Although they’ve been around forever, one of the top food trends of today are Birria tacos (also known as Quesabirria since it combines elements of a quesadilla with a taco). Traditionally made with goat and an all-day simmering event, we are going to use beef (one of three cuts) and do this in a fraction of the time with under 10 ingredients. The flavor will be just as spectacular. If you love my pozole rojo, you’ll love this!
Add chili powder, cumin and seasoned salt (or adobo seasoning) to a large plate and mix together.
Instant Pot Birria Tacos (Quesabirria)
Yield: 6
Instant Pot Birria Tacos
Although they've been around forever, one of the top food trends of today are Birria tacos (also known as Quesabirria since it combines elements of a quesadilla with a taco). Traditionally made with goat and an all-day simmering event, we are going to use beef (one of three cuts) and do this in a fraction of the time with under 10 ingredients. The flavor will be just as spectacular. If you love my pozole rojo, you'll love this!
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
1 hour
Additional Time
25 minutes
Total Time
1 hour 30 minutes
Ingredients
Choose One Meat
- 6-8 pounds bone-in short ribs
- 5-6 pounds beef brisket (point cut preferably), cut into 4 large chunks
- 1 (3-5) pound chuck roast, cut into 4 large chunks
The Rest
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt OR adobo (any flavor), plus more to taste
- 3 tablespoons salted butter or extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large Spanish onion, sliced lengthwise into ¼-inch strips
- 12 cloves garlic, halved
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 4 ounces dried ancho or guajillo chiles, stems and seeds removed
- Corn tortillas (taco-sized)
Optional Touches (see Jeff’s Tips):
- Shredded cheese
- Fresh cilantro
- Sour Cream
- Guacamole
- Finely diced red, yellow or white onion
Instructions
- On a large plate, mix together the chili powder, cumin and seasoned salt/adobo. Coat the meat in the seasoning.
- Add the butter or olive oil to the Instant Pot, hit Sauté and Adjust so it’s on the More or High setting. After 3 minutes of heating, flash-sear the meat for about 45 seconds on each side. Remove to a plate when done.
- Add the onion and garlic to the pot and sauté for 5 minutes, until slightly softened and the garlic is lightly browned.
- Add the broth and oregano and deglaze (scrape) the bottom of the pot, getting up any browned bits. Return the meat to the pot and top with the chiles. Secure the lid, move the valve to the sealing position, hit Cancel and then hit Manual or Pressure Cook on High Pressure for the following times, depending on which meat you chose:
•Short Ribs: 45 minutes with a 15-minute natural release followed by a quick release
•Brisket: 65 minutes with a 20-minute natural release followed by a quick release
•Chuck Roast: 60 minutes with a 15-minute natural release followed by a quick release - When done, use tongs to transfer the chiles into a food processor or blender and place the meat and onions in a large bowl (a slotted spoon will help with this). (NOTE: if you used short ribs, remove the meat from the bones – they’ll slide right out). Shred the meat with two forks or a hand mixer.
- Ladle 1 cup of the consommé to a large bowl and set aside.
- Ladle 1 more cup of the consommé to the food processor and blend until puréed. Rest a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl and pour the chile purée into it, pressing down with a mixing spoon so all the chile skin is caught as the purée strains into the bowl. Taste the purée and add some more seasoned salt or adobo to taste, if desired. Discard the skins and pour the strained chile purée over the shredded meat. Mix to coat.
- Place a nonstick pan on the stove and turn to medium-high heat. Dip the corn tortillas into the bowl with the cup of reserved consommé (NOTE: You can dip about 2-4 at a time depending on how large your pan is). The more saturated the tortillas are in those juices, the better they’ll taste. Place in the pan and top with some of the shredded meat and any optional toppings such as cheese, diced onion and cilantro. Cook for about 1-2 minutes until the tortilla begins to feel slightly crispy. Using a spatula, fold the tortillas into into a classic crescent shape and cook for 30-60 seconds on each side until the tortilla is crisped and golden-brown (watch it so it doesn’t burn). You now have a taco!
