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Birria Taco Recipe Slow Cooker

Birria Taco Recipe Slow Cooker - Easy Family Meal

Before diving into the details of making birria tacos, let's talk about what you can serve alongside them. While the tacos themselves are rich and flavorful, pairing them with the right sides can elevate your meal. Here are three popular options:
The fluffy rice, often cooked with tomatoes and spices, complements the hearty flavors of birria. It’s like a warm hug on your plate.
Creamy and fulfilling, refried beans provide a delicious contrast to crunchy taco shells. They offer protein too, which is excellent for a complete meal.
Think of it as the summer version of street corn, served in a cup with lime, cheese, and chili powder. It’s refreshing and adds a pop of color.
Now that we've set the stage, let’s explore the wonders of birria tacos made in a slow cooker.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 360
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Beef:
  • 2-3 lbs boneless chuck roast
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil or any neutral oil of your choice, plus extra for frying the tacos
  • Coarse ground salt and freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 5-6 Chipotle chiles in adobo sauce from a can
  • 4 dried Guajillo chiles
  • 32 oz beef broth
  • 1 can fire-roasted diced tomatoes 14.5 oz
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 8 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup organic apple cider vinegar
  • 3 dried bay leaves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1/2 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar optional, to balance the heat
For the Tacos/Fixings:
  • Corn or flour tortillas
  • Lime wedges
  • Fresh cilantro leaves
  • Diced white onion
  • Shredded Oaxacan cheese or a mild cheese like mozzarella or Monterey Jack

Method
 

Step 1: Prepare the Beef
  1. Start by trimming excess fat from your chuck roast. Pat it dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, coriander, and smoked paprika.
Step 2: Sear the Meat
  1. In a hot skillet, add a tablespoon of oil. Sear the beef on all sides until browned. This step is crucial as it creates delicious caramelization, adding depth of flavor.
Step 3: Prepare the Sauce
  1. In a blender, combine chipotle chiles (including the adobo sauce), Guajillo chiles, garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, ginger, and a pinch of salt. Blend until smooth.
Step 4: Assemble in the Slow Cooker
  1. Place the seared beef on the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour the blended sauce over the meat. Then add the beef broth, sliced onion, bay leaves, and cinnamon stick.
Step 5: Cook
  1. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours, ensuring the meat is tender and shreds easily with a fork.
Step 6: Shred the Meat
  1. Once done, remove the beef and shred it with two forks. Return it to the slow cooker and stir it back into the juices.
Step 7: Prepare the Tacos
  1. In a hot skillet, lightly fry the tortillas to make them pliable. Fill each tortilla with shredded beef, adding toppings like onion, cilantro, and fresh cheese.
Step 8: Serve with Consommé
  1. Don’t forget to serve your tacos with the rich, flavorful broth from the slow cooker as a dipping sauce!

Notes

  • Soak Chiles: If you want a milder flavor, soak the dried chiles in hot water for about 15 minutes before blending. This step softens them, improving the blending process.
  • Adjust Spice Levels: Feel free to add more or fewer chipotle chiles based on your heat preference. Taste as you go!
  • Allow for Time: Don’t rush the cooking process. For the best flavor, low and slow truly makes a difference.
  • Prep Ahead: You can prep the meat and sauce the night before. Just store it in the refrigerator, and toss it into the slow cooker in the morning.
  • Choose Your Tortillas Wisely: Fresh tortillas hold up better than packaged ones. If you can, visit a local tortilleria for the best results.