Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (2024)

Published April 28, 2021.This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Stop everything and immediately make these classic homemade birria tacos that are loaded with delicious zesty chile flavors.

Seriously, who doesn’t love tacos? They are an absolute staple in our home, and we love doing them up in the most classic traditional way possible. If you love making the real deal as well, then definitely check out my Baja Fish Tacos or my Chicken Tinga.

Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (1)

Birria Tacos

Birria tacos come from birria consomé, which is a zesty shredded meat stew that originated in Jalisco, Mexico. The meat from the stew is then cooked inside of corn tortillas that have been dipped in the stew liquid in a hot pan along with shredded Oaxaca cheese and often garnished with diced yellow or white onions and chopped cilantro.

These flavorful tacos will have slight nuances in flavor depending on which Mexican restaurant or street cart you get them from, but rest assured they are all delicious. This traditional breakfast or lunch tacos are classically made with goat meat, but most often nowadays will be made with beef or lamb meat. I used a combination of beef and lamb in my birra taco recipe.

Is It the Same as Barbacoa?

There is some confusion around this, so let’s set the record straight. Barbacoa is a cooking method, and birria is the final product from that cooking method. Classically, barbacoa is the process where meat is marinated, or not, and cooked wrapped in banana leaves in a dug hole that has a fire in it. The meat would cook for several hours or until very tender.

Birria is made by placing that meat cooked using that specific method that is then served in a flavorful broth, which is where you get birria consomé from.

Obviously, this can be a challenging cooking method, so nowadays birria is most often cooked in a pot on the stove. However, if you do get a chance to make it the barbacoa way then I highly recommend it.

How to Make Tacos de Birria

Follow along with these easy-to-follow step by step procedures to make these amazing birria tacos:

Brown the seasoned meat in a large pot and set aside.

Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (2)

Next, caramelize onions in the pot for about 20 minutes and then stew with the garlic, tomatoes, chiles, and spices until the chiles are soft and tender.

Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (3)

Blend the chile mixture until very smooth and then place back in the pot along with water or beef stock, salt and pepper, and the meat and cook for 2 hours over medium heat or until very tender.

Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (4)

Remove the beef and roughly chop or shred using forks.

Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (5)

Strain the remaining liquid and return it to the pot.

Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (6)

Lightly dip a corn tortilla in the liquid and then place it in a hot cast-iron skillet.

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Immediately add on cheese and chopped meat, and optional onions and cilantro.

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Fold the taco cover in the pan and sear until it is shut.

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Serve the tacos with a bowl of meatless consomé liquid that has been seasoned with freshly squeezed lemon juice, onions, and cilantro.

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Make-Ahead and Storage

Make-Ahead: The tacos are meant to be eaten right away but you can make them up to 30 minutes ahead of time and keep them warm covered in foil at the lowest temperature in the oven.

How to Store: It is best to store the beef separate from the corn tortilla shells. Store the beef covered for up to 6 days in its liquid, or consomé. This will freeze very well covered for up to 6 months in its liquid, or consomé. Thaw in the refrigerator for 1 day before reheating.

How to Reheat: Place the desired amount of beef in its liquid, or consomé, in a medium-size pot and heat over low heat until hot. You can also heat in the microwave until hot.

Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (11)

chef notes + tips

  • If you cannot get Oaxaca cheese, then you may substitute it with shredded panela or chihuahua cheese.
  • There should be enough fat on the top of the consomé when you dip the tortilla in there to brown it while cooking in the pan. If there is not, add a little oil or butter to the pan first.
  • You may need to use two corn tortilla shells so that they don’t rip from the liquid.
Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (12)

More Beef Recipes

  • Birria Consomé
  • Beef and Barley
  • Steak au Poivre
  • Chicken Fried Steak
  • Corned Beef

Be sure to follow me onFacebook,YouTube,Instagram,andPinterest,and if you’ve had a chance to make this then definitely drop me a comment and a rating below!

Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (13)

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Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos)

Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (14)

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5 from 12 votes

Stop everything and immediately make these classic homemade birria tacos that are loaded with delicious zesty chile flavors.

