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An extreme close-up of a crispy Crock Pot Birria Taco, filled with shredded beef and melted Oaxaca cheese.
FL Recipes

Crock Pot Birria Tacos (Easy & Authentic)

This Crock Pot Birria Tacos recipe delivers incredibly tender, flavorful beef in a rich adobo consommé. The perfect easy, authentic recipe for making crispy, cheesy quesabirria tacos at home in your slow cooker.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

  • 4 lbs beef chuck roast cut into 3-4 inch chunks
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 5 guajillo chiles stems and seeds removed
  • 3 ancho chiles stems and seeds removed
  • 2 roma tomatoes halved
  • 1 white onion quartered
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 1 tsp cumin whole or ground
  • 1 tsp Mexican oregano
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 4 cups beef broth divided
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 24 corn tortillas
  • 16 oz Oaxaca cheese shredded
  • 1 cup white onion finely chopped, for serving
  • 1/2 cup cilantro chopped, for serving
  • Lime wedges for serving

Equipment

  • 1 Slow Cooker (6-quart or larger)
  • 1 Blender
  • 1 Large Skillet

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Chiles: Remove stems and seeds from Guajillo and Ancho chiles. Toast in a dry skillet for 30-60 seconds per side until fragrant. Place in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Let soak for 20-30 minutes until soft.
  2. Sear the Beef: Cut chuck roast into large chunks and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat and sear beef on all sides until browned. Transfer seared beef to the slow cooker.
  3. Create the Adobo Sauce: In the same pot, soften the onion, tomatoes, and garlic. Transfer to a blender. Drain the soaked chiles and add them to the blender along with cumin, oregano, cloves, apple cider vinegar, and 1 cup of beef broth. Blend until completely smooth. Strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve into the slow cooker over the beef.
  4. Slow Cook: Pour the remaining 3 cups of beef broth into the slow cooker. Add the bay leaves and cinnamon stick. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours.
  5. Shred and Prepare: Remove the beef and shred it. Skim the red fat from the surface of the consommé and reserve it. Season the consommé with salt to taste.
  6. Assemble and Fry Tacos: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Dip a tortilla into the reserved fat, place in the skillet, and top with cheese and shredded beef. Fold and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until crispy and golden. Serve immediately with a side of hot consommé, topped with chopped onion, cilantro, and a lime wedge.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcalProtein: 35gFat: 28gFiber: 4g

Notes

Tip 1: For the best flavor, do not skip searing the beef before adding it to the slow cooker.
Tip 2: Use Oaxaca cheese if you can find it; its melting quality is superior for quesabirria tacos.
Tip 3: Store leftover beef and consommé separately in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Keyword crock pot birria,quesabirria,slow cooker tacos

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