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Quesabirria Tacos: A Flavorful Twist on a Classic


  • Author: amelia
  • Total Time: 52 minute
  • Yield: 12 tacos 1x

Description

This recipe transforms the traditional birria into cheesy, crispy tacos with all the rich, flavorful goodness you love. The beef is slow-cooked in a delicious broth and then combined with cheese for the ultimate taco experience.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Birria (Meat):

  • 2 lbs beef chuck roast (or short ribs)

  • 3 dried guajillo chilies

  • 2 dried ancho chilies

  • 1 dried pasilla chili

  • 1 onion, quartered

  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled

  • 2 tsp ground cumin

  • 2 tsp dried oregano

  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon

  • 1 tsp ground cloves

  • 2 bay leaves

  • 1 tsp salt (or to taste)

  • 4 cups beef broth

For the Tacos:

  • 12 small corn tortillas

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella or Oaxaca cheese

  • 1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro

  • 1/2 cup chopped onion

  • Lime wedges, for serving

Optional:

  • Salsa for topping

  • Sour cream for dipping


Instructions

  1. Prepare the Birria Meat:

    • In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat some oil and sear the beef on all sides until browned.

    • Remove the beef and set it aside.

    • In the same pot, add the guajillo, ancho, and pasilla chilies. Toast for a minute until fragrant, then add the onion and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes.

    • Add the spices (cumin, oregano, cinnamon, cloves), bay leaves, and beef broth to the pot. Stir everything together and bring to a simmer.

    • Add the seared beef back to the pot, cover, and cook on low heat for 2-3 hours, or until the beef is very tender and shreds easily.

    • Remove the beef, shred it using two forks, and strain the broth. Reserve the broth for dipping.

  2. Assemble the Tacos:

    • Heat a griddle or skillet over medium heat.

    • Lightly dip each corn tortilla into the birria broth (just enough to moisten) and place it on the skillet.

    • Add a generous amount of shredded cheese and a few tablespoons of the shredded beef to the tortilla.

    • Fold the tortilla in half and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side until crispy and golden.

    • Repeat for all the tortillas.

  3. Serve:

    • Top the tacos with chopped cilantro and onion.

    • Serve the tacos with lime wedges and a side of birria broth for dipping.

Notes

  • Birria broth is packed with flavor, so don’t skip the dipping step. It’s what gives the tacos that signature juiciness!

  • If you prefer chicken, you can use chicken thighs instead of beef for a lighter version of quesabirria tacos.

  • These tacos are perfect with a side of salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for added richness.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes |
  • Cook Time: 3 hours

Nutrition

  • Calories: 300 kcal
  • Fat: 20g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 18g