Servings: 10 tacos

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • ¼ recipe of birria consomé
  • 20 corn tortillas
  • 2 cups shredded Oaxaca cheese
  • 1 peeled and small diced yellow onions
  • ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • juice of 2 lemons

Instructions

  • Prepare the birria consomé but do not add the chopped meat back to the strained liquid in the pot.

  • Making 1 taco at a time, lightly dip two corn tortillas into the top part of the consomé liquid and place on top of each other in a cast-iron skillet over medium to medium-high heat.

  • Immediately evenly sprinkle some of the cheese onto the top of the corn tortilla, followed up with evenly adding some of the chopped meat to the one-half side of the taco on top of the cheese.

  • At this point you can also add on diced onions and cilantro, but that part is optional.

  • Cook for a minute or two and then fold the taco over to help form it. Cook for about one more minute.

  • Repeat the process until all of the meat has been used.

  • Serve each taco with a small bowl of the consomé liquid that has been garnished with lemon juice, diced onions, and cilantro.

Notes

Chef Notes:

Make-Ahead: The tacos are meant to be eaten right away but you can make them up to 30 minutes ahead of time and keep them warm covered in foil at the lowest temperature in the oven.

How to Store: It is best to store the beef separate from the corn tortilla shells. Store the beef covered for up to 6 days in its liquid, or consomé. This will freeze very well covered for up to 6 months in its liquid, or consomé. Thaw in the refrigerator for 1 day before reheating.

How to Reheat: Place the desired amount of beef in its liquid, or consomé, in a medium-size pot and heat over low heat until hot. You can also heat in the microwave until hot.

If you cannot get Oaxaca cheese, then you may substitute it with shredded panela or chihuahua cheese.

There should be enough fat on the top of the consomé when you dip the tortilla in there to brown it while cooking in the pan. If there is not, add a little oil or butter to the pan first.

You may need to use two corn tortilla shells so that they don’t rip from the liquid.

Nutrition

Calories: 296kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 14gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 466mgPotassium: 153mgFiber: 4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 160IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 73mgIron: 1mg

Course: Main

Cuisine: Mexican

Author: Chef Billy Parisi

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27 comments

    • Eva
    • Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (15)

    Chef, all your recipes are amazing. Thank you for another wonderful meal!!

    • Reply
    • Stephen M Roeschlein

    The only thing I did not find was the cheese. Not easy to find but I will look harder next time. It needed a bit more heat but it is very tasty. You have a conflict in your recipe the on for the consume says to add the meat back to the strained liquid and your taco recipe says keep them separate. OOPS…. It will work just fine and I can always add heat with jalapenos or hot sauce and you can have whatever heat you like. I am going to be making a few more of your recipes while on vacation because I have a captive audience and they will eat whatever I make for them or at least try and I will always have them covered so nobody goes hungry. Feed my extended family of 14 in a tourist trap town. Your sauces will be a hit I know. Too bad my garden has not produced yet but when I get back it will be even better. So far dinners are Burger/Dogs Night, Italian Feast Night, Taco Night, Steak Night and Appetizer Night is the last night to get rid of all the leftovers.

    • Reply
    • Kenya Yopp
    • Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (16)

    These bad boys!!!!!!! You’ll want to marry Billy! That’s how amazing these are! Be prepared to mess your shirt or wear a bib!! Major juiciness. Major satisfaction!

    • Reply
    • Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (17)

        so good!!

        • Reply
      • Joyce
      • Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (18)

      This is the only way I will make birria tacos now they were simply amazing. I invited my son, grandsons and all my nephews over for a taco feast and absolutely nothing was left they all loved them and I couldn’t keep up with them eating them. Chef Billy Parisi did an absolute amazing job on this recipe. It was worth the work

      • Reply
      • Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (19)

          many thanks!

          • Reply
        • Victoria
        • Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (20)

        I didn’t get to add bay leaf and oregano but it was still a hit!!!

        • Reply
        • Tammy Anderson
        • Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (22)

        My daughter made these for my birthday dinner! They were dang delicious! Video and recipes were easy to follow step by step! Some of the best tacos I have ever had! She made a lot and we shared some with friends who loved them too! Thank you Chef Billy!

