Ree Drummond, the beloved “Pioneer Woman,” is known for her approachable and flavorful recipes that resonate with home cooks. When the Birria Tacos craze exploded on platforms like TikTok, it was only natural for Drummond to put her own spin on this increasingly popular dish. While the ingredient list might seem extensive and the cooking process requires a bit of time, Drummond’s Birria Tacos recipe delivers incredibly delicious, mouthwatering results that are worth every step.
Ree Drummond during an appearance on the
The Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond on the Food Network show, showcasing her culinary expertise.
The Birria Taco Phenomenon and Ree Drummond’s Recipe
Over the past few years, images and videos of “Tacos de Birria” have flooded social media, turning this regional Mexican specialty into a nationwide food trend. The demand for Birria Tacos surged, prompting Mexican restaurants across the country to add them to their menus. As Alfredo Torres of La Flor de Izucar Café in New York City explained to Eater New York, the decision to make birria was driven by popular demand.
Recognizing this widespread culinary interest, Ree Drummond embraced the Birria Taco trend and decided to share her own home-style recipe. Drummond’s version allows fans to recreate this restaurant-quality dish in their own kitchens, bringing the authentic flavors of Birria Tacos to a wider audience.
Unpacking Birria Tacos: A Flavorful Mexican Delight
Birria Tacos, also known as “Tacos de Birria” or “Birria de Res,” are a true testament to slow-cooked, rich flavors. At their heart is a savory and slightly sweet Mexican beef stew, simmered for hours until the beef becomes incredibly tender and juicy, practically falling apart. This flavorful stew then takes center stage as tortillas are dipped directly into the stew, absorbing its essence, before being griddled to crispy perfection.
Originating from the western Mexican state of Jalisco, traditional Birria Tacos are often made with goat meat. However, the dish evolved as it traveled north to Tijuana. There, a culinary innovation emerged: dipping the tortillas in the rendered beef fat from the stew before grilling, adding an extra layer of richness and flavor to the tacos.
Pioneer Woman’s Birria Taco Recipe: Ingredients Breakdown
Ree Drummond’s Birria Taco recipe, available on Food Network, is designed to be approachable for home cooks, even with its seemingly lengthy ingredient list. While it does require a dedicated afternoon in the kitchen, the steps are straightforward, and the payoff is immense. The foundation of Drummond’s recipe is built upon flavorful beef chuck roast, simmered in beef broth, vegetable oil, and a touch of apple cider vinegar, all enhanced by a symphony of seasonings.
For the authentic Birria flavor profile, Drummond utilizes a variety of dried chiles: ancho, New Mexico, and chile de arbol, all stemmed and deseeded. The recipe also calls for Roma tomatoes, white onion, garlic, and essential seasonings like Kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, coriander, cumin, oregano, cinnamon sticks, and dried bay leaves. This blend of spices and chiles creates the signature depth and warmth of Birria.
Crafting Pioneer Woman Birria Tacos: Step-by-Step Cooking Guide
To begin Drummond’s Birria Taco recipe, you’ll start by building the flavorful braising liquid. Combine the dried chiles, Roma tomatoes, white onion, garlic, and beef broth in a large pot. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat and let it cook for 12 to 14 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the chiles to soften. While the sauce base simmers, prepare the beef chuck roast by generously seasoning it with salt and pepper. In a Dutch oven, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat and sear the seasoned chuck roast on all sides until nicely browned. Searing the beef adds a crucial layer of flavor and texture to the final dish. Once browned, remove the beef from the Dutch oven and set aside.
Now it’s time to create the smooth Birria sauce. Using an immersion blender, carefully blend the simmering chile and tomato mixture directly in the pot until you achieve a smooth consistency. Pour the blended sauce into the Dutch oven, scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Return the seared beef and any accumulated juices back to the Dutch oven. Add apple cider vinegar, coriander, cumin, oregano, cinnamon sticks, and bay leaves to the pot, further enhancing the Birria’s complex flavor profile. Cover the Dutch oven and transfer it to a preheated oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the beef braise in the oven for approximately three hours, or until it becomes incredibly tender and easily shreds with a fork. Once the beef is cooked to perfection, remove it from the Dutch oven and transfer it to a bowl. Shred the beef using two forks, and set aside.
Assembling and Serving Pioneer Woman Birria Tacos
For the final taco assembly, Ree Drummond recommends using corn tortillas, shredded mozzarella cheese, diced onion, fresh cilantro, and limes. The magic of Birria Tacos truly comes together during this stage. Begin by dipping a corn tortilla into the warm and flavorful braising liquid from the Dutch oven, ensuring it’s nicely coated. Immediately place the dipped tortilla onto a griddle heated over medium heat.
Ree Drummond sharing her grilling tips, an example of her expertise in home cooking techniques.
Top the tortilla with a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese, followed by heaping spoonfuls of the shredded Birria beef, diced onion, and fresh cilantro. Fold the tortilla in half to enclose the filling, creating the taco shape. Cook each side of the taco on the griddle until it turns golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and gooey. Finally, squeeze fresh lime juice over the crispy Birria Tacos just before serving. Drummond suggests serving the tacos with the remaining braising liquid on the side for dipping, enhancing the overall experience and allowing for extra flavor indulgence.
Ree Drummond’s Birria Tacos recipe offers a fantastic way to experience this popular Mexican dish at home. With its rich, savory flavors and satisfyingly crispy tortillas, it’s a recipe that’s sure to impress and become a new favorite. You can catch “The Pioneer Woman” on Saturdays on the Food Network for more delicious recipes and cooking inspiration.
