Birria and quesabirria tacos have become incredibly popular in recent years. Both dishes originate from Mexico and feature meat braised in a chile-based sauce. However, there are some key differences between traditional birria tacos and the newer quesabirria tacos.
What are Birria Tacos?
Birria tacos are traditionally made with goat meat or lamb that has been slowly braised and shredded. The meat is then stuffed into a corn tortilla and topped with diced onions, cilantro, and often a side of consome, the braising liquid. Birria tacos originated in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. The name comes from the Spanish word “birria” meaning a young goat. While goat was originally used, today birria can also be made with beef, pork, or chicken.
Birria became popularized in Tijuana, where it was common street food. From there, it migrated north and became a sensation in Los Angeles, specifically on food trucks. The key components that make birria tacos special are:
- Meat: Goat, lamb, beef, pork, or chicken that has been braised until very tender
- Chile Sauce: The meat is braised in a sauce made from dried chiles, such as guajillo, ancho, arbol, and chipotle
- Corn Tortilla: The braised, shredded meat is stuffed into a small corn tortilla
- Onions and Cilantro: Toppings typically include chopped white onion and cilantro
- Consomé: Birria is usually served with a side of consomé, the flavorful braising liquid
The long braising time allows the meat to become fall-apart tender and absorb the complex flavors of the chiles and spices. When stuffed into a tortilla with fresh toppings and dunked in the consomé, it makes for an incredible taco experience.
What are Quesabirria Tacos?
Quesabirria tacos are a newer creation that originated in restaurants and food trucks in Southern California, likely Los Angeles. As the name implies, quesabirria tacos take the braised birria meat and add melted cheese to create a quesadilla-taco hybrid.
The main distinguishing feature of quesabirria tacos is the addition of melted cheese. Typically a mozzarella or Oaxaca cheese is liberally sprinkled on the meat before folding the tortilla over to make a taco shape. When the cheese melts, it adds a gooey, stringy texture and richer flavor.
Other key features of quesabirria tacos include:
- Birria Meat: Beef or pork braised in a chile-based sauce
- Cheese: Melted mozzarella or Oaxaca cheese
- Corn Tortilla: Folded into a taco shape around the fillings
- Onions and Cilantro: Same fresh toppings as traditional birria
- Consomé: Also typically served with dipping consomé
The cheese adds a new twist to the traditional birria taco. The melted cheese enhances the flavor and provides an indulgent, comforting element.
Differences Between Birria and Quesabirria Tacos
While birria and quesabirria tacos share many similarities, there are some key differences:
| Birria Tacos | Quesabirria Tacos |
|---|---|
| – Goat, lamb, beef, pork, chicken | – Typically beef or pork |
| – No cheese | – Always contains melted cheese like mozzarella or Oaxaca |
| – Traditional Mexican dish from Jalisco | – Invented more recently in Southern California |
| – Emphasizes the long-braised meat | – Cheese adds a new layer of flavor and texture |
While the core components are similar, the addition of cheese gives quesabirria a more indulgent, hybrid quality compared to traditional birria. Birria highlights the deeply flavored braised meat, while quesabirria is just as much about the melted cheese.
Preparation Methods
Both birria and quesabirria tacos require a lengthy preparation process. Here is an overview of the key steps:
Birria Tacos
- Season meat with dry spices and sear
- Simmer meat in chile-based sauce for 2-3 hours until very tender
- Shred braised meat
- Dip small corn tortillas in consomé and grill lightly
- Fill tortilla with birria meat, onions, cilantro
- Serve with side of consomé for dipping
The long braising time and blended chiles are essential for birria. Goat or lamb shoulder or shank is traditionally used.
Quesabirria Tacos
- Season beef or pork and braise in chile sauce for 2-3 hours
- Shred braised meat
- Place meat in tortilla and top with cheese like mozzarella or Oaxaca
- Broil open-faced until cheese melts
- Fold tortilla over into taco shape
- Top with onions, cilantro
- Serve with consomé
Quesabirria uses similar braised meat, but finishing it open-faced under the broiler allows the cheese to get perfectly melted and gooey before folding into a taco.
