Birria Tacos

Birria tacos are a delicious and flavorful Mexican dish that consists of tender, slow-cooked beef or goat, typically served in a warm corn tortilla with a rich, spicy broth for dipping. Here's a recipe for making birria tacos at home:

Ingredients:

For the Birria:

• 2 pounds of beef (such as chuck roast or beef shank) or goat, cut into small chunks
• 3 dried guajillo chilies
• 3 dried ancho chilies
• 1 medium onion, roughly chopped
• 4-5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

For the Consomé (Broth):

• 4 cups beef or chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Salt to taste

For Assembling:

• Corn tortillas
• Finely chopped onion and cilantro
• Lime wedges
• Salsa of your choice

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chilies:

   • Remove the stems and seeds from the dried guajillo and ancho chilies.
   • Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and toast the chilies for a few seconds on each side until fragrant but not burnt.
   • Place the toasted chilies in a bowl, cover with hot water, and let them soak for about 15-20 minutes or until they become soft.

2. Make the Chili Paste:

   • Drain the soaked chilies and transfer them to a blender.
   • Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, ground cumin, dried oregano, ground cloves, ground cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
   • Blend until you have a smooth, thick paste. You can add a little water if needed.

3. Cook the Birria:

   • In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
   • Add the meat chunks and sear them until they're browned on all sides.
   • Stir in the chili paste and cook for a few minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
   • Pour in the beef or chicken broth and add the dried thyme, marjoram, black pepper, and salt. Stir to combine.
   • Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the birria simmer for 2-3 hours or until the meat is tender and falls apart easily. You can also transfer the pot to a 300°F (150°C) oven and cook it there.

4. Assemble the Tacos:

   • Warm the corn tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave.
   • To make each taco, place a spoonful of the birria meat in the center of a tortilla.
   • Top with finely chopped onion and cilantro.
   • Serve with lime wedges and your favorite salsa on the side.

5. Serve with Consomé:

   • Serve each birria taco with a small bowl of the flavorful consomé (broth) for dipping.

Enjoy your homemade birria tacos! These delicious, spicy, and richly flavored tacos are sure to be a hit with your family and friends.