Crispy Birria Quesatacos with Rich Consomé
Tender braised shredded beef stuffed inside pan-fried corn tortillas with melted Oaxaca cheese, cilantro, onions, and savory dipping consomé.
In a nutshell: Authentic Mexican birria quesatacos feature fall-apart tender braised beef wrapped in red-chili-dipped corn tortillas, stuffed with molten Oaxaca cheese, and pan-fried until crackling crisp. Served with rich beef consomé for dipping.
Slow-braised Mexican beef infused with guajillo and ancho chiles, shredded and folded into golden crisp corn tortillas drenched in birria broth, melted gooey Oaxaca cheese, fresh cilantro, diced onions, and lime. Served alongside piping-hot consomé for dunking.
Key Equipment
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- Cast Iron Skillet or Griddle
- Dutch Oven or Pressure Cooker
- High-Speed Blender
- Tongs & Spatula
Chef's Pro-Tips
- Tortilla Dip Secret: Dipping tortillas in the rendered top layer of spiced chile broth before hitting the griddle creates that signature red color and crackling crispy shell.
- Cheese Selection: Authentic Oaxaca cheese melts with an incredible stretch. If unavailable, low-moisture whole milk mozzarella or Monterey Jack makes a fantastic substitute.
- Make Ahead: The braised beef and consomé taste even richer when prepared a day ahead, allowing spices to deepen overnight.
Ingredients
4
servings
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2 ½ lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 2-inch chunks
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4 dried guajillo chiles, stemmed and seeded
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2 dried ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded
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1 medium white onion, halved, plus extra finely diced for serving
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6 cloves fresh garlic, peeled
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1 can (14 oz) crushed fire-roasted tomatoes
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3 cups low-sodium beef bone broth
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2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
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1 tsp Mexican oregano, crushed
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1 tsp ground cumin
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½ tsp ground cinnamon (or 1 Mexican cinnamon stick)
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2 whole bay leaves
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12 small yellow corn tortillas
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2 ½ cups Oaxaca or Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
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½ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
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2 whole limes, cut into wedges for serving
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Toast Chiles & Prepare Aromatics
Heat a dry heavy skillet over medium heat. Toast stemmed and seeded guajillo and ancho chiles for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and pliable, pressing lightly with a spatula (be careful not to burn). Transfer chiles to a bowl of warm water and steep for 10 minutes until softened. In a blender, combine softened chiles, 1 cup of beef broth, halved onion, peeled garlic, fire-roasted tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, Mexican oregano, cumin, and cinnamon. Puree on high until silky smooth.
Sear Beef & Braise
Season beef chuck chunks generously with coarse kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. In a large Dutch oven or heavy pressure cooker, sear beef chunks in 1 tablespoon of avocado oil over high heat for 3-4 minutes per side until a deep caramelized crust develops. Pour the blended chili sauce over the beef, add remaining beef broth and bay leaves, and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and braise in oven at 325°F (165°C) for 2.5 to 3 hours (or Instant Pot high pressure for 45 minutes) until fork-tender and falling apart.
Shred Beef & Skim Consomé
Transfer tender beef chunks to a cutting board and shred finely using two forks. Strain the rich cooking broth (consomé) through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl; discard bay leaves. Skim the rich spiced red fat off the top layer into a shallow bowl for dipping tortillas. Ladle 1/2 cup of warm consomé back over the shredded beef to keep it exceptionally juicy.
Pan-Fry Crispy Quesatacos
Heat a large flat griddle or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Dip each corn tortilla directly into the reserved red chili fat broth, coating both sides, and lay flat on the hot griddle. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of shredded Oaxaca cheese across each tortilla, followed by a generous spoonful of shredded juicy birria beef. Fold tortilla in half like a taco. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, pressing lightly with a metal spatula, until cheese is molten and outer shell is golden and crackling crisp.
Garnish, Dip & Enjoy
Transfer hot crispy quesatacos to a serving platter. Garnish immediately with freshly chopped cilantro and finely diced raw white onions. Ladle piping hot consomé into individual dipping cups, topped with cilantro and onions. Serve with lime wedges, dipping tacos generously into the broth before each bite.
Chef Clara's Kitchen Picks
Kitchen EssentialsAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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View on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Yes! The braised beef and consomé store beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Assemble and pan-fry the tacos fresh right before serving for maximum crispiness.
Absolutely! For an Instant Pot, cook on High Pressure for 45 minutes with a 15-minute natural release. For a slow cooker, cook on Low for 8 hours or High for 4-5 hours until fork-tender.
Reheat assembled tacos on a dry hot skillet or in an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes to restore total crunchiness. Avoid microwaving assembled tacos.