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Cheap Birria Tacos Recipe: Authentic Flavor on a Budget

Cheap birria tacos with consomé and toppings

Savor rich, authentic birria flavor with this budget-friendly birria tacos recipe — juicy, tender meat packed into crispy tortillas, perfect for dipping!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs beef chuck roast
  • 2 dried guajillo chiles
  • 2 dried ancho chiles
  • 1 chipotle pepper in adobo
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 small onion, quartered
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tbsp vinegar
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Corn tortillas
  • Shredded mozzarella or Oaxaca cheese
  • Chopped onion and cilantro (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Remove seeds from guajillo and ancho chiles, then soak in hot water for 10 minutes until softened.
  2. Blend soaked chiles with chipotle, garlic, onion, cumin, oregano, cinnamon, vinegar, and 1 cup beef broth to make a smooth sauce.
  3. Season beef with salt and pepper, then sear in a pot until browned.
  4. Pour in the blended sauce and remaining beef broth, add bay leaves, and simmer on low for 2.5–3 hours until beef is tender and shreddable.
  5. Shred the beef and return to the pot to soak up flavor.
  6. Dip tortillas in the birria broth, then fill with shredded beef and cheese. Cook on a skillet until crisp and golden.
  7. Serve hot with a side of broth for dipping, garnished with chopped onion and cilantro.

Notes

You can swap beef chuck with short ribs or stew meat depending on what’s on sale. Leftovers make excellent quesadillas or nachos!

Nutrition

Keywords: birria tacos, budget recipe, beef tacos, Mexican street food