How to Make Birria Tacos Using Goat and Beef Short Rib Meat

birria meat

🥗Healthier: lean beef

💰Cheaper: pork shoulder

Lean beef is lower in fat, while pork shoulder is often more affordable.

corn tortillas

🥗Healthier: whole grain tortillas

💰Cheaper: flour tortillas

Whole grain tortillas offer more fiber, while flour tortillas can be less expensive.

Set up the smoker for indirect smoking, or use an oven.

Fill the charcoal basket with lump charcoal or briquettes and light it up.

Prepare the meat: remove the shank from the goat leg to fit in the tray.

Season the goat leg and beef short ribs with yellow mustard and steak shooter spicy rub.

Preheat the smoker to just below 275°F (135°C).

Add cherry wood chunks for smoking flavor.

Smoke the meat for 2 to 3 hours until it develops color and starts to pull back from the bones.

Soak 3 guajillo chilies and 1 ancho chili in boiling water for about 10 minutes.

Cut a brown onion in half, peel it, and smoke it on the barbecue until it gets color.

In a food processor, combine 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 3 tablespoons Chipotle in Adobo sauce, 400 grams chopped tomatoes, 7 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon oregano, and 1 teaspoon ground cumin seeds.

Add the softened chilies and smoked onion to the food processor and blend until smooth, adjusting salt to taste.

Prepare a tray with the blended sauce and add chicken stock until it’s not overflowing.

Add the smoked meat to the tray, along with 4 dried bay leaves, a cinnamon stick, and 6 cloves, then cover with foil.

Cook until the meat is tender, reaching an internal temperature of around 205°F (96°C).

After about 5 hours, check the meat for tenderness.

Remove the meat from the smoker and strain the liquid into a bowl.

Pull apart the meat, removing any membrane and bones, and ensure no gristle remains.

Cover the pulled meat with cling wrap and refrigerate overnight to develop flavors.

Make the tortillas: combine 1 cup corn Masa flour with a pinch of salt.

Add 3/4 cup lukewarm water to the flour and mix well.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

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Dietary

Allergens