Birria tacos have become incredibly popular in recent years, exploding onto the food scene as a delicious Mexican street food. But there has been some confusion around what these tacos are actually made of. The name “birria” refers to a spicy Mexican meat stew, often made with goat or lamb. However, birria tacos served in the U.S. are most commonly made with beef. So are birria tacos made with pork?
What is Birria?
Birria is a traditional Mexican dish that originated in the state of Jalisco. It’s a meat stew that is slowly cooked until the meat becomes very tender and flavorful. Traditional birria recipes call for goat or lamb, but beef, chicken, and pork are also commonly used.
The meat is braised with a blend of dried chiles, herbs, and spices, resulting in a complex, spicy red sauce. Common seasonings include garlic, cumin, oregano, cloves, cinnamon, and fresh mint. The long cooking time allows the meat to absorb all the delicious flavors.
Origin of Birria Tacos
While birria stews have been around for centuries, birria tacos are a more recent adaptation. They originated in Tijuana, Mexico in the 1990s or early 2000s.
Street vendors in Tijuana took the classic birria recipe and began serving it in a new way – stuffed into small, handmade corn tortillas. The stuffed tacos are then dipped into the leftover birria broth before serving, adding an extra layer of flavor.
This street food started gaining popularity in Southern California and the southwest U.S. in the late 2010s. Since then, it has spread across the country in trendy taco shops and Mexican restaurants.
Meat Used in Birria Tacos
Nowadays, the most common protein used to make birria tacos is beef. Typically flank steak, chuck roast, or brisket are used. The long braising transforms these affordable cuts into incredibly tender, shredded meat.
Goat was originally used in the Jalisco region where birria originated from. But beef is now favored for birria tacos in Mexico and the U.S. It’s cheaper, milder in flavor, and appeals to more American palates.
Pork
While less common, some restaurants do make birria tacos with pork. Pork shoulder or pork butt are cut into large chunks and cooked until fall-apart tender.
Pork birria often has a milder chile flavor compared to beef or goat birria. It can be a good option for those who find other birria too spicy.
Chicken
Chicken birria tacos are also found at some taquerias. Chicken legs or thighs hold up well to the long braising time. The chicken takes on all the complex flavors and makes a lighter, but still delicious birria taco.
Typical Birria Taco Ingredients
In addition to the meat, birria tacos include:
- Corn tortillas – Handmade, small corn tortillas are ideal for birria tacos.
- Onion and cilantro – Fresh chopped onion and cilantro add flavor and texture.
- Salsa – A salsa like salsa verde, roasted tomato salsa, or habanero salsa can be added.
- Lime – A squeeze of lime juice brightens up the tacos.
- Birria broth – The tacos are dipped in the meat’s beefy, spicy broth before serving.
How Birria Tacos Are Made
Making authentic birria tacos is a time-consuming process, but so worth it!
First, the meat of choice is seasoned with dried chiles, spices, vinegar, and other ingredients. It’s then braised for 2-3 hours until super tender.
Once cooked, the meat is shredded. Small corn tortillas are lightly fried then filled with the shredded meat. They are dipped into the leftover braising liquid before serving.
The consumer gets to enjoy a delightfully crispy and juicy taco brimming with shredded, chili-infused meat and meltingly tender corn tortilla. Every bite is packed with incredible texture and complex, hearty flavors!
Conclusion
While the traditional protein for birria is goat or lamb, beef birria tacos are now the standard, especially in the U.S. Pork and chicken birria can sometimes be found, but beef reigns supreme.
So in general, no – birria tacos are not made of pork. But pork birria is an uncommon, but tasty variation you may encounter at some taquerias. No matter what meat is used, birria tacos are a delicious Mexican American street food worth seeking out!