Beef birria is a traditional Mexican dish, originating mainly from the state of Jalisco, although it has spread to other regions of Mexico. 

It is known for its robust and spicy flavour, and is usually prepared with beef, although lamb or goat meat can also be used. 

This dish has gained international popularity and is appreciated for its complexity of flavours and its connection to Mexican culinary traditions. 

Beef birria has been adapted and reinterpreted in a variety of ways, including birria tacos, birria consommé (birria broth) and more.

Ingredients to prepare Birria de Res

Here is a basic recipe for birria de res and its ingredients. Remember that the proportions may vary according to your preferences and the number of people you are serving:

Ingredients

For the meat

• 1.5 kg of beef (you can use cuts like chamorro, aguja or maciza)
• 3 dried guajillo chillies
• 3 dried ancho chilies
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

To serve

• Corn tortillas
• Fresh coriander, finely chopped
• Onion, finely chopped
• Lemons in wedges

How to make Birria de Res?

Instructions

1. Wash and disinfect the beef. Cut into medium pieces.
2. Clean the guajillo and ancho chillies, remove seeds and cut into strips. Roast the chillies in a hot frying pan until flavoured, but do not let them burn.
3. Soak the chillies in hot water for about 15-20 minutes, until soft. 

Then place them in a blender with the garlic, cumin, oregano, thyme, thyme, black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaf, salt and vinegar. Blend until you get a homogeneous sauce.

4. Pour the sauce over the meat in a large bowl, making sure to coat each piece well. 

Then marinate the meat in the mixture for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight in the refrigerator.

5. Transfer the meat and marinade to a large pot. Add enough water to cover the meat and cook over medium-low heat for approximately 2-3 hours, or until the meat is tender and falls apart easily.
6. Rectify seasoning and adjust with salt to taste. Serve the beef birria hot in bowls.
7. Accompany the birria with warm tortillas, chopped cilantro, onion and lime wedges.

How to make Birria de Res tacos?

1. Follow steps 1 to 3 in the beef birria recipe above to prepare the marinade and marinate the meat.
2. Transfer the meat and marinade to a large pot. Add enough water to cover the meat and cook over medium-low heat for approximately 2-3 hours, or until the meat is tender and falls apart easily.
3. While the meat is cooking, you can prepare the additional sauce (consommé) that usually accompanies birria tacos. Remove some of the broth from the pot and serve hot in individual bowls.
4. When the meat is ready, shred it with a fork to obtain smaller, juicier pieces.
5. Heat the corn tortillas in a comal or frying pan until lightly browned and pliable.
6. Fill each tortilla with the shredded meat. You can add onion and cilantro to taste.
7. Serve the birria tacos with wedged lemons and, if desired, serve with the hot consommé sauce for dipping the tacos.

That’s it! Now you can enjoy some delicious Birria de Res tacos, but if you want to prepare tacos in the purest Mexican style, we recommend you prepare them with your own homemade tortillas.

If you don’t have time or want to enjoy a different kind of dinner, remember! 

At Taqueria de Birra we are experts in tacos and Mexican food since 1989. Come and taste some quality tacos or order them for pick up or delivery at our premises in C/ Don Pedro, 11 or Plaza de las Comendadoras, 2.