Beer Braised Beef Tacos

Sam Robertson
One of my absolute favorite meals to make for big groups! Some simple prep and a few hours of cooking leads to the most delicious taco meat around. No fancy toppings needed, just a little Boulder Hot Sauce and you've got yourself one hell of a taco!

Beer Braised Beef Tacos

Sam Robertson

Servings

12-24

Prep Time

1 hours

Cook Time

8 hours

Cuisine

Mexican

Category

Beef Tacos

Through many variations of trial and error, I have landed on this particular method when I want to make absolutely outstanding tacos! This recipe is simply a framework for you to add your favorite flavors and impress everyone at the table. Braised Beef has never been so simple, but yet, so delicious. Remember, patience is a virtue!

Beer Braised Beef Tacos

Ingredients

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    • 5 lbs Chuck Roast

    • 2 lbs Oxtail or Short Rib (Optional)

    • 3-4 Lager Beers

    • Your favorite melty cheese (I love Oaxaca)

    • 6 dried Guajillo Chiles

    • 10 dried Arbol Chiles (depending upon your spice level)

    • 5 Garlic Cloves

    • 1 Yellow Onion

    • 2 Cinnamon Sticks

    • 3 Bay Leaves

    • 1 Tbsp Cumin

    • Salt to Taste

    • Whatever other spices you love!

    • 24 Corn Tortillas

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    • 3 Ripe Tomatoes

    • ½ Yellow Onion

    • 3 cloves Garlic

    • 4 Jalapeños

    • 1 bunch Cilantro

    • 2 Limes

    • 2 Tbsp Extra Virgen Olive Oil

    • 2 Tbsp Harry’s Habanero

    • Salt to Taste

    Directions

    1. Slice Chuck Roast into even cubes, about 2 inches thick. Salt at least two sides of each cube, as well as Oxtail or Short Rib if added.

    2. Julienne yellow onion, peel garlic, and break off stems of dried chiles (remove seeds if you’d like less spice).

    3. Heat 1 Tbsp of High Heat Oil over medium-high heat in a large pot or dutch oven, and sear the 2 sides of each cube until you get a beautiful golden brown crust.

    4. Using the same pot or dutch oven, immediately toss in your onion after removing beef. Use a wooden spatula to scrape up all the delicious fond from the bottom of the pot, giving the onion a caramel brown color.

    5. Add your Chiles, Cinnamon, Bay Leaves, Cumin, and whatever other flavors or spices you choose. Toast until fragrant, 2-3 mins.

    6. Add your beef back to the pot, and pour in your beers. If necessary, add water until beef is just barely covered.

    7. Give everything a quick stir and lower the heat to a light simmer. Simmer for 6-8 hours, stirring occasionally, until beef is super tender.

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    1. At around the 4 hour mark, remove all of the chiles and onion from the pot. Combine with 1-2 cups of braising liquid in a blender and blend until smooth.

    2. Add blended chiles and onion back to the pot and finish cooking. Doing this you will avoid having to pick out the chiles when serving.

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    1. Slice Tomatoes in half, onion into quarters, and jalapeños in half lengthwise.

    2. Heat 2 Tbsp Oil over medium-high heat in a skillet and brown tomatoes, onion, jalapeños, and garlic. Alternatively, char everything over a grill.

    3. Add the charred veggies, cilantro, lime, olive oil, Harry’s Habanero and salt to a blender and blend to your desired smoothness. You may have to do this in batches depending upon the size of your blender.

    4. Transfer to a bowl and serve. Don’t forget to taste for salt and lime levels first!

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    1. Heat a tiny bit of oil over medium-high heat on a skillet. Place your tortilla down and very slightly brown one side before flipping. Lay your cheese down on one half of the tortilla, and then top with your delicious braised beef.

    2. Allow the tortilla to brown up, and cheese to melt, then fold your tortilla in half like a quesadilla and transfer to a plate. Serve these family style with a big bowl of Roasted Jalapeño Salsa and listen to the silence of the room as everyone digs in!

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