- Serve with any optional toppings of your choice and dip in additional broth while enjoying.
Jeffrey's Tips
This recipe is designed specifically for corn tortillas. Flour tortillas won’t cook or crisp the same way as the corn will when soaked in the Birria consommé and pan-fried.
Although the crispy, greasy taco shells are what make these tacos so special, you can save time and skip Steps 6, 8 and 9 if you want to just use soft corn/flour tortillas or crunchy taco shells instead!
Paul
Looks good. My mouth is watering
Cynthia Pink
Sounds amazing! Must try!
LAURA
Just made these last night. So good! My husband was a little doubtful that they would crisp up but he was wrong. They were perfect. In fact Jeffrey everything I made from your recipes turned out good.
Nikki
We had these tacos while visiting Epcot in Florida. I knew Jeffery would have a recipe that would knock those out of the park, and he did not disappoint. These tacos were amazing!
Dawn Harwell
I made these for taco Tuesday. They were a HUGE hit! I don’t know how I ever cooked without Jeffrey Eisner and an instant pot. Sooooo amazing and so worth the mess!
Melissa S.
It was a lot of steps and a huge mess but soooooo good!! The chili paste through the fine mesh strainer was the only part I struggled with, other than that it was pretty easy and turned out PERFECT!! My family was so impressed 🙂
Jeffrey
So glad! And believe it or not, this is probably the easiest and quickest way to achieve a rich and flavorful birria taco!
Becky Campbell
These are amazing. I made them tonight and we are a happy family. But question…what do we do with the garlic cloves after the cooking process? I read and re-read it. Since they are cut in half, and not minced or pressed, I assumed we needed to remove them. Or should I puree them with the chiles?
Rebekah
These are amazing! They taste just like the authentic Mexican restaurant in town. I doubled the corn tortillas for each taco because that’s what the restaurant does.
Jeffrey
I’ll take that as the highest compliment! Thanks and glad you enjoyed!
Amy
What kind of cheese would you recommend using in these tacos?
Sean King
It says serves 6. Is that 6 tacos or 6 people?
Jeffrey
Approx 6 people
Jeanette
I hope your aren’t eating 6lbs of meat in 1 sitting. 😂
Beth
Birria tacos are so good but get expensive when you order from restaurants every taco Tuesday. Can’t wait to try your recipe. I am also dying to try Birria ramen using your recipe.
Jeffrey
Yummmm! Let me know about how that ramen turns out!
LaDonna Favell
I love making this but add a couple cinnamon sticks while cooking
Dianne Lopez
What cut of meat do you prefer
Jeffrey
Chuck roast
Sally
I’ve made a lot of your recipes Jeffrey (all good), but this might be your best! OMG, it is to die for! It is a bit of work (although nothing difficult), and it is rather messy. But the result is divine! I wouldn’t change a thing. The recipe is perfect.
Jeffrey
I am thrilled!
Yvonne
I have only recently found your website. I’m in England so have to Google some terms and substitute some ingredients. I used what we call braising steak
my 11 year old absolutely loved the birra tacos as did I. I got burn notice when pressure cooking! so quickly transferred to a silicone pot on the trivet. I didn’t do the best job frying them and contemplating putting them in the air fryer next time. I’ve used a few other recipes too. I bought my friend an instant pot and she is loving your recipes too. I just got the ultimate time saving book, can’t wait to try a lot of the recipes.
Jeffrey
I am so honored my recipes are being made in the UK! And even more honored you’re enjoying them!
Pam
I made these tonight. I am a picky birria taco eater and these were very good. A lot of work and mess but worth it!!
Thanks
Jeffrey
I’m so flattered! And yes – tacos are messy by nature 😉
Angela Mueller
I saw some asked about the garlic pieces…same question…what do you do with them….. also it says to put the chilis in a food processor and then also 1 cup of the consume in a food processor…. It says to pour the blended chilis over the meat but not what to do with the blended consumme???