Bushra Griffith
Birria tacos are a juicy, cheesy, and delicious Mexican dish created in Tijuana. They are made by braising birria de rez and then making a consomé, which is used to fry up the tacos. The best cheese for birria tacos is Oaxacan (or Oaxaca) cheese, a gooey Mexican cheese that melts superbly and lends a mild flavour that balances out the birria meat perfectly. However, if you can't get your hands on some Oaxacan cheese, freshly grated low-moisture mozzarella or pepper jack cheese are great alternatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Oaxaca (quesillo) |
| Cheese type alternatives | Mozzarella, Pepper Jack, Chihuahua, Asadero, Quesadilla, Colby Jack |
| Cheese texture | Melty, gooey, soft |
| Cheese quantity | A small handful |
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What You'll Learn
Oaxaca cheese is the best cheese for birria tacos
Birria tacos are a Mexican dish created in Tijuana, typically made with corn tortillas, shredded meat, cilantro, onions, and lots of melty cheese. When it comes to choosing the best cheese for birria tacos, Oaxaca cheese stands out as the ideal option. Also known as quesillo, this Mexican cheese is a type of soft Mexican melting cheese that is perfect for achieving the desired gooey and melty texture in birria tacos.
Oaxaca cheese is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese that originates from Mexico. Its mild flavour and exceptional melting properties make it an excellent choice for birria tacos. When shredded or thinly sliced, Oaxaca cheese easily melts into a creamy, gooey consistency, creating the perfect texture for the tacos. The mild flavour of the cheese also helps to balance out the flavours of the other ingredients, especially the seasoned birria broth and meat.
While other cheeses can be used as substitutes, such as mozzarella, Pepper Jack, or Colby Jack, Oaxaca cheese is the preferred choice for achieving the authentic taste and texture of birria tacos. Its ability to melt smoothly without becoming greasy or overpowering in flavour makes it the ideal cheese to complement the other ingredients.
Preparing birria tacos with Oaxaca cheese is simple and enjoyable. Start by dipping a corn tortilla in the richly flavoured birria broth and placing it on a hot skillet. Sprinkle shredded Oaxaca cheese on the tortilla and add your choice of shredded meat, such as beef, goat, or lamb. Fold the tortilla and cook until the cheese has melted and the taco shell becomes crispy. Serve the birria tacos warm, with a side of extra birria broth for dipping.
In summary, Oaxaca cheese is the best cheese for birria tacos due to its superior melting properties and mild flavour. Its ability to create a creamy, gooey texture without overwhelming the dish makes it the perfect choice for achieving the desired taste and texture of this Mexican delicacy. So, the next time you're craving birria tacos, be sure to reach for Oaxaca cheese to take your culinary experience to the next level.
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Mozzarella and Pepper Jack are good substitutes
Birria tacos are a Mexican dish created in Tijuana, typically made with corn tortillas, shredded meat, cilantro, onions, and lots of melty cheese. The cheese traditionally used in birria tacos is Oaxacan cheese, also known as quesillo, a white semi-soft cow's milk cheese from Mexico. Oaxacan cheese is loved for its gooey and melty texture, lending a mild flavor that balances out the birria meat perfectly.
However, if your local grocery store doesn’t carry Oaxacan cheese, you can swap it with either freshly grated low-moisture mozzarella cheese or pepper jack cheese instead. Mozzarella is a suitable substitute for Oaxacan cheese because it has a similar texture and melting quality. Mozzarella is a soft, semi-soft, or hard cheese that is mild and creamy, with a high moisture content, making it perfect for melting. It is a good choice for birria tacos as it will melt easily and not overpower the other flavors in the taco.
Pepper jack cheese is also an excellent substitute for Oaxacan cheese in birria tacos. Pepper jack is an American version of Monterey Jack cheese with spicy peppers added to give it a kick. It has a mild flavor with a hint of spice, which can add an extra dimension to your birria tacos. The peppers in the cheese can also help to balance out the richness of the other ingredients in the tacos.
Both mozzarella and pepper jack cheeses are widely available in most grocery stores, making them convenient substitutes if you are unable to find Oaxacan cheese. They will both melt well and provide a delicious, gooey texture to your birria tacos. So, if you are looking to make this popular Mexican dish at home, don't be discouraged if you can't find the traditional cheese—mozzarella and pepper jack are great alternatives!
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Cheese should be shredded or thinly sliced
When making birria tacos, it is important to use shredded or thinly sliced cheese. This is because the cheese needs to melt quickly and easily inside the taco. If the cheese is not shredded or thinly sliced, it may not melt properly, resulting in a less gooey and mouthwatering taco.
