
Birria tacos are a juicy, cheesy, and delicious Mexican dish that has become extremely popular. They are made by frying up corn tortillas with meat and cheese, and serving them with a side of consomé for dipping. The best cheese for birria tacos is a soft Mexican melting cheese such as Oaxaca, Chihuahua, asadero, or quesadilla cheese. Oaxaca cheese is particularly popular as it is gooey and melts superbly, lending a mild flavour that balances out the birria meat perfectly. If you can't find Oaxaca cheese, mozzarella, Pepper Jack, or Colby Jack are great alternatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Soft Mexican melting cheese |
| Examples | Oaxaca, Chihuahua, asadero, quesadilla, mozzarella, Pepper Jack, Colby Jack |
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What You'll Learn
- Oaxaca cheese is the best cheese for birria tacos
- Mozzarella is a good alternative
- Other Mexican melting cheeses like Chihuahua, asadero, or quesadilla cheese are also good
- If you can't find Mexican cheese, use a Mexican blend, Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack
- Colby Jack is another substitute for Oaxaca cheese

Oaxaca cheese is the best cheese for birria tacos
When making birria tacos, it is essential to use a cheese that melts well to create a cohesive and indulgent bite. Oaxaca cheese is a soft Mexican melting cheese that seamlessly blends with the other ingredients, ensuring every mouthful is packed with flavour. Its mild flavour also prevents it from overpowering the other components, allowing the birria meat and toppings to shine through.
The versatility of Oaxaca cheese is another advantage. It can be shredded or thinly sliced, making it easy to incorporate into the taco assembly process. While it is typically found in the Latin American cheese section of grocery stores, if you cannot locate it, there are alternative options. Mozzarella, which shares similar melting properties, can be used as a substitute, as can Colby Jack or Pepper Jack cheese.
Oaxaca cheese is an integral component of birria tacos, contributing to their signature creamy texture and indulgent taste experience. Its melting quality, mild flavour, and versatility in form and substitutes make it the ideal choice for this dish. By selecting Oaxaca cheese, you are ensuring that your birria tacos are not only delicious but also authentic, as this cheese is a traditional and time-honoured selection for this beloved Mexican dish.
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Mozzarella is a good alternative
Birria tacos are a juicy, cheesy, and delicious Mexican dish that has gained popularity through social media channels like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. While the traditional recipe calls for Oaxacan cheese, mozzarella is a good alternative.
Mozzarella is a soft, mild-flavoured cheese that melts easily, making it ideal for birria tacos. Its stringy, stretchy texture and creamy mouthfeel complement the other ingredients in the tacos, such as the shredded beef and crispy tortilla. Mozzarella also has a high moisture content, which contributes to the juiciness of the dish.
When substituting mozzarella for Oaxacan cheese in birria tacos, it is best to use shredded mozzarella. This ensures that the cheese melts evenly and creates a cohesive filling for the tacos. About four tablespoons of shredded mozzarella per taco should be sufficient.
In addition to its taste and textural qualities, mozzarella is also a practical choice for birria tacos. It is widely available in most grocery stores, making it accessible to those who may not have access to specialised Mexican cheeses. Mozzarella also tends to be more affordable than some other cheeses, which can be advantageous for those on a budget.
For those who are lactose intolerant, dairy-free mozzarella can be used as a substitute, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the deliciousness of birria tacos.
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Other Mexican melting cheeses like Chihuahua, asadero, or quesadilla cheese are also good
Birria tacos are a popular Mexican dish that combines the best of tacos and quesadillas. They are made by dipping corn tortillas in a rich, zesty birria broth, filling them with shredded meat, cheese, and other toppings, then frying them until crispy. The tacos are then served warm with extra broth for dipping.
While Oaxaca cheese is a popular choice for birria tacos, other Mexican melting cheeses like Chihuahua, asadero, or quesadilla cheese are also good alternatives. These cheeses can be found in the Latin American cheese section of grocery stores and may need to be shredded or thinly sliced by hand if sold in a round shape.
Chihuahua cheese is a soft, melting cheese that is similar to Monterey Jack cheese in terms of flavour and texture. It has a mild, slightly tangy flavour and melts easily, making it ideal for birria tacos. Asadero cheese, on the other hand, has a more pronounced flavour with a hint of nuttiness. It is also a soft, melting cheese that is perfect for adding creaminess to dishes like birria tacos.
Quesadilla cheese, as the name suggests, is commonly used in quesadillas and can also be a great choice for birria tacos. It has a mild flavour and a semi-soft texture, melting easily when heated. In addition to these cheeses, you can also use a Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack cheese for your birria tacos if you prefer a different taste or are unable to find the former options.
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If you can't find Mexican cheese, use a Mexican blend, Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack
When it comes to making birria tacos, the cheese you use is important. Ideally, you want to use a soft Mexican melting cheese like Oaxaca, Chihuahua, asadero, or quesadilla cheese. These can be found in the Latin American cheese section of grocery stores. However, if you can't get your hands on these, you can substitute with a Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack cheese.
Oaxaca cheese is a popular choice for birria tacos as it is gooey and melts well. It also lends a mild flavor that balances out the meat perfectly. If you can't find Oaxaca cheese, which some people compare to Mexican mozzarella, you can use mozzarella as a substitute. Other alternatives include Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, or regular mozzarella.
Monterey Jack is a good option if you're looking for a cheese that melts easily and has a mild flavor. It's also widely available, so it's a convenient choice if you're looking for something that's easy to find.
Pepper Jack is another suitable substitute if you're looking for a cheese with a bit more spice. It has a similar melting quality to Monterey Jack but with a kick, making it a good option if you want to add some heat to your birria tacos.
In conclusion, while the ideal cheese for birria tacos is a soft Mexican melting cheese, you can certainly use a Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack if you can't find the former. These alternative cheeses will still give you the melt and flavor you're looking for in this dish.
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Colby Jack is another substitute for Oaxaca cheese
Birria tacos are a juicy, cheesy, and delicious Mexican dish that has become extremely popular. They are made by braising birria de rez and then making a consomé, which is a type of broth. The tortillas are then fried up with cheese and the birria meat and served with the consomé for dipping.
Oaxaca cheese is the most popular type of cheese used in birria tacos. This Mexican cheese is known for its gooey, melty texture and mild flavor that balances out the rich, savory, and spicy birria meat perfectly. However, Oaxaca cheese can sometimes be hard to find. If you are unable to get your hands on some Oaxaca cheese, there are several other types of cheese that you can use as substitutes.
To use Colby Jack in birria tacos, simply shred or slice the cheese and add it to your tortillas before frying. You can also sprinkle on some extra Colby Jack after frying for an extra cheesy treat. As with Oaxaca cheese, Colby Jack pairs well with the other common ingredients in birria tacos, such as cilantro, onion, and lime juice.
In addition to Colby Jack, other substitute cheeses for Oaxaca include mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, and Mexican blends.
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Frequently asked questions
Oaxaca cheese is the best cheese for quesabirria tacos. It is a gooey Mexican cheese that melts superbly and lends a mild flavor that balances out the birria meat perfectly.
Some alternatives to Oaxaca cheese include Chihuahua, asadero, quesadilla cheese, mozzarella, Pepper Jack, and Colby Jack.
Oaxaca cheese is a soft Mexican melting cheese.
Oaxaca cheese can often be found in the Latin American cheese section of grocery stores.
Yes, you can omit the cheese in the birria taco recipe or substitute it with something else.
























