Slow Cooker Beef Birria for Tacos

Name: Slow Cooker Beef Birria for Tacos
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 3 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 3-inch chunks; 6 dried guajillo chiles, stems and seeds removed; 2 dried ancho chiles, stems and seeds removed; 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce; 2 cups beef broth; 14 oz canned diced tomatoes; 1 white onion, roughly chopped; 6 garlic cloves, peeled; 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 2 tsp ground cumin; 2 tsp dried Mexican oregano (or regular oregano); 2 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 2 bay leaves; 12 corn tortillas; 2 cups shredded Oaxacan or mozzarella cheese; 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Chile-braised beef that slow cooks until meltingly tender, with a rich consomme perfect for dipping crispy quesatacos. Plan ahead: allow 8-10 hours of slow cooker time.

60 minMediumServes 6480 cal/serving

MexicanDinnerSlow CookerStandardHigh ProteinHigh FiberLow-Sodium

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Ingredients

3 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 3-inch chunks
6 dried guajillo chiles, stems and seeds removed
2 dried ancho chiles, stems and seeds removed
2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
2 cups beef broth
14 oz canned diced tomatoes
1 white onion, roughly chopped
6 garlic cloves, peeled
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp dried Mexican oregano (or regular oregano)
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
2 bay leaves
12 corn tortillas
2 cups shredded Oaxacan or mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions

1

Toast 6 stems and seeds removed dried guajillo chiles and 2 stems and seeds removed dried ancho chiles in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side until fragrant. Place in a bowl, cover with boiling water, and soak for 15 minutes until softened.
2

Drain the chiles and transfer to a blender. Add 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 1 roughly chopped white onion, 6 peeled garlic cloves, 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2 tsp ground cumin, 2 tsp dried Mexican oregano (or regular oregano), 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Blend until very smooth.
3

Season 3 lbs cut into 3-inch chunks beef chuck roast lightly with additional salt and pepper. Place in the slow cooker along with 2 bay leaves. Pour the chile sauce and 2 cups beef broth over the beef.
4

Cook on low for 8-10 hours until the beef is very tender and shreds easily. The beef should reach an internal temperature of at least 190-200°F (88-93°C) for braised tenderness.
5

Transfer beef to a cutting board and shred using two forks. Remove bay leaves. Skim fat from the surface of the cooking liquid (consomme); reserve the fat for frying.
6

To make quesatacos, heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Brush with the reserved fat or 2 tbsp vegetable oil. Dip each corn tortillas into the consomme, place on the skillet, add 2 cups shredded Oaxacan or mozzarella cheese and shredded beef, fold, and cook 2 minutes per side until crispy.
7

Serve tacos with small cups of consomme on the side for dipping.

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Questions

What is Slow Cooker Beef Birria for Tacos?

Chile-braised beef that slow cooks until meltingly tender, with a rich consomme perfect for dipping crispy quesatacos. Plan ahead: allow 8-10 hours of slow cooker time. This reference files it under Mexican dinner: made in a slow cooker, rated medium and about 60 minutes start to finish.

What internal temperature should Slow Cooker Beef Birria for Tacos reach?

For Slow Cooker Beef Birria for Tacos, the target internal temperature is 200 F (about 95 C), given in step 4. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

What can I use instead of chipotle in adobo in Slow Cooker Beef Birria for Tacos?

The entry for Slow Cooker Beef Birria for Tacos calls for 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. In its place: Use smoked paprika with a pinch of cayenne and a teaspoon of tomato paste per pepper.

How hot is Slow Cooker Beef Birria for Tacos?

Moderately. The heat in Slow Cooker Beef Birria for Tacos comes from 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. For a milder plate, start with half the chipotles and add more to taste at the end; nothing else in the method changes. For more, add it at the table rather than in the pot, so everyone sets their own level.

Can I make Slow Cooker Beef Birria for Tacos dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in Slow Cooker Beef Birria for Tacos is 2 cups shredded Oaxacan or mozzarella cheese. Swap the cheese for a plant-based melting cheese (expect a milder flavor). The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Serve it with

Mexican Cilantro Lime Rice side
Southwest Black Bean and Corn Quinoa Salad salad
Pumpkin Seed Pepita Salsa sauce
Horchata drink

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