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Crockpot Birria Tacos. Crockpot party food

Crockpot Birria Tacos

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Total Time 8 hours 40 minutes
Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds beef chuck roast cut into large chunks
  • 4 dried guajillo chilies stemmed and seeded
  • 2 dried ancho chilies stemmed and seeded
  • 1 white onion quartered, plus 1/2 cup diced for serving
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 2 roma tomatoes
  • 4 cups beef broth divided
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cinnamon stick optional
  • 16 small corn tortillas
  • 2 cups shredded Oaxaca or mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro lime wedges, for serving

Instructions

  • Toast the dried guajillo and ancho chilies in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until fragrant, then soak in hot water for 10 minutes until pliable.
  • Drain the chilies and blend with the onion quarters, garlic, tomatoes, vinegar, cumin, oregano and 1 cup of beef broth until smooth.
  • Place the beef chunks in a 6-quart crockpot, pour the chili sauce and remaining 3 cups of broth over, and add the bay leaves and cinnamon stick.
  • Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, until the beef shreds easily with two forks.
  • Remove the beef, shred it, and discard the bay leaves and cinnamon stick.
  • Skim the fat from the broth and set it aside; return the shredded beef to the crockpot on warm.
  • Dip each tortilla in the reserved fat, fill with beef and cheese, fold in half, and pan-fry on a hot griddle for 2 minutes per side, until crisp and the cheese melts.
  • Serve with diced onion, cilantro, lime wedges and a small cup of the warm broth for dipping.

Good to Know

Braise the beef a day ahead and refrigerate it in the broth; the flavor deepens overnight and frying the tacos takes fifteen minutes on game day.