Mexican Shredded Beef Tacos in Guajillo Sauce | Mexican Recipes (2024)

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Warm tortillas filled with soft potatoes and spicy shredded beef make for the best shredded beef tacos. They are the perfect quick lunch or dinner idea for yourself or an entire family.

Mexican Shredded Beef Tacos in Guajillo Sauce | Mexican Recipes (1)
In This Post
  • Why You'll Love These Shredded Beef Tacos
  • 🌎 History of Shredded Beef Tacos
  • 🙋‍♀️ FAQ
  • 📋 Ingredients
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 🍽 Side Dishes
  • 📚 More Authentic Mexican Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

Mexican Shredded Beef Tacos in Guajillo Sauce | Mexican Recipes (2)Why You'll Love These Shredded Beef Tacos

If you are looking for a quick and easy recipe to get you out of a cooking slump, then I found the perfect one for you! The beef is seasoned perfectly and falls apart on the fork. It's all topped with the perfect blend of authentic Mexican spices and wrapped in a portable (and delicious) tortilla.

These shredded beef tacos are super easy to customize. You can add anything you want to them, but I highly suggest you give the potatoes a try! They melt in my mouth and fill me up. They are the perfect thing to add to your beef tacos.

🌎 History of Shredded Beef Tacos

Shredded beef cooked in a dried pepper sauce is one of the many common fillings for the popular “Tacos Mañaneros” (morning tacos) and “Tacos de Canasta” (basket tacos).

The type of peppers and spices used differ from state to state and region to region. The tacos are served warm with salsa verde and pickled jalapeño peppers and, in some states, topped with shredded cabbage or lettuce.

This recipe is inspired by one of my aunts. I remember how she would make flour tortilla tacos with this meat and serve them for breakfast for me and my cousins. These memories come back to me every time I prepare this recipe.

Even though this dish contains Guajillo peppers, it is not that spicy since the Guajillo peppers are mild, even more so when the tomato is added to the sauce. This makes it an enjoyable dish for kids, too).

🙋‍♀️ FAQ

Before I share my taco recipe, here are a few questions I've been asked about homemade shredded beef tacos.

What are the best toppings for beef tacos?

This is the fun part about tacos - you can add just about anything you want to your shredded beef taco. For a healthier version, leave out the potatoes and add some guacamole, shredded lettuce, and some fresh tomatoes.

Some people like to add cilantro lime rice to their tacos, or they just serve it on the side.

For some color and crunch, sprinkle a handful of corn kernels on top. Finally, if you like cilantro, add a few sprigs to the tacos too.

Can I use ground beef instead of shredded beef?

Yes, you can certainly use ground beef instead of shredded beef if that's what you prefer. However, I think the flavor and texture is much better with shredded beef.

What is the best sauce to serve beef tacos with?

Any type of sauce will taste delicious with these tacos. Add your favorite homemade salsa to the table, and then dip your tacos into it.

📋 Ingredients

These Mexican beef tacos are very delicious, with wholesome ingredients and traditional Mexican spices.

Here is the list of ingredients you will need:

  • HERDEZ Guajillo Cooking Sauce
  • Garlic
  • Skirt steak
  • Onion
  • Bay leaves
  • Tomato
  • Ground cumin
  • Dried Mexican oregano
  • Vegetable oil
  • Potato
  • Salt and pepper
  • Corn tortillas

Please note:For exact measurements of the ingredients listed above, scroll down to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post!

JUMP TO FULL INSTRUCTIONS

🔪 Instructions

To make things easier for you, I am going to break down the directions to make shredded beef tacos into sections.