Traditional Toppings
Both birria and quesabirria tacos use similar traditional toppings:
- Onions: Raw white onions, finely chopped
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro leaves
- Limes: Wedges of lime to squeeze over the tacos
- Consomé: The flavorful chile-infused braising liquid
- Salsa: Many recipes suggest serving with salsa on the side
The freshness of the raw onions and cilantro balance the rich braised meat. The lime adds brightness, and the consomé can be used as a dip for added flavor.
Where to Find Birria and Quesabirria Tacos
Here are some places you can find delicious birria and quesabirria tacos:
Birria Tacos
- Tacos El Gordo – Tijuana and Las Vegas
- Tacos Tu Madre – Los Angeles
- Tacos Sinaloa – Oakland
- Birrieria Zaragoza – Chicago
Quesabirria Tacos
- El Ruso – Silver Lake, Los Angeles
- Burritos La Palma – Multiple SoCal Locations
- Albertaco’s – San Diego
- Belly Bombz – California food trucks
Birria taco shops can be found all over California, the Southwest, and major cities with large Mexican populations like Chicago. Quesabirria is concentrated in Southern California currently. Be on the lookout as both varieties continue to expand in popularity nationwide.
How to Make Birria and Quesabirria at Home
While the long braising time makes birria or quesabirria tacos a commitment, it is possible to make both at home. Here is an overview of recipes and tips:
Birria Tacos
Authentic birria uses goat or lamb shoulder or shank. Beef chuck roast can substitute. The keys are:
- Season meat generously with dry spices like cumin, garlic, oregano, cloves
- Sear meat before simmering to build flavor
- Simmer in chile-based sauce for 2-3 hours until fall-apart tender
- Blend some braising liquid back into shredded meat
Allow time for the long, slow braise to let the flavors develop. Use fresh, high-quality corn tortillas.
Quesabirria
For quesabirria at home:
- Braise pork shoulder, beef chuck, or short ribs
- Shred meat and place in tortilla
- Top with mozzarella, Oaxaca, or mixed cheese
- Broil open-faced until cheese is melted and browned
- Finish with traditional toppings
Broiling the open-faced taco before folding allows the cheese to get perfectly melted and browned. Sprinkling a little extra cheese in the folds adds more gooey bites.
FAQs
Is birria spicy?
Birria can have a mild to moderate spice level depending on the type and amount of dried chiles used. The long simmering tends to mellow out some of the spice. Adding a salsa on the side can amp up the heat.
What meat is used in quesabirria?
Quesabirria is most commonly made with beef like chuck roast or short ribs or pork shoulder. Traditional birria uses goat or lamb.
What cheese is used in quesabirria?
Popular options are Oaxaca, mozzarella, asadero, or chihuahua. Many recipes call for a mix of shredded and fresh mozzarella to get both melted and gooey strings of cheese.
How long does birria take to make?
Birria requires a braise time of 2-3 hours minimum. Additional time is needed to prepare the chiles, spices, consomé, and other elements.
Is quesabirria the same as quesatacos?
Quesatacos refer more broadly to any tacos with melted cheese. Quesabirria uses birria meat specifically, while quesatacos can have any protein like steak, chicken, etc.
In Conclusion
While birria and quesabirria share the same incredible braised meat, quesabirria adds an extra layer of gooey melted cheese. Traditional birria tacos from Jalisco focus on the long-cooked meat deeply flavored by chiles and spices. The newer quesabirria tacos keep the delicious birria but incorporate melted cheese for added richness.
Birria and quesabirria offer incredible at-home taco experiences. With the right recipes and some time, you can make both mouthwatering variations loaded with tender meat, melty cheese, and incredible Mexican flavors.
Whether you prefer traditional birria or the cheesy quesabirria, both make for amazing tacos.