        • Reply
        • Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (23)

            Excellent! My pleasure!

            • Reply
          • Carolina Burgos
          • Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (24)

          Chef Billy…. do you mean ‘Queso Tacos’ = Cheese tacos .. never ‘quesa’! please!!!
          Tacos de queso y birria, sería lo mejor.

          • Reply
          • Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (25)

              no. these are specifically known as quesa tacos

              • Reply
                • Angelita R Torres

                I’m FAR from being a classically trained chef but have the honor & pleasure to have been taught in not just my mother’s kitchen but many close friends along the way. You are qbsolutely CORRECT -It is called “Quesabirria” and is known throughout multiple regions of Mexico. While the meat being used changes (as well as the variation of peppers) the name remains the same 😉
                LOVE the work and passion you exhibit in truly getting to know the culture you are representing. Food is definitely an expression (and extention) of each culture’s “love language” and a testament to it’s history.

                • Reply
                  • Chef Billy Parisi

                  Im glad you tried this, thank you!

                  • Reply
            • Shameiha Tolbert
            • Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (26)

            Everytime I make them . My family goes crazy .

            • Reply
            • Juan J Sainz
            • Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (27)

            Second to non birria recipe

            • Reply
            • Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (28)

                Thank you for that!

                • Reply
              • Maria Lopez
              • Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (29)

              This recipe was easy to follow. Each step is clearly explained and it’s Delicious and my family’s favorite.

              • Reply
              • Karine
              • Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (30)

              Awesome recipe with true Mexican flavor. Great for burritos/chimichangas too!

              • Reply
              • Wendi L

              Going to make these ASAP! Billy, you didn’t list “meat” in the taco ingredients. Might be confusing for anyone that didn’t watch the video. Thank you for another beautiful recipe!

              • Reply
              • Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (31)

                  Click on birria Recipe and that’s where the meat comes from.

                  • Reply
                • Joachim Ankerstjerne

                Hi Billy.

                Just made these. They are wonderful.

                Can you tell me how many Tacos the 296 kcal stands for?

                Best regards Joachim

                • Reply
                • Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (32)

                    1

                    • Reply
                  • Kholt Green-Moore
                  • Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (33)

                  I ate this and only this for 3 whole days! One of the best dishes I’ve ever had!

                  • Reply
                  • Chad Johnson
                  • Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (34)

                  These were the best tacos I’ve ever had!

                  • Reply
                  • Alicia Clarke

                  Chef Parisi! This looks and sounds amazing, my only question is what cut of beef would be best for this? I’m assuming maybe brisket or flank? Could anything else be used?
                  Love you and your recipes!
                  Alicia

                  • Reply
                  • Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (35)

                      https://www.billyparisi.com/homemade-beef-birria-consome-recipe/

                      • Reply
                  Homemade Birria Tacos Recipe (Quesa Tacos) (2024)

                  FAQs

                  What are Quesabirria tacos made of? ›

                  Quesabirria is "a cross between a taco and a quesadilla." It comprises a corn tortilla with either mozzarella or Chihuahua cheese melted with stewed meat. The meat is often beef – commonly brisket – in contrast to birria, which is traditionally made with goat.

                  What is the difference between quesa tacos and birria tacos? ›

                  Quesabirria tacos are large tortillas filled with birria beef and cheese, then cooked on the stove until the cheese is melted. This is different to birria tacos, which use corn taco shells or soft tacos for the exterior.

                  What is birria tacos sauce made of? ›

                  The “birria” part is the style of the sauce with its particular ingredients of chiles guajillos and pasillos, garlic, white onion, purple onion, cloves, ginger, and vinegar and the way of cooking the meat in it. The most common meats used for birria are beef, lamb, and goat.

                  How do you make birria tacos not soggy? ›

                  To get crispy corn tortillas for birria tacos, you can follow these tips: Double Tortillas:Use two tortillas per taco. This helps to strengthen the structure and prevents the tortillas from becoming soggy. Heat them together on a griddle or skillet.

