Birria tacos have been having a moment for years now and honestly the moment has not ended. If anything it got bigger. And the halal version of this is genuinely just as good, maybe better, because halal beef has more flavor when it’s done right.
I went down a TikTok rabbit hole on this one before I ever made it myself. Watched probably twenty videos. Here are the three creators whose methods actually worked for me, plus the recipe I put together from testing it at home.
Why birria tacos work so well with halal beef
Birria is traditionally made with goat or beef, slow cooked in a chile broth until it falls apart. The magic is the consomme, the rich braising liquid you dip your taco into before eating. Halal beef chuck roast is perfect for this because it has enough fat to stay tender through the long cook and absorbs the spices beautifully.
What you need (serves 6)
For the birria:
- 3 lbs halal beef chuck roast, cut into large chunks
- 3 dried guajillo chiles, stems and seeds removed
- 2 dried ancho chiles, stems and seeds removed
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce (check the label for halal compliance)
- 1 white onion, roughly chopped
- 6 garlic cloves
- 2 roma tomatoes
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups beef broth (halal certified)
- Salt to taste
- Corn tortillas
- Shredded mozzarella or Oaxacan cheese
- White onion and cilantro to serve
- Lime wedges
How to make it
Toast your dried chiles in a dry pan for about 30 seconds per side until fragrant, then soak them in hot water for 15 minutes to soften. Blend the soaked chiles with the tomatoes, onion, garlic, chipotle, cumin, oregano, cinnamon, and pepper until smooth. Add a little of the chile soaking water to help it blend.
Season your beef chunks generously with salt. Sear them in a hot pot with a little oil until browned on all sides, about 3 minutes per side. Pour the chile sauce over the beef, add the broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce to low, cover, and cook for 3 to 4 hours until the beef pulls apart easily with a fork. Alternatively, use an Instant Pot on high pressure for 45 minutes.
Once the beef is done, remove it and shred it. Strain the braising liquid and keep it warm in a pot. This is your consomme.
To assemble, dip a corn tortilla quickly into the consomme, then place it in a hot pan. Add shredded beef and cheese to one half, fold over, and cook until crispy on both sides. Serve immediately with a small cup of consomme for dipping, topped with diced white onion and cilantro.
The dipping is the whole point. Don’t serve these without the consomme.
Where to find halal beef chuck roast
Most halal butcher shops carry chuck roast. If you’re near a large city, a quick search for “halal butcher near me” will usually turn up several options. Online, Crescent Foods and Midamar both ship halal beef nationwide.