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Crispy Braised Chipotle Beef Tacos Recipe

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4 from 13 reviews

These Crispy Braised Chipotle Beef Tacos feature tender, slow-braised beef chuck cooked in a smoky, spicy chipotle adobo sauce. After a long, slow braise, the beef is shredded and layered into corn tortillas that are dipped in the flavorful sauce and fried until crispy. Topped with melted cheese, fresh cilantro, jalapeño salad, and creamy avocado crema, these tacos balance deep smoky heat with fresh, zesty notes for an irresistible meal perfect for gatherings or a comforting dinner.

Ingredients

Beef and Braising Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 3-4 pieces
  • Avocado oil, for cooking
  • Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 can chipotle peppers in adobo
  • 1/2 cup canned crushed tomatoes
  • 6 cloves garlic, smashed or grated
  • 1 yellow onion, quartered
  • 1 tablespoon ancho chile powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/2 cinnamon stick (or 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

Additional Ingredients for Serving and Toppings

  • 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 jalapeño, chopped
  • 1/4 cup chopped onion
  • Limes
  • Corn tortillas
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese
  • Avocado cream, for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Sear Beef: Preheat your oven to 300°F. Season the beef chuck all over with kosher salt and black pepper. Heat a drizzle of avocado oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and sear the beef pieces for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Then, turn the heat off.
  2. Prepare the Sauce: In a blender, combine the chipotle peppers in adobo, crushed tomatoes, garlic, quartered onion, ancho chile powder, dried Mexican oregano, ground cumin, smoked paprika, ground cloves, bay leaves, 2 teaspoons salt, and apple cider vinegar. Add 1 cup of water and blend until smooth. Pour this sauce over the seared beef in the Dutch oven. Add 2 cups of water and the cinnamon stick to the pot.
  3. Braise the Beef: Place the pot over medium heat and bring the sauce to a simmer. Once simmering, cover the Dutch oven and transfer it to the preheated oven. Cook the beef for about 3 hours, or until the meat is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
  4. Make the Fresh Topping: While the beef cooks, stir together the chopped cilantro, chopped jalapeño, chopped onion, a squeeze of fresh lime juice, and a pinch of salt to create a bright, fresh topping for the tacos.
  5. Shred Beef and Separate Sauce: Remove the cinnamon stick from the pot. Take the cooked beef out and shred it using two forks. Pour the sauce into a shallow bowl and allow the fat to rise and settle on top to help with frying the tortillas later.
  6. Assemble and Crisp Tacos: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Dip each corn tortilla briefly into the sauce, making sure the fatty top layer coats the tortilla side that will touch the skillet. Place the sauced side down in the skillet. On one half of the tortilla, layer shredded cheese and the shredded beef, then fold the tortilla over. Cook the taco about 1-2 minutes per side until the tortilla is slightly fried and crispy, and the cheese melted.
  7. Serve: Serve the crispy braised chipotle beef tacos topped with the fresh cilantro-jalapeño mixture, additional spoonfuls of red sauce if desired, and avocado cream for a creamy finish.

Notes

  • You can substitute beef chuck with brisket or short ribs for different textures.
  • Adjust the amount of chipotle peppers in adobo to control the spice level.
  • To save time, you can cook the beef in a slow cooker or instant pot as described.
  • Use fresh corn tortillas for best results when frying to get crispy yet pliable tacos.
  • Avocado cream adds a cooling contrast to the spicy beef and can be made by blending avocado with lime juice and sour cream or Greek yogurt.
  • Leftover braised beef can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.

Find it online: https://glowcooks.com/crispy-braised-chipotle-beef-tacos-recipe/