Birria's Best Cheese: Melty, Gooey, And Delicious

Birria is a Mexican stew from the state of Jalisco. It is typically made with goat meat, but beef is more commonly used nowadays. The meat is slow-cooked in a rich chilli sauce, and served with tortillas. Birria tacos are made by dipping corn tortillas into the leftover sauce from the meat, frying them, and filling them with meat and cheese. The best cheese for quesabirria tacos is Oaxaca cheese, which is gooey, stringy, and perfectly melty.

Oaxaca Cheese

To make Birria Quesatacos, start by preparing the Birria. You can use a marinated Birria recipe that is easy to make on the stovetop, in the oven, or in a slow cooker. Keep the shredded beef Birria separate from the braising liquid, also known as consomé, to make the tacos.

Heat a large skillet or cast-iron griddle on the stove over medium-high heat. Coat the skillet with cooking spray or brush it with vegetable oil. Dip a corn tortilla in the consomé, making sure it is covered on both sides. Add the tortilla to the hot skillet and cook for 30 seconds, then flip. Add shredded Oaxaca cheese to one side of the tortilla and top it with shredded beef Birria. Fold the tortilla over and cook for another 30-60 seconds, or until the cheese melts. Remove the taco from the skillet and repeat the process to make more.

You can serve the Birria Quesatacos with diced onions, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges on the side. The consomé can also be served in a small bowl as a dipping sauce for the tacos.

Mozzarella

Birria is a Mexican dish that has become very popular in recent years. It is a slow-cooked meat dish, usually made with goat or beef. The meat is served in a corn tortilla that has been stained red by the birria marinade and filled with melted cheese. The tortilla is then fried until crispy. Birria is a flavourful and textural dish, with the cheese being an important component.

Monterey Jack

When making birria tacos, the tortillas are dipped in the consomé (broth) and then filled with meat and shredded cheese before being fried until crispy. The tacos are then served with a small bowl of the consomé for dipping. This two-step frying process—first dipping the tortillas in the consomé and then frying the assembled tacos—is what gives birria tacos their distinctive crispy texture.

If you are making birria at home, you can prepare the meat and consomé in advance and store them in the fridge until you are ready to assemble and fry the tacos. This will give the flavours in the consomé more time to develop. When you are ready to make the tacos, simply shred the meat, strain the consomé, and follow the steps outlined above.

In addition to Monterey Jack, other types of shredded cheese that can be used in birria tacos include a Mexican blend, Pepper Jack, mozzarella, or Colby Jack. However, it is recommended to use a soft Mexican melting cheese if possible, as this will create the signature gooey, stringy texture that is characteristic of birria tacos.

Pepper Jack

Birria is a Mexican stew from the state of Jalisco. The dish is traditionally made with goat meat, but beef is more commonly used these days. The meat is slow-cooked in a rich sauce made from dried chillies, spices, and herbs. Birria tacos are made by dipping corn tortillas into the stew and then frying them. The tortillas are then filled with meat and cheese and served with a side of the stew for dipping.

If you are making birria tacos, it is important to prepare all your ingredients before frying, as the process happens quickly. You do not want to overfill the tacos, especially with cheese, as it will ooze out while frying. It is also recommended to use a cast-iron or non-stick skillet to prevent the tortillas from sticking to the pan.

While Pepper Jack cheese is a suitable substitute, it is worth noting that the traditional Oaxaca cheese is preferred for a more authentic birria taco experience.

Chihuahua Cheese

When preparing Birria, it is recommended to shred or thinly slice the Chihuahua cheese by hand if it is sold in a round shape. This cheese is a key ingredient in the popular Birria quesatacos, which are a cross between a taco and a quesadilla. The cheese is placed inside a corn tortilla, along with Birria beef and other toppings, and then fried until crispy.

Frequently asked questions