Spicy Beef Birria Tacos Recipe with Instant Pot Option

Beef birria tacos are the perfect dish to make this weekend. They’re easy, delicious, and will be loved by everyone in your family. The best part is that you can customize them with whatever toppings you like! You could serve these tacos with some guacamole or salsa on top, or maybe even some sour cream.

Beef Birria Tacos

For those who love Mexican food, beef birria tacos are a staple. For people who are not familiar with this type of food, it is definitely worth tasting. The flavor is outstanding and will bring one back to the southern regions of Mexico.

If you have never had birria-style tacos before, they are definitely worth trying. Birria is a mixture of chiles, spices, herbs, and beef that are slow-cooked until everything melts. The result is a delicious taste brilliant in all aspects. For this type of taco to have the best flavor, nothing is more important than fresh ingredients combined with an authentic recipe.

Tacos can easily be used as a meal or they can be served at parties. No matter the event, these will add amazing flavor to any occasion and keep people coming back to eat more time and again.

What Makes Birria Tacos Different?

Birria is traditionally cooked in an earthen oven by roasting meat and spices over low heat for hours until the flavors meld together and the meat falls apart.

Although it originated as a way to cook tough cuts of beef, there’s no denying that this dish has become a delicacy. Birria tacos have been enjoyed for centuries, but they have only recently made their way across borders into America where they can be found on menus everywhere from San Diego to New York City.

For those who have never had beef birria, it's slow-cooked meat in an herbed broth. Once cooked, it's shredded and placed in a tortilla then pan-fried like you may see quesadillas cooked. Most dip the tacos into the sauce but you can also have alone with more common "American taco" toppings.

Birria tacos are seasoned with cumin, garlic, vegetables, and more, then topped with refreshing salsa verde or spicy red salsa. When you buy beef birria tacos, you're getting a flavorful taco with tender meat in every bite. With this recipe, you are going to be making Taco Tuesday even better with the best taco recipe ever!

What Toppings Go on These Tacos?

This type of taco is not what you may be used to eating. It doesn't involve a crunchy shell stacked with ground meat, lettuce, tomato, and cheese. The beef, sauce, and tortilla are typically all that you need. That said, we know that many will want to add something.

Beef birria tacos are most often garnished with cilantro and onion, along with a delicious side of guacamole. This is a more authentic Mexican option, but you can get creative to make them for your family. Below are some good ideas to consider.

• Chihauhua cheese, cotija cheese, jack cheese.
• Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• Guacamole or Jalapeno dip
• Pico de gallo, verde salsa, habernero salsa, or a blender salsa.
• Shredded lettuce.
• Chopped tomatoes.
• Sliced jalapenos.

Customize the toppings on these tacos to make them perfect for your taste buds. And, if you still want a little something extra, serve this with a simple Mexican corn salad on the side.

Do I Have to Marinade the Beef Overnight?

Typically, you definitely want to marinate the beef for 12 to 24 hours, essentially overnight. It is the best way to get the richest flavor. Marinating the beef gives the best flavor but it also helps to tenderize the meat.

Since birria is often made with a cheaper, tougher cut of meat, you want to help tenderize it any way possible. If you don't have time to marinate the meat for that long, it can still be prepared with great flavor.

Just remember that cooking the meat slowly gives you more time for that flavor to infuse and the meat to tenderize properly.

Can I Make The Spicy Beef in my Instant Pot

There are many ways that you can make this spicy beef. I am including a traditional version in my instructions as well as an Instant Pot version. The Instant Pot is known for making tough cuts of meat tenderize faster which is ideal if you are short on time.

To get the Instant Pot directions, scroll down to the printable recipe card. I am including the step by steps there for you.

Do I Make These with Flour or Corn Tortillas?

This is a personal choice. Some people only like to use flour and some people only like to use corn. Traditionally, these tacos are served with corn but if you choose to use flour, you will not miss out. Flour works just as well. The most important part is the meat and sauce it is prepared in.

Ingredients

• Top round steak
• Lime juice
• Green chile
• Tomato
• Garlic cloves
• Paprika
• Olive oil
• Ground cumin
• White onion
• Ground cinnamon
• Bay leaf
• Cloves
• Cardamom pods
• Chicken broth
• Flour or corn tortillas (taco size)
• Chihuahua cheese

Handy Kitchen Tools

• Blender
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Covered dish for marinating
• Large saucepan
• Medium skillet
• Wooden spoon
• Tongs
• Meat shredder
• Spatula

How to Make Birria Tacos

In a blender, add the tomato, green chile, onion, garlic, cumin, paprika, and lime juice. Pulse until smooth.

Cut the beef into large chunks, and place into a shallow bowl then lightly season with salt and pepper on both sides.

Pour the tomato mixture over the beef, then use a spoon or tongs to move it around to make sure the beef is completely covered.

Cover and marinate in the refrigerator overnight.

In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until golden.

Next, add the broth to the saucepan.

Stir in the cinnamon, bay leaf, cloves, and cardamom pods.

Add the marinated beef along with ½ cup of the marinade (discard remaining marinade) to the saucepan and stir to make sure it is covered well.

Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 4 to 6 hours until the beef is tender and easy to shred with forks.

Remove the beef from the sauce and shred.

Brush some of the remaining sauce from the saucepan onto a tortilla.

Add the shredded beef to one-half of the tortilla.

Top with chopped onion.

If desired, add 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese to the other side of the tortilla and fold it over.

In a medium skillet, heat oil over medium. Add the taco to the pan and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side just until browned.

Serve with remaining sauce for dipping.

More Tasty Recipes

If you want to expand your meal plan with more taco or Mexican-inspired items, we have you covered. Below are a few more great recipes that include authentic to inspired Americanized versions to suit the tastebuds of everyone at your dinner table.

• Citrusty Carne Asada Mexican Street Tacos
• Spicy Beef Crunchy Tacos with Tangy Guacamole
• Fry Bread Tacos with Spicy Beef & Green Chile Queso
• Crispy Mahi Mahi Tacos with Red Cabbage Slaw
• Easy Walking Taco Casserole Recipe {30-Minute Meal}
• Authentic Tinga de Pollo Mexican Chicken