Birria tacos variations have grown in popularity as this once-traditional Mexican dish continues to evolve across kitchens, food trucks, and home cooking spaces. While classic birria is deeply rooted in slow-cooked meat, rich consommé, and corn tortillas, modern versions introduce new proteins and styles without losing the soul of the dish.
Today, beef birria tacos and chicken birria tacos are the most popular adaptations, largely because they’re more accessible and quicker to prepare than the original goat-based recipe. That said, the core flavors—dried chiles, warm spices, and deeply seasoned broth—remain the foundation of every variation.
These birria tacos variations aren’t meant to replace the traditional version. Instead, they offer flexible options that suit different tastes, occasions, and cooking preferences. Whether you’re new to birria or looking to try something different, understanding these variations helps you choose the right style for your table.
Learn more about Birria tacos and how this iconic dish became a modern favorite before exploring the different variations below.
Traditional Birria Tacos vs Modern Variations
Traditional birria tacos come from a time-honored cooking method that focuses on patience, depth of flavor, and simple ingredients. Originally made with goat meat, the dish relies on slow cooking to transform tough cuts into tender, flavorful bites. The meat is simmered in a chile-based broth, often called consommé, infused with spices like cumin, cloves, bay leaves, and oregano. Corn tortillas are lightly dipped in the fat from the broth, then filled with the meat and crisped on a griddle.
Modern birria tacos variations follow this same foundation but adapt it to fit today’s kitchens and preferences. While the cooking technique stays largely the same—slow braising, shredding the meat, and serving with consommé—the ingredients often change. Beef and chicken have become popular substitutes, and spice levels are sometimes adjusted to appeal to a wider audience.
It’s important to note that modern variations don’t replace the traditional version. Instead, they build on it. The core method, flavors, and serving style remain intact, while the choice of protein or presentation evolves. This flexibility is what allows birria tacos to feel both authentic and approachable, no matter which variation you choose.
Beef Birria Tacos
Beef birria tacos are the most common modern variation and, for many people, the first introduction to birria. Beef is widely available, affordable, and well suited to long, slow cooking, which makes it a natural alternative to the original goat-based recipe. Because of this, beef birria tacos have become the standard option in restaurants and home kitchens across the U.S.
Popular beef cuts for birria include chuck roast, short ribs, brisket, and beef shank. These cuts contain enough fat and connective tissue to break down during cooking, resulting in meat that’s tender, juicy, and easy to shred. When simmered in a rich chile sauce, beef absorbs the spices deeply, creating a bold and savory flavor profile.
Compared to traditional goat birria, beef birria tacos are slightly milder and richer. The texture is softer, and the flavor leans more toward hearty and comforting rather than gamey. This makes beef birria an ideal choice for first-time birria eaters or for serving a crowd with varied tastes.
If you’re looking to try this version at home, check out the Authentic birria tacos recipe to see how beef is prepared using classic techniques while staying true to traditional flavors.
Chicken Birria Tacos
Chicken birria tacos have become a popular variation for those who want a lighter take on this traditionally rich dish. While chicken isn’t part of the original birria recipe, it works surprisingly well with the bold chile-based sauce and warming spices that define birria tacos variations.
One of the biggest reasons chicken birria tacos are so appealing is the shorter cooking time. Unlike beef or goat, chicken doesn’t need hours of slow braising to become tender. This makes it a practical option for weeknight meals or anyone looking to enjoy birria flavors without a long preparation process.
Flavor-wise, chicken absorbs the birria sauce differently than red meat. Because it has a milder taste, the spices, chiles, and aromatics stand out more clearly. The result is a balanced taco that’s still deeply flavorful but less heavy, making it ideal for people who prefer leaner proteins or lower-fat meals.
Chicken birria tacos are also easier to customize. They pair well with less spicy versions of the consommé and work nicely with simple toppings like onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. For many households, this variation strikes the perfect balance between tradition and convenience.
Other Popular Birria Tacos Variations
Beyond beef and chicken, several other birria tacos variations highlight how flexible this dish can be while still respecting its roots. These options are less common but remain popular among traditionalists and adventurous eaters.
Goat birria is the original version and has the strongest connection to birria’s heritage. It delivers a deeper, slightly gamey flavor that pairs perfectly with the rich consommé. While it requires longer cooking and may not be as easy to find, many consider it the most authentic expression of birria tacos.
Lamb birria is another traditional-style alternative. It’s milder than goat but richer than beef, offering a tender texture and complex flavor. Lamb works especially well for special occasions when you want something familiar yet distinctive.
