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A close-up shot of a single slow cooker birria taco being dipped into a small bowl of consommé. The focus is on the tender shredded beef and melted cheese inside the crispy tortilla.

Crock Pot Birria Tacos (Easy & Authentic Recipe)

This Crock Pot Birria Tacos recipe delivers fall-apart tender beef in a rich, authentic adobo sauce. Learn how to make the best slow cooker birria for dipping, with crispy, cheesy quesabirria tacos everyone will love.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 480

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lbs beef chuck roast cut into 3-4 inch chunks
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 guajillo chiles stems and seeds removed
  • 2 ancho chiles stems and seeds removed
  • 3 chiles de árbol use more or less for desired heat
  • 1 medium white onion roughly chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 2 roma tomatoes halved
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp dried Mexican oregano
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 stick cinnamon
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tsp salt to taste
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 16 corn tortillas
  • 2 cups Oaxaca or mozzarella cheese shredded
  • Chopped cilantro, onion, and lime wedges for serving

Equipment

  • 1 Slow Cooker (6-quart or larger)
  • 1 Blender
  • 1 Large Skillet

Instructions
 

  1. Place the stemmed and seeded guajillo and ancho chiles in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast for 30-60 seconds per side until fragrant. Transfer all chiles (including chiles de árbol) to a heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water. Let soak for 20-30 minutes until softened.
  2. Transfer the soaked chiles to a blender along with 1 cup of the soaking liquid. Add the onion, garlic, tomatoes, vinegar, cumin, oregano, cloves, and cinnamon stick. Blend until completely smooth.
  3. Pat the chuck roast chunks dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef on all sides until a deep brown crust forms. Transfer the seared beef to the slow cooker.
  4. Pour the adobo sauce over the beef in the slow cooker. Add the beef broth and bay leaves. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 4-6 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.
  5. Remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Skim any excess fat from the surface of the consommé in the crock pot and remove the bay leaves.
  6. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Dip a corn tortilla into the consommé, coating both sides. Place it on the hot skillet. Top one half with shredded beef and shredded cheese. Fold the tortilla and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until crispy and the cheese is melted.
  7. Serve the hot quesabirria tacos immediately with a side of the warm consommé for dipping, garnished with fresh cilantro, onion, and lime wedges.

Notes

Spice Level: Adjust the number of chiles de árbol to control the heat. For a milder version, use only one or omit them entirely.
Cheese: Oaxaca cheese is traditional for its excellent melting quality, but low-moisture mozzarella or Monterey Jack are great substitutes.
Freezing: The cooked beef and consommé freeze wonderfully. Store them in separate airtight containers for up to 3 months.
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