Looking to impress your friends and family with your culinary skills? Nothing pleases the taste buds as much as a plate of homemade smoked beef cheek birria tacos. This Mexican dish has taken the world by storm and for a good reason – it’s savory, spicy, and an explosion of flavors in every bite. In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of making the most delicious smoked beef cheek birria tacos at home. Get ready to spice up your kitchen and impress your taste buds with this mouth-watering recipe!
How to Make the Most Delicious Smoked Beef Cheek Birria Tacos at Home
Introduction
Birria is a traditional Mexican dish that has recently taken the world by storm. This flavorful stew is usually made with goat or beef and a blend of dried chilies and spices. One of the most popular Mexican street foods at the moment is Beef Cheek Birria Tacos. These juicy, flavorful tacos are made with slow-cooked beef cheeks and a consomé dipping sauce. In this article, we will show you how to make the most delicious smoked Beef Cheek Birria Tacos at home.
Ingredients you will need ##
- 3 pounds of beef cheeks
- 1 onion
- 4 garlic cloves
- 3 dried guajillo chilies
- 3 dried ancho chilies
- 1 tablespoon of cumin
- 1 tablespoon of dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- 1 tablespoon of black pepper
- 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika
- 4 cups of beef broth
- 1 can of crushed tomatoes
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 12 tortillas
- 1 cup of shredded Mexican style cheese
- Fresh cilantro
- 4 Radishes
- 1 white onion
Smoking the beef cheeks
The first step to making these delicious Beef Cheek Birria Tacos is to smoke the beef cheeks. You can use any type of wood for smoking, but we recommend oak or mesquite for a bold flavor. Rub the beef cheeks with Malcom’s BBQ Gloves and let them marinate for 30 minutes. Then cook them on a Grilla Grills Pellet Grill at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-4 hours or until they reach an internal temperature of 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Braising the beef cheeks
After smoking the beef cheeks, let them rest for 30 minutes before slicing them into small portions. In a large pot, add the sliced beef cheeks, diced onion, minced garlic, dried guajillo chilies, dried ancho chilies, cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, beef broth, crushed tomatoes, bay leaves, and cinnamon stick. Cover the pot with a lid and cook the beef cheeks on low heat for 3 hours or until they are fork-tender.
Assembling the tacos
Once the beef cheeks are cooked, use two forks to shred the meat into small pieces. Heat the tortillas on a griddle or in the microwave. Dip each tortilla into the consomé sauce then fill it with the shredded beef cheeks, Mexican style cheese, chopped cilantro, sliced radishes, and diced white onion.
Serve hot and enjoy!
Consomé Dipping Sauce
To make the dipping sauce, strain the braising liquid through a fine-mesh sieve. Remove the bay leaves and cinnamon stick. Serve the consomé in small bowls alongside the tacos, for dipping.
Promotions and Links ##
This delicious recipe originates from renowned BBQ pitmaster Malcom Reed. He demonstrates how to make this recipe on his YouTube channel and has links to purchase his BBQ supplies and spices.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use other meats instead of beef cheeks for this recipe?
- Yes, you can use other meats like pork, lamb or goat if you prefer.
- Can I use store-bought tortillas for this recipe?
- Yes, you can use store-bought tortillas if you can’t make your own.
- How many calories are in Beef Cheek Birria Tacos?
- The calorie count varies depending on the ingredients used.
- Can leftovers be refrigerated?
- Yes, you can refrigerate any leftover beef cheeks and consomé to be used later.
- Can I make birria in a slow cooker?
- Yes, you can make birria in a slow cooker, but it might not have the same smoky flavor as it would if cooked on a pellet grill.
Conclusion
Beef Cheek Birria Tacos are a delicious and flavorful meal that can be enjoyed any time of day. By following this recipe, you can easily recreate this Mexican-inspired dish at home and impress your guests. Don’t forget to use high-quality ingredients and enjoy the fruits of your labor.