Some cooks prefer less spicy birria tacos variations, especially for family meals. In these versions, the number of dried chiles is reduced, or milder chiles are used, while keeping the same cooking method. This allows the savory notes of the meat and broth to shine without overwhelming heat.
Street-style birria tacos focus on simplicity and texture. These tacos are usually smaller, crispier, and served with minimal toppings. The emphasis is on the contrast between the crunchy tortilla, juicy meat, and warm consommé on the side.
Each of these variations keeps the same foundation—slow-cooked meat, seasoned broth, and corn tortillas—while offering a different experience depending on flavor preference and occasion.
Birria Tacos vs Quesabirria Variations
One of the most talked-about birria tacos variations is quesabirria, a style that adds melted cheese to the classic formula. While traditional birria tacos focus on meat and consommé, quesabirria brings a rich, cheesy element that changes both the texture and flavor.
Quesabirria is made by placing cheese—usually Oaxaca or mozzarella-style cheese—directly onto the tortilla before adding the shredded birria meat. The tortilla is then folded and cooked until crispy, creating a golden, cheesy exterior with a soft, flavorful center. It’s still served with consommé for dipping, but the cheese becomes a major part of the experience.
Cheese-focused birria tacos variations tend to be more indulgent and filling. They’re especially popular as street food or party dishes, where bold flavors and visual appeal matter. However, some purists prefer the cleaner taste of traditional birria tacos without cheese.
Quesabirria gained massive popularity online thanks to social media videos showcasing the dramatic cheese pull and dipping action. This exposure helped introduce birria tacos to a wider audience and cemented quesabirria as a modern favorite, even though it’s a relatively recent adaptation.
Which Birria Tacos Variation Is Best?
Choosing the best option among birria tacos variations depends largely on personal preference. Each version offers a slightly different experience, even though they all share the same core flavors and cooking method.
If you enjoy rich, hearty meals with deep flavor, beef birria tacos are often the top choice. They’re filling, bold, and closely resemble the texture and richness of traditional birria. On the other hand, chicken birria tacos are better suited for those who want something lighter but still full of flavor. They’re less greasy, quicker to prepare, and easier to customize.
For a more traditional experience, goat or lamb birria provides a deeper, more complex taste that reflects the dish’s origins. Meanwhile, quesabirria appeals to anyone who loves cheese and crispy textures, especially when served fresh off the griddle.
Ultimately, there’s no single “best” variation. The right choice depends on how rich you want the tacos to be, how much time you have to cook, and whether you prefer classic flavors or modern twists.
When to Choose Each Variation
Different birria tacos variations work better for different situations, which is part of what makes this dish so versatile. Choosing the right version often depends on the occasion, the people you’re serving, and how much time you have to cook.
For family meals, chicken birria tacos are a practical option. They cook faster, are lighter, and can easily be made less spicy for kids or sensitive palates. Beef birria tacos also work well for family dinners, especially when you want something comforting and filling.
At parties and gatherings, beef birria tacos or quesabirria variations tend to be crowd-pleasers. Their rich flavor and crispy texture make them ideal for serving a group, and they hold up well when cooked in larger batches. Street-style birria tacos are also a great choice for casual events, offering smaller portions that are easy to eat.
For a first-time birria tacos experience, beef birria is usually the safest place to start. It delivers the signature flavors without being too intense, helping newcomers understand why birria tacos variations are so popular before exploring more traditional or spicy options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are chicken birria tacos authentic?
Chicken birria tacos aren’t part of the original birria tradition, which was made with goat meat. However, they’re widely accepted as a modern adaptation. As long as the cooking method and chile-based consommé are respected, chicken birria tacos fit naturally within today’s birria tacos variations.
Which birria tacos variation is the most popular?
Beef birria tacos are currently the most popular variation, especially in the U.S. Beef is easy to find, works well with slow cooking, and delivers rich flavor. Quesabirria has also gained massive popularity due to social media, making it a close second.
Can birria tacos be made less spicy?
Yes, birria tacos variations can easily be made less spicy. Using fewer dried chiles, choosing milder chiles, or removing seeds allows you to control the heat while keeping the signature birria flavor intact.
Conclusion
Birria tacos variations show just how adaptable this classic dish has become over time. From traditional goat birria to modern favorites like beef, chicken, and quesabirria, each version builds on the same foundation of slow-cooked meat, richly seasoned consommé, and corn tortillas.
While the ingredients and styles may change, the heart of birria tacos remains the same. These variations aren’t meant to compete with the original recipe but to make birria more accessible for different tastes, occasions, and cooking styles.
If you’re new to birria, starting with a classic preparation is always a smart move. Don’t miss How to make authentic birria tacos to learn the traditional method before exploring your favorite variations.