Oaxaca cheese, also known as quesillo, is the most commonly recommended cheese for birria tacos. It is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese from Mexico that melts superbly and has a mild flavour. It can be found in the Latin American cheese section of grocery stores, but if you can't find it, there are several alternatives you can use. These include freshly grated low-moisture mozzarella, Colby Jack, regular mozzarella, Pepper Jack, or Mexican blend.
If you are using a hard cheese such as cotija, it is especially important to shred it before adding it to your birria tacos. This will ensure that it mixes well with the other ingredients and melts properly. You can also sprinkle crumbled queso fresco on top of your Oaxaca cheese for a salty hit.
When preparing your birria tacos, it is recommended to prep all of your ingredients, including the cheese, before frying. This will ensure that you can work quickly and easily when assembling your tacos. It is also important not to overfill your tacos with cheese, as it will ooze out while frying if you add too much.
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Cheese is stuffed inside the taco
Birria tacos are a type of Mexican taco, also known as quesabirria, quesotacos, or quesatacos. They are made by dipping corn tortillas in birria broth, filling them with shredded meat and cheese, and then pan-frying them until the cheese is melted and the taco shell is crispy.
The type of cheese used in birria tacos is an important consideration. While Oaxaca cheese, also known as quesillo, is the most commonly recommended variety, it can sometimes be hard to find. It is a white, semi-soft cow's milk cheese from Mexico that is known for its gooey, melty texture and mild flavour. Other Mexican melting cheeses, such as Chihuahua, asadero, or quesadilla cheese, can also be used. If you are unable to find Mexican melting cheeses, you can use any shredded cheese that you prefer, such as a Mexican blend, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or Colby Jack.
Once you have chosen your cheese, it is time to assemble the tacos. Start by dipping a corn tortilla in the birria broth and placing it on a hot skillet. You can also heat up the reserved fat from the braised meat and use it to pan-fry the tortillas. Add a small handful of shredded meat, such as beef, goat, or lamb, to the tortilla and then a handful of cheese. Shape it into a taco and flip it over so that the other side can get crispy and melty as well. Fry the taco until it is golden and lightly crispy, and the cheese is bubbly. You can also bake the tacos in the oven to get them crispy and melty.
It is important not to overfill the tacos, especially when it comes to the cheese, as it will ooze out while frying if you add too much. You can serve the birria tacos with a side of consomé (broth) for dipping and a squeeze of lime juice. Birria tacos are a fun and delicious meal that can be easily made at home and are sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
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Cheese is sprinkled on top of the taco
Birria tacos are a type of Mexican taco that has gained popularity through social media channels like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. They are made with corn tortillas that are dipped in a richly-flavored birria broth and filled with shredded meat, cilantro, onions, and lots of melty cheese. The tacos are then pan-fried until golden and crispy. The cheese is typically sprinkled on top of the taco before serving, and can also be used as a filling.
The best cheese for quesabirria tacos is Oaxaca cheese, also known as quesillo. This gooey, melty Mexican cheese lends a mild flavor that balances out the birria meat perfectly. It can be found in the Latin American cheese section of grocery stores. If you cannot find Oaxaca cheese, you can substitute it with freshly grated low-moisture mozzarella cheese, Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, or regular mozzarella.
When preparing the tacos, it is important to dip the tortillas in the broth and then place them on a hot skillet before filling them with the meat and cheese. The cheese should be sprinkled on top of the taco and allowed to melt before adding the meat and folding the tortilla. The tacos are then fried until the cheese is bubbly and the tortilla is crispy.
In addition to the cheese, cilantro, lime wedges, and chopped onions are commonly used as toppings for birria tacos. The lime wedges add a fresh flavor to the tacos and help to cut through the fattiness of the cheese and meat. The acid in the lime juice also enhances the flavor of the consomé, a broth that is served on the side for dipping.
Birria tacos are a delicious and fun dish to make, and the process can be made easier by preparing the birria meat ahead of time. The cheese is an essential component of these tacos, adding a gooey, melty texture and a mild, savory flavor that balances out the other ingredients.
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Frequently asked questions
Oaxaca cheese is the best cheese for quesabirria tacos. It is a gooey, melty Mexican cheese that lends a mild flavor that balances out the birria meat perfectly.
Oaxaca cheese can be hard to find so good substitutes include freshly grated low-moisture mozzarella cheese or pepper jack cheese.
Birria tacos are made by first dipping corn tortillas in birria broth. Then, place the tortilla on a hot skillet and fill it with birria beef and your choice of cheese. Fold and fry until the cheese has melted and the taco shell is crispy.
