Patrick Oconnell
Birria tacos are a Mexican dish created in Tijuana that gained popularity through social media. They are made by filling corn tortillas with shredded meat, onions, cilantro, and cheese, and then pan-frying them until crispy. The cheese used in birria tacos is typically Oaxaca cheese, also known as quesillo or Oaxacan cheese. It is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese from Mexico with Aztec origins that has a buttery, mellow flavour similar to string cheese. When melted, it becomes gooey and stringy, making it perfect for birria tacos. However, if Oaxaca cheese is hard to find, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack cheese can be used as substitutes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Oaxaca (also known as quesillo) |
| Cheese texture | Gooey, stringy, melty |
| Cheese origin | Mexico (Aztec) |
| Cheese substitute | Mozzarella, Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack |
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What You'll Learn
Oaxacan cheese is the best cheese for birria tacos
Birria tacos are a Mexican dish created in Tijuana that gained popularity in 2021 through social media channels like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. They are made by stuffing tortillas with shredded beef and cheese, and then cooking them on a stove or in an oven until the cheese is melted. The beef in these tacos is called Birria and is a traditional Mexican dish from the state of Jalisco. It is made by slow-cooking beef in a red chile broth with aromatic spices.
Oaxacan cheese, also known as Quesillo, is the best cheese for Birria Tacos. It is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese from Mexico with Aztec origins. Oaxacan cheese has a round shape and a buttery, mellow flavour similar to string cheese. It is considered a melting cheese and when melted, it becomes gooey and perfectly stringy, making it ideal for Birria Tacos. The mild flavour of Oaxacan cheese also balances out the Birria meat perfectly.
While Oaxacan cheese is the best option, it can sometimes be hard to find. In such cases, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack cheese can be good substitutes. These cheeses have similar melting properties and mild flavours that work well in Birria Tacos.
To make Birria Tacos, start by dipping corn tortillas in the consomé or red chile broth. Then, place the tortillas in a hot skillet and top them with shredded meat, chopped onions, cilantro, and Oaxacan cheese. Fold the tortillas over the filling to create a taco and cook until the tortillas are golden and crispy. Serve the Birria Tacos with a small bowl of consomé on the side for dipping, along with lime wedges for squeezing.
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Mozzarella and Pepper Jack are good substitutes
Birria tacos are a Mexican dish created in Tijuana. They are traditionally made with corn tortillas, shredded meat, cilantro, onions, and lots of melty Oaxaca cheese. Oaxaca cheese is a Mexican cheese with Aztec origins that has a buttery, mellow flavour similar to string cheese. When melted, it becomes gooey and stringy, making it perfect for birria tacos.
However, if you are unable to find Oaxaca cheese or want to try something different, mozzarella and Pepper Jack are good substitutes. Mozzarella is a type of cheese that is known for its melting properties and mild flavour. It can be used in birria tacos to create a similar gooey and stringy texture as Oaxaca cheese. Pepper Jack, on the other hand, is a semi-soft cheese with a mild flavour and a subtle kick of spice. It can add a bit of heat to your birria tacos while still melting nicely.
Both mozzarella and Pepper Jack cheeses are widely available and can be found at most grocery stores. They offer a similar melting experience to Oaxaca cheese while bringing their unique flavours to the dish. When substituting cheeses, it is always a good idea to consider the texture and flavour profile you are looking for. In the case of birria tacos, you want a cheese that melts well and complements the other ingredients without overpowering them.
When preparing birria tacos with mozzarella or Pepper Jack cheese, follow the same recipe as you would with Oaxaca cheese. Dip your corn tortillas in the consommé, a Mexican-style broth, and place them in a hot pan. Top the tortillas with shredded meat, chopped onions, cilantro, and your chosen substitute cheese. Fold the tortilla over and cook until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is golden. Serve with a side of consommé for dipping and a squeeze of lime juice.
Whether you use Oaxaca, mozzarella, or Pepper Jack cheese, birria tacos are a delicious and authentic Mexican dish that you can easily make at home. So, the next time you're looking for a cozy and flavourful dinner, consider trying your hand at making these cheesy, crispy tacos.
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Corn tortillas are best for birria tacos
Corn tortillas are the best choice for birria tacos. Birria tacos are a traditional Mexican dish that gained popularity through social media. They are made by stuffing tender, slow-cooked meat (usually beef, goat, chicken, or lamb) and cheese into corn tortillas, which are then pan-fried until crispy. The corn tortillas are dipped in the consomé (broth) before being placed in the pan, which gives them a unique texture and flavor.
Corn tortillas hold up better than flour tortillas when making birria tacos. The flavor and texture of corn tortillas work much better for this recipe. Corn tortillas are also more traditional, as birria is a traditional Mexican dish and corn tortillas are commonly used in Mexican cuisine.
When making birria tacos, it is important to use a tortilla that can withstand the cooking process and complement the flavors of the filling. Corn tortillas have a stronger texture that can hold up to the weight of the meat and cheese without falling apart. They also have a more neutral flavor that allows the other ingredients to shine.
In addition, corn tortillas are gluten-free, making them a good option for those with gluten intolerances or allergies. They are also typically smaller in size than flour tortillas, which makes them the perfect size for tacos.
While corn tortillas are the best choice for birria tacos, some people may prefer to use flour tortillas or a mix of corn and flour tortillas. However, for the most authentic and delicious birria tacos, corn tortillas are the way to go.
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Birria is slow-cooked meat, usually goat or beef
The traditional Mexican dish of Birria is from the state of Jalisco. The Spanish term "birria" was used to describe things without value or quality, and it is unclear how it came to be a term for slow-cooked meat. Birria is traditionally an ancestral stew cooked at a low heat in a pot. It is not cooked underground like barbacoa. In recent years, the popular adaptation of birria has been quesabirria, a style of taco with a tortilla stained red by the birria marinade.
The best cheese for quesabirria tacos is Oaxaca cheese, also known as quesillo. This semi-soft cow's milk cheese has Aztec origins and is readily available in grocery stores. It has a buttery, mellow flavour and melts beautifully, becoming gooey and stringy. If you can't find Oaxaca cheese, mozzarella, Pepper Jack, or Monterey Jack are good substitutes.
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Birria tacos are served with a dipping sauce
Birria tacos are typically served with a dipping sauce, usually a consomme or broth. This is made from the juices of the stewed meat and is often infused with chillies. The consomme is served in a small bowl alongside the tacos for dipping.
The tacos are dipped into the consomme before frying, and then fried with the consomme, but the dipping sauce served with the tacos is separate from this. The dipping sauce is an integral part of the dish, as it adds moisture to the tacos and enhances the flavour.
Birria tacos are often served with lime wedges, which can be squeezed over the tacos or into the dipping sauce. Fresh herbs such as cilantro and chopped red onion are also used to garnish the dish, adding a pop of freshness and colour.
The tacos are also sometimes served with a salsa, which can be used as a dipping sauce or poured over the tacos. Birria tacos are often served with a variety of toppings and sauces, allowing each person to customise their taco to their taste.
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Frequently asked questions
The best cheese for quesabirria tacos is Oaxaca cheese. It is a Mexican cheese with Aztec origins that melts beautifully and lends a mild flavor that balances out the birria meat perfectly.
Some good substitutes for Oaxaca cheese are mozzarella, Pepper Jack, Chihuahua, panela, queso fresco, or cotija.
Birria tacos are a Mexican dish created in Tijuana commonly made with corn tortillas, shredded meat, cilantro, onions, and lots of melty cheese.