Mexican Shredded Beef Tacos in Guajillo Sauce | Mexican Recipes (3)

Make the shredded beef

  • Cover the beef, onion, and a bay leaf with water in a large stockpot. Cook until the meat can be easily shredded with a fork. Once the meat is tender, remove it all from the pot and shred finely.
  • This method takes about an hour and a half, or alternatively 35 minutes in a pressure cooker.
Mexican Shredded Beef Tacos in Guajillo Sauce | Mexican Recipes (4)

Make the sauce

  • Place a cup of the Guajillo sauce, chopped tomatoes, a clove of garlic, bay leaves, cumin, and oregano into a blender. Then, blend until you have a smooth sauce and set aside.
  • Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat; add the guajillo sauce from the blender and the rest of the Herdez cooking sauce.
Mexican Shredded Beef Tacos in Guajillo Sauce | Mexican Recipes (5)

Simmer the meat and fill the tacos

  • Add the shredded meat and the cooked potatoes, and season with salt. Keep cooking for about 15-18 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
  • Warm the tortillas and form the taquitos by placing some filling in the center of each tortilla and fold or roll. Garnish with a side of lettuce, tomato slices, and crumbled cheese.

🍽 Side Dishes

These shredded beef tacos taste amazing with all of your favorite taco garnishes. Add some fresh cilantro, a dab of sour cream, or some hot sauce.

Then, serve them with your favorite Mexican side dishes. Start out with some Mexican Black Bean Soup With Chorizo, and then add some Hearts of Palm Salad on the side for a burst of fresh flavors.

Mexican Shredded Beef Tacos in Guajillo Sauce | Mexican Recipes (6)

📚 More Authentic Mexican Recipes

If you enjoyed this recipe for Mexican shredded beef tacos, take a look at some of these other authentic Mexican recipes:

  • Beef Birria Recipe
  • Mexican Rice Pudding
  • Beef In Tomato Sauce With Swiss Chard
  • Mexican Lentil Soup
  • Red Wine Beef Stew

I hope you make this beef taco recipe! If this recipe was of any help to you, come back to let me know your experience. Please leave us a comment down below and tell us all about it!

¡Buen provecho!

Mely

📖 Recipe

Mexican Shredded Beef Tacos in Guajillo Sauce | Mexican Recipes (7)

Shredded Beef Tacos

Mely Martínez

Shredded beef Tacos cooked in a dried pepper sauce is one of the many common fillings for the popular “Tacos Mañaneros” (morning tacos) and “Tacos de Canasta” (basket tacos). The type of peppers and spices used differ from state to state and region to region.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Course Tacos

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 6

Calories 252 kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 cups of HERDEZ Guajillo Cooking Sauce
  • 1 garlic clove peeled
  • 1 ½ lb. skirt steak cubed
  • medium onion
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 large tomato chopped
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 large potato cooked and cut into cubes*
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 12 corn tortillas or 12 small flour tortillas

Instructions

  • Cook the meat with onion and 1 bay leaf in a large stock pot covered with water until meat is tender and can be shredded easily. About 1 ½ hour or 35 minutes in a pressure cooker.

  • Place 1 cup of the Guajillo sauce, chopped tomato, garlic clove, bay leaves, cumin and oregano into the blender, process until you have a smooth sauce. Set aside.

  • Once meat is tender, remove it from the pot and shred finely.

  • Heat the oil in a skillet over a medium heat; add the guajillo sauce from the blender and the rest of the Herdez cooking sauce.

  • Add the shredded meat and the cooked potatoes, season with salt. Keep cooking for about 15-18 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.

  • Warm the tortillas and form the taquitos, placing some of the fillings in the center of each tortilla and fold or roll. Garnish with a side of lettuce, tomato slices and crumbled cheese.

Notes

  • Potatoes are optional.
  • You can use pork shoulder instead of beef.
  • If you prefer to make your own guajillo salsa, roast the peppers, and then soak for 20 minutes in water before you process them in the blender.

Nutrition

Calories: 252kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 27gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 722mgPotassium: 941mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 710IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 38mgIron: 5mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Mexican Shredded Beef Tacos in Guajillo Sauce | Mexican Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is guajillo sauce made of? ›

✔️ Ingredients for Guajillo Salsa

Guajillos chiles – This chili is the star of the salsa! Arbol chiles – Adding a few for a little kick since guajillo peppers tend to be on the milder side. Garlic cloves – A must for a good cooked salsa should have garlic! Onion – It gives so much flavor!

How much shredded beef per person for tacos? ›

If you have a group of big eaters, adults or teenagers, plan on ⅓ lb of raw meat per person. Or, if you have a mix of kids and adults, you can plan on ¼ pound of raw meat per person - especially if you plan to serve rice and beans with your tacos.

