavor base. In the same oil, sauté the garlic until fragrant. Add the onions and cook until translucent, then stir in the tomatoes. Let them break down completely before adding the toasted spices and cleaned chiles. Let everything simmer together for about 10 minutes.
- Blend & strain. Transfer the mix to a blender and blitz until completely smooth. Strain the sauce using a fine mesh sieve to catch any remaining solids, then season with salt to taste. It should be rich, red, and smell incredible.
- Pressure cook to perfection. Add the sauce to your pressure cooker along with the seared beef and water. Seal and cook over medium-high heat for about 72 minutes. When it’s done, release the steam slowly and carefully—it’s hot!
- Shred and sauce the meat.
Once cool enough to handle, shred the beef finely. Add it to a pan with a couple of ladles of the sauce and fry it gently over medium-high heat until the sauce thickens around the meat.
- Fry the tortillas.
Dip your tortillas into the reserved sauce, then lay them on a hot non-stick pan. Sprinkle a handful mozzarella cheese directly on the pan, and place the tortilla right over it. Fry for 1 minute, flip, and cook another minute until everything is golden and crispy.
- Assemble and serve. Fill the tortillas with your juicy meat, chopped onions, and fresh cilantro. Serve with extra sauce on the side for dipping—because that’s half the fun.
- Serve and enjoy. Plate your tacos while they’re still warm, pour yourself something cold, and enjoy every juicy, cheesy bite. Don’t forget to dip into that rich consommé—it’s where all the magic is!
Don’t Let Your Tacos Be Lonely
Want to round out your Birria Taco Recipe with something irresistible? Try a slice of Super Moist Cornbread for that soft, buttery contrast. Add brightness with a refreshing Avocado Tomato Corn Salad, full of juicy flavors that cut through the richness. And for something simple but perfect, serve Corn On The Cob With Garlic Butter—ideal for dipping into any extra sauce on your plate.
FAQ’s
Totally. A slow cooker or even stovetop will do the trick—just give it a little more time (about 3 to 4 hours on the stove or 6–8 hours in the slow cooker) until the meat is fall-apart tender.
It has warmth and depth, but it’s not overly spicy. If you’re sensitive to heat, you can reduce or skip the chipotle. Want it hotter? Add more!
Make sure your pan is hot and non-stick, and don’t skip the cheese-under-the-tortilla trick—it creates a golden, lacy crust that holds everything together and tastes amazing.
Mozzarella is dreamy and melty, but if you want more bite, try mixing in some Oaxaca or Monterey Jack for extra flavor.
You might also like
Get a free eBook!
Subscribe to Cafe Delites FOR FREE and receive recipes straight into your inbox!
Easy Birria Tacos Recipe
Ingredients
- 2.2 lbs taco meat brisket and flank steak could both be good options!
- 1/4 cup onion cut into thin strips.
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese
- 8 medium tomatoes quartered.
- 1 whole head garlic one crushed whole head.
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 2 cloves garlic cloves
- 2 stick cinnamon stick
- 1 1/3 cups cooking oil grape seed oil and avocado oil are healthier choices.
- 1 tbsp salt
- 2.3 oz guajillo chiles
- 1.4 oz pasilla chiles
- 1½ tbsp chipotle chile
- 1.1 oz ancho chiles
- a pinch black pepper
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 2 cup water
- 1 tbsp beef bouillon powder (stock powder)
- 10 6' corn tortilla
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Slice onions, quarter tomatoes, crush garlic. Clean chiles by removing seeds and veins.
- Toast Spices:In a dry pan, toast cumin, garlic cloves, oregano, and cinnamon over medium heat for about 5 minutes until fragrant.
- Sear the Meat: Sear meat in oil until browned. If using refrigerated meat, let it come to room temperature first.
- Make the Sauce Base: In the same oil, sauté garlic until golden brown, then add onions. Cook until they become translucent, then add tomatoes, chiles and spices. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes.
- Blend and Strain: Blend the mix until smooth, then strain for a silky sauce. Add salt to taste.
- Pressure Cook: Place meat and sauce in pressure cooker, add water mixed with stock powder. Cook on medium-high for 72 minutes. Release steam carefully.
- Shred the Meat: Remove, shred, and return to a pan with two scoops of sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste, fry over medium-high until coated.
- Assemble the Tacos: Sprinkle cheese in a non-stick pan, dip the tortillas in sauce, and place them over the cheese. Cook for 1 minute on each side.
- Top and Serve: Fill with meat, fresh onion, cilantro, and a side of dipping sauce.
Notes
-
TIPS:
Don’t be shy—make extra birria! The sauce is so flavorful, you’ll want leftovers for quesadillas, tacos, or even over fries (trust me). Meat Tip:
If you’re prepping ahead, let the meat chill in the sauce overnight before cooking. It deepens the flavor and makes everything extra tender. No Pressure Cooker?
You can totally use a slow cooker (8 hours on low) or bake in a covered Dutch oven at 160°C for about 3–4 hours until fork-tender. Cheese Swap:
Mozzarella is classic, but you can go bold with Oaxaca cheese or a mild cheddar. Even Monterey Jack melts beautifully and adds a nice stretch. Make It Your Own:
This recipe is super adaptable. Not feeling beef? Try lamb shoulder or chicken thighs. Craving spice? Add more Chipotle or a splash of hot sauce to the consommé. Storage:
Leftover birria and sauce keep in the fridge for up to 4 days, and they freeze like a dream. Just reheat gently before using to bring the flavors back to life. Reheat Tip:
To re-crisp tacos, heat them in a dry skillet for a few minutes per side. They’ll be just as good—if not better—the next day.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What is stock powder and where can I buy it?
Hi Dee, beef bouillon powder, which can be found in your local grocery store, thanks for bringing this to my attention. I hope you like them as much as I do.
How many tortillas? What kind? Size?
Hi Rf, small corn tortillas (around 4-6 inches) are generally preferred for their ability to crisp up when dipped in the birria consommé and fried. Thanks for the comment.
ME ENCANTA LA RECETA
Looks fantastic, but not surprised – your recipes NEVER fail! Love your updated website too! Missed seeing you and your super delicious recipes for a while but so glad to be getting new recipes in my inbox again!
God bless you Karina!
Thank you, Lina. So happy to be back, thank you for supporting me! I have many more recipes coming your way!
Nutrition info doesn’t mention serving size. Is it one taco.. or three? Because I can’t imagine stopping at one! 😎
Hi Donna, I have updated the recipe to reflect the carbs from the corn tortillas; the serving size is one taco. I can’t stop at one either; just FYI, it depends on how much you fill your tacos. I made 10 tacos from 2.2 lbs of meat.