                  Is birria tacos unhealthy? ›

                  Birria tacos can be a healthy meal. The consommé has anti-inflammatory herbs and spices, and the meat provides protein and iron. Corn tortillas provide fiber. You may want to add extra vegetables in the form of salsas, onion, and cilantro for a fully balanced meal.

                  What cut of meat is birria made of? ›

                  Beef! Beef birria recipes really vary a lot in terms of what cut of beef they call for. We favor chuck roast, which is ideal for a low-and-slow braise like this. Plus, it's not usually too expensive.

                  What tortillas do you use for birria tacos? ›

                  In short, corn tortillas are the way to go for your birria tacos. If you really like flour tortillas you can use them too, but in that case you'll be eating a birria burrito and you experience will be different.

                  What makes birria tacos special? ›

                  Birria tacos are served with the consommé, or broth from the stew, on the side, topped with onions and cilantro. The tacos are dipped in the consommé, making for a multisensory gastronomic experience that people can't seem to get enough of.

                  What makes a birria taco unique? ›

                  Birria is a traditional Mexican dish that originated in the state of Jalisco. It's typically made with goat meat that has been slow-cooked with a blend of spices until it's tender and juicy. The meat is then shredded and served on a crispy tortilla with toppings like cilantro, onion, and lime.

                  What is birria broth made of? ›

                  Cooked slowly in a rich and spicy consomé—a deeply flavorful red broth made with dried Mexican chiles, herbs, spices, and aromatics—the meat becomes tender and is served shredded in the consomé. It's a stew that is built on layers upon layers of flavor with smart techniques and little effort.

                  What is the best meat for birria tacos? ›

                  A combination of two meats creates the best balance of tender texture from chuck roast and succulence from short ribs. The beef's slow-cooked flavor comes from the adobo sauce.

                  Why is my birria sauce bitter? ›

                  To prepare the adobo, the recipe calls for toasting and then boiling the chiles. The most crucial thing to remember when making the sauce is not to overboil the chilies, which turns them bitter. According to Zepeda, this is the most common mistake people make when preparing birria.

                  Why do my Quesabirria tacos fall apart? ›

                  If you use store bought tortillas you need to warm them up before folding them into a taco. Also, if you are serving your birria with a lot of broth, your tortilla might come apart, you might want to try using two, but I can almost bet you encountered the problem because the tortilla was not warm enough.

                  Why are my birria tacos not getting crispy? ›

                  You must use the fat on the very top of the pot of liquid to dip the tortillas in. Not even dip, but gently lay them on. If you do not have the fat on top of your liquid then this method will not work and the taco shells won't crisp up. If you dip it way down into the consommé you will just have a soggy birria taco.

                  Can you use flour tortillas for birria tacos? ›

                  Soft Corn Tortillas – A must for this recipe. Using flour tortillas would not have the same flavor or texture that soft corn tortillas do. But, if you must, use the flour tortillas, you will still get all of the delicious flavors from the meat and stew. Cheese – Shredded quesadilla cheese and Oaxaca cheese.

                  What animal are birria tacos from? ›

                  Originating from the Northern province of Jalisco where the Spanish introduction of goat and its meat became part of the diet. The strong flavor of goat led to the use of richer spices to balance the stronger flavor of goat.

                  What animal is Birria Tacos from? ›

                  Tips for eating Birria Tacos

                  Birria tacos are a popular Mexican dish that is made from meat (usually goat or lamb) that has been slowly cooked in its own fat. The flavor of the birria is intense and complex, and it can be enjoyed as part of a meal or as an appetizer.

                  What is birria made of cow? ›

                  Birria tacos are traditionally made using goat or lamb meat, but you can also find variations that use beef, such as beef chuck or beef shank. The key to birria is the slow-cooked, tender, and flavorful meat that is often marinated and braised in a rich and aromatic sauce made from a blend of dried chilies and spices.

                  Is Birria tacos made of pork? ›

                  Birria is a meaty stew made with beef, lamb or pork. For this recipe, we've chosen delicious and inexpensive pork shoulder, but feel free to use beef chuck roast or other cuts. The secret is to use a fatty meat that will render well and become the frying oil for the tacos.

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