Jul 09 2026
RestaurantsMaloBirria Tacos Recipe

Birria Tacos Recipe

Inspired by Malo
Time3h
Serves4

three broth-dipped corn tortillas grilled with monterey and cheddar cheeses and filled with beef barbacoa; with Mexican rice and refried beans. Served with a side of barbacoa broth for dipping.

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Ingredients

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Taco Filling

Method

Prepare the Barbacoa

  1. 1

    Soak the Chiles

    In a medium bowl, soak the guajillo and ancho chiles in hot water for about 15 minutes until softened. Drain and remove the stems and seeds.

  2. 2

    Blend the Marinade

    In a blender, combine the soaked chiles, garlic, onion, cumin, black pepper, and 1 cup of beef broth. Blend until smooth.

  3. 3

    Cook the Beef

    In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat a little oil over medium-high heat. Season the beef with salt and sear on all sides until browned. Remove the beef and set aside.

  4. 4

    Simmer the Beef

    Add the blended marinade to the pot along with the remaining beef broth and bay leaves. Stir to combine, then return the seared beef to the pot. Cover and simmer on low heat for about 2.5 to 3 hours until the beef is tender.

  5. 5

    Shred the Beef

    Once cooked, remove the beef from the pot and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded beef to the pot and stir to combine with the sauce.

Assemble the Tacos

  1. 6

    Prepare the Broth

    Ladle some of the barbacoa broth into a bowl for dipping.

  2. 7

    Heat the Tortillas

    In a skillet, dip each corn tortilla briefly in the hot barbacoa broth to soften, then place on a flat surface.

  3. 8

    Add Cheese and Filling

    Sprinkle a layer of Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese on one half of each tortilla, followed by a generous portion of the shredded beef.

  4. 9

    Fold and Grill

    Fold the tortillas over to create a taco shape. Grill on the skillet until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.

  5. 10

    Serve

    Serve the tacos hot with a side of Mexican rice and refried beans, alongside the bowl of barbacoa broth for dipping.

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