Are you a taco enthusiast who loves to savor the rich flavors of Mexican cuisine? If so, then you’re in for a treat! Today, I’ll show you one of my favorite meals (of all time) – Slow Cooker Birria Tacos. This delicious dish combines tender beef birria with the convenience of a slow cooker, making it the perfect choice for a scrumptious and hassle-free meal. In this article, we’ll walk you through a simple recipe for Slow Cooker Birria Tacos that will surely become a favorite in your household. So, grab your apron, turn on that slow cooker, and let’s get cooking!
The Allure of Birria Tacos
Birria tacos have gained immense popularity in recent years, and it’s not hard to see why. Originating in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, birria tacos boast a harmonious blend of flavors that tantalize your taste buds. Traditionally, this dish consists of succulent, slow-cooked meat, usually beef or goat, infused with a medley of aromatic spices and chilies. The result? A mouthwatering and tender meat that pairs perfectly with the warm wrap of corn tortillas. This is one of my go-to meals I love to make to “wow” my guests!
Embracing the Slow Cooker: Convenience Meets Flavor
Cooking birria tacos using the slow cooker method offers a convenient way to enjoy this delectable dish without spending hours in the kitchen. My favorite thing about this recipe is that slow cooker does all the hard work for you, tenderizing the meat and allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully while I go about my day. Once I discovered this slow cooker birria taco recipe, it instantly became my favorite taco recipe to date.
A Taste of Tradition: Our Slow Cooker Birria Taco Recipe
Let’s dive into the heart of the matter—the Slow Cooker Birria Taco recipe that will leave you and your loved ones craving for more. Gather the ingredients below and let’s start cooking!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2-3 pounds of beef chuck roast
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 4-5 garlic cloves, minced
- 3-4 dried guajillo chilies
- 2-3 dried ancho chilies
- 1 new Mexican chili
- 1 dried chile de arbol
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
- 2 tsp oregano
- 1 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp coriander
- 2 tsp tomato paste
- 2 cups beef or chicken broth
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Vegetable oil (for cooking)
- Corn tortillas
- Toppings: fresh cilantro, diced onion, melting cheese, lime wedges
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare & Toast the Chilies
Begin by removing the stems and seeds from the dried chilies. In a hot, dry skillet, toast the chilies for about 30 seconds on each side or until auromatic. After toasting, place the chilies in the slow cooker.
- Saute & Season
Heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil to a skillet and saute sliced onions and garlic for 4 minutes. Add in 2 bay leaves, cinnamon, oregano, cumin seeds, coriander, and tomato paste and saute for another 2 minutes. Add the mixture to the slow cooker on top of the chilis.
- Add the Base
Pour 2 cups of chicken or beef stock, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and mix with the onion and chili mixture.
- Brown Meat
Season the meat with salt and pepper on each side. Heat another tbsp of vegetable oil to the same skillet. Brown each side of the meat for 5 minutes and layer into the slow cooker.
- Slow Cooker Magic
Cook in the slow cooker on high for 7-8 hours.
- Shred Beef & Prepare Birria Sauce
Remove and shred the beef. Meanwhile, discard the bay leaves. Blend the reminding birria sauce with an immersion hand blender or standing blender. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour some sauce to the beef, and set aside the rest.
- Assemble Your Tacos
Now comes the fun part—building your Slow Cooker Birria Tacos! Warm the corn tortillas on a clean, hot skillet for about 30 seconds on each side until they’re soft and pliable. Fill each tortilla with a generous amount of the shredded beef birria. Garnish your tacos with diced onion, fresh cilantro, cheese, and a squeeze of lime juice for an extra burst of flavor. In a small bowl, pour birria sauce to dip the tacos. Serve the tacos while they’re still warm, and get ready to indulge in the irresistible taste of authentic Mexican cuisine.
Slow Cooker Birria Tacos
Ingredients
- 2-3 pounds beef chuck roast
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 4-5 cloves garlic minced
- 3 dried guajillo chiles
- 3 dried ancho chiles
- 1 new Mexican chili
- 1 chile de arbol
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
- 2 tsp oregano
- 1 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp coriander
- 2 tsp tomato paste
- 2 cups beef or chicken broth
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- salt & pepper to taste
- vegetable oil for cooking
- corn tortillas
Toppings
- fresh cilantro
- diced onion
- melting cheese
- lime wedges
Instructions
- Prepare & Toast the ChiliesBegin by removing the stems and seeds from the dried chilies. In a hot, dry skillet, toast the chilies for about 30 seconds on each side or until auromatic. After toasting, place the chilies in the slow cooker.
- Saute & SeasonHeat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil to a skillet and saute sliced onions and garlic for 4 minutes. Add in 2 bay leaves, cinnamon, oregano, cumin seeds, coriander, and tomato paste and saute for another 2 minutes. Add the mixture to the slow cooker on top of the chilies.
- Add the BasePour 2 cups of chicken or beef stock, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and mix with the onion and chili mixture.
- Brown MeatSeason the meat with salt and pepper on each side. Heat another tbsp of vegetable oil to the same skillet. Brown each side of the meat for 5 minutes and layer into the slow cooker.
- Cook in the slow cooker on high for 7-8 hours.
- Shred Beef & Prepare Birria SauceRemove and shred the beef. Meanwhile, discard the bay leaves. Blend the reminding birria sauce with an immersion hand blender or standing blender. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour some sauce to the beef, and set aside the rest.
- Assemble Your TacosWarm the corn tortillas on a clean, hot skillet for about 30 seconds on each side until they're soft and pliable. Fill each tortilla with a generous amount of the shredded beef birria.
- Garnish your tacos with diced onion, fresh cilantro, cheese, and a squeeze of lime juice for an extra burst of flavor. In a small bowl, pour birria sauce to dip the tacos.
Tips and Variations for Slow Cooker Birria Tacos
- If you prefer a spicier kick, you can add a dried arbol chili or two to the chili sauce mixture. Be sure to remove the stems and seeds before cooking.
- For a truly authentic experience, consider using traditional corn tortillas made from scratch. They have a unique taste and texture that perfectly complements the birria meat.
- Birria tacos are often served with a side of consommé, a flavorful broth made from the cooking juices. Don’t let those delicious juices go to waste! Serve the consommé in small cups alongside your tacos for a satisfying and comforting meal.
Exploring Birria Taco Variations
The beauty of birria tacos lies in their versatility. While the slow cooker birria taco recipe we’ve covered here is a classic and incredibly delicious version, you can always put your own twist on this culinary masterpiece.
Tacos de Birria (Birria Tacos) – A Regional Delight
In Mexico, you’ll find various regional variations of birria tacos, each with its unique touch. For example, in the state of Tijuana, Tacos de Birria are often served with a side of consommé and a sprinkling of cheese. The tacos are also fried until they’re crispy, giving them a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the tender meat.
Birria de Res (Beef Birria) vs. Birria de Chivo (Goat Birria)
While our slow cooker birria taco recipe uses beef chuck roast, birria can be made with goat meat as well. Birria de Chivo offers a distinctively rich and gamey flavor that pairs wonderfully with the chili sauce. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to explore a different protein, goat birria is a fantastic choice!
Slow Cooker Birria Tacos bring the traditional flavors of Mexico right to your dinner table. With a few simple ingredients and the convenience of a slow cooker, you can enjoy a scrumptious and satisfying meal that everyone will love!
To view more recipes, visit https://freshcupofjoy.com/category/food-health/recipes/.