Reddit has been awash with people posting their Birria tacos of late, and some have looked just awesome.

https://www.reddit.com/search?q=birria&restrict_sr=&sort=relevance&t=all

So I decided to give it a go.

I mostly followed this recipe, but did it in a dutch oven instead of the Instant Pot (I had the time, and I think it seems a more reliable way to braise):

https://www.feastingathome.com/birria-recipe/

although I looked at quite a few others, such as:

https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/mexican-braised-lamb-birrieria

I used 3 dried guajillo chile, which was just the right amount. A tiny touch of heat, which G didn’t comment on until I asked him. I’m glad he’s getting to used to a touch of spice now.

I made a version of the avocado salsa shown, which was described as:

" Just tomatillo, avocado, olive oil, salt, lime, coriander and a couple jalapenos. "

by the OP on the pictures post on reddit here: https://www.reddit.com/r/food/comments/jwfzpl/prochef_birria_tacos/gcpzkuy/

I then put out the avocado salsa, a bowl of coriander, cut up a lime and put it on the table, some pickled shallots, and a small bowl each of the stew after setting aside the meat.

I then did the whole dip the tortillas, fry them, throw on some cheese, put on some meat, fold them and serve, applying all the garnishes as needed.

It was really great. A lovely balance of flavours once you have something to cut through the richness of the flavourful stew (which the lime, salsa, onion, coriander do well!).

Everyone liked it! :)

While there are a few steps, it actually wasn’t that hard, and would get easier with a little practice. The kind of meal to impress people with!