What are the most popular taco toppings? ›

Classic Taco Toppings

If you want truly an authentic experience, you want to provide your guests with options like refried beans, salsa made from tomatoes, onion, and cilantro, guacamole, pico de gallo, rice, and hot sauce. Cheese is an important part of Mexican food.

What does guajillo sauce taste like? ›

Like the peppers that it is named after, guajillo sauce is rich and smoky, with hints of fruitiness. It is slightly sweet and pungent, with notes of earthiness. It can also be a little bitter, especially if the peppers are toasted too long or too much of the soaking water is used to thin the sauce.

What does guajillo taste like? ›

Guajillo chiles taste fruity with a sweet heat. They are tannic with pine, have hints of tart berries hints and offer light, smoky undertones. Guajillo chiles are left on the plant to ripen before being harvested entirely.

What is the best sauce for tacos? ›

Cilantro Lime- Cilantro Lime Sauce is fresh, vibrant, full of flavor. That is why it is one of the best sauces for all your tacos! It is made from sour cream, mayonnaise, cilantro, jalapeños, garlic, lime juice, and salt.

What makes tacos taste better? ›

Not enough people use cilantro. Iceberg lettuce can be refreshing in a burrito, but when it comes to tacos, cilantro, onion and lime are king. I know Tex-Mex enthusiasts love their dairy on a taco. Big pinches of cheddar cheese that lack flavor or the ability to melt.

How many tacos will 1lb of meat make? ›

How much ground beef per taco? Each taco shell or small soft taco-size tortilla fits about 2 ounces or 1/4 cup of meat. If you add diced onions, you could stretch a pound of ground beef to make about a dozen tacos. With just the meat and spices, you can make about 8 tacos from a pound of meat.

How many people will 5 pounds of shredded beef feed? ›

Adults. In general, each pound of BBQ feeds 3 to 4 people, especially if you're serving sides. You can expect most adult guests to eat ¼ to ⅓ pounds of meat each during your event. Adults will likely be drinking, grazing on snacks, and filling up on sides, too.

What to eat with tacos as a side? ›

10 Flavorful Sides to Go with a Taco Bar
  • Refried Beans. Refried beans, or "frijoles refritos," have been a staple in Mexican cuisine for centuries. ...
  • Traditional Mexican Rice. ...
  • Taco Slaw. ...
  • Seven-Layer Dip. ...
  • Mexican Street Corn Salad. ...
  • Zesty Black Bean Salad. ...
  • Grilled Corn on the Cob. ...
  • Jalapeño Poppers.
Jul 11, 2023

What is the most important ingredient in tacos? ›

Salsa: Salsa and sauces are the soul of your taco, tying all other ingredients together. A tangy pico de gallo complements almost everything. Want to try something different? Go for a mango salsa which harmonises incredibly with fish tacos.

What is a substitute for guajillo pepper sauce? ›

When it comes to a guajillo chile substitute, ancho chiles are one of the better options. Ancho peppers are another popular option in Mexican cooking, so it's a natural choice for a substitution. Ancho chiles have a rich flavor that will add depth to any recipe with a similar earthy flavor and a hint less spiciness.

Is guajillo spicy? ›

The guajillo pepper is the dried form of the mirasol pepper. It has a complex fruity and smoky flavor, smooth leathery skin and medium spiciness, ranging from 2,500 to 5,000 Scoville Heat Units, which makes it usually spicier than a poblano but more mild than a jalapeño.

Are guajillo peppers very hot? ›

Typically, guajillo peppers are considered a low to medium heat pepper. They range anywhere from 2,500 to 5,000 Scoville heat units (SHU) and are typically bred to be sweet rather than spicy. You can compare this range to that of another typical pepper, the jalapeño, for reference.

Is guajillo spicier than chipotle? ›

They have a different level of spiciness and depending on that, they are used for specific dishes, for instance, to make our amazing pozole recipe, we used guajillo, which is a long ruby red chilli that is not very spicy, it is used, mainly to give flavour and colour to food, then to make our creamy chipotle enchiladas ...

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