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A red taco filled with beef and oaxaca cheese, being dipped in birria red sauce.
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Birria Tacos - Cowboy Kent Rollins

Prep Time 55 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings 20 tacos

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. boneless chuck roast
  • 2 lbs. beef short ribs
  • ¼ cup kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon Kent’s Mesquite Seasoning
  • 8 dried ancho chilis seeded and stemmed
  • 8 guajillo chilis seeded and stemmed
  • 4 cascabel chilis seeded and stemmed
  • 3 chilis de arbol seeded and stemmed
  • 1 large white onion cut into halves
  • 8 garlic cloves peeled
  • 5 roma tomatoes
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 2 teaspoons whole oregano
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 3 cups beef broth divided
  • 3 - 4 tablespoons cooking oil
  • 20 corn tortillas
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Oaxaca cheese

Instructions

  • Cut the short rib meat off the bone and cut into large chunks and place on a large sheet pan. Cut the chuck roast and add to the sheet pan. Set aside.
  • In a small bowl, combine the salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika and Mesquite seasoning. Generously season the meat with the seasoning mixture. Set aside for about 30 minutes.
  • In a stock pot, add the chilis, onion, garlic cloves, tomatoes and bay leaves. Cover with water and bring to a hard simmer over medium-high heat for about 15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender.
  • Meanwhile, in a large cast iron skillet, heat tablespoon of oil over medium- high heat. Sear the meat in small batches, adding 1 tablespoon of oil each time, about 5 minutes per batch. Remove the meat from the skillet and place in a Dutch oven.
  • Return to the boiling chilies and strain the contents from the water and add to a blender.
  • To the blender, add the oregano, cumin, coriander, cloves, cinnamon, apple cider vinegar and 1 cup beef broth. Blend until smooth. Note: you may have to blend in batches, if it won’t all fit in your blender at one time.
  • Stir the contents of the blender into the beef and stir in the remaining 2 cups of beef broth. Cook over medium-high heat for 10 minutes, at a low boil, stirring occasionally.
  • Cover the dish and place in a preheated oven to 350 degrees F. for about 2 ½ to 3 hours, or until the meat shreds easily.
  • Remove the meat from the sauce, shred and set in a warm place.
  • Take a tortilla and dip in the red broth, to coat. Place in a cast iron skillet over medium-low heat, and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes, or until it warms through. Flip and add about 2 heaping tablespoons of meat to one side of the tortilla, followed by 1 to 2 tablespoons each of the Oaxaca and mozzarella cheeses. Fold the tortilla over and mash slightly with the spatula. Continue cooking until the cheeses have melted and taco has warmed through. Place in a warm oven and repeat with the remaining ingredients.
  • Let cool slightly and serve with the leftover red sauce for dipping