Birria Tacos – The Most Popular Dish of January 2026 (Easy Recipe)
Birria tacos have made a huge comeback and became one of the most searched and cooked dishes in January 2026!
This rich, flavorful, slow-cooked Mexican beef stew turned taco filling has taken over TikTok, YouTube, and Pinterest again — especially because it’s perfect for cold winter months.
Here is a simple, beginner-friendly and authentic-inspired recipe you can easily make at home.
🥩 Ingredients
For the Birria Beef
- 1.2 kg beef chuck or beef shoulder
- 1 onion, roughly chopped
- 4 garlic cloves
- 3 dried guajillo chilies (can be replaced with smoked paprika + chili powder)
- 2 dried ancho chilies (optional)
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 liter beef broth
- Salt & pepper
For the Tacos
- Corn tortillas
- Shredded cheese (mozzarella or cheddar)
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
🔥 Instructions
1. Make the sauce
- Remove stems and seeds from the chilies.
- Soak them in hot water for 10 minutes.
- Blend the chilies with tomatoes, onion, and garlic until smooth.
2. Cook the beef
- Place the beef in a large pot or slow cooker.
- Pour the chili sauce over it.
- Add beef broth, all spices, vinegar, and bay leaves.
- Simmer for 3–4 hours (or 7–8 hours in a slow cooker) until the meat is tender and falls apart.
3. Shred the beef
Remove the beef and shred it with two forks.
4. Assemble the tacos
- Dip each tortilla lightly into the birria broth.
- Fry the tortilla in a hot pan.
- Add shredded beef and cheese.
- Fold and fry until crispy.
5. Serve
Top with:
- Chopped cilantro
- Onion
- Lime juice
Serve with a small bowl of the birria broth for dipping — this is what makes it EXTRA delicious! 🤤
⭐ Why Birria Tacos Were Trending in 2026
- Perfect comfort food for winter
- Viral on TikTok, Instagram & YouTube
- So easy to make in a slow cooker
- Rich, spicy, juicy and highly addictive