Step 1

In a slow cooker add water, beef chunks (cut into 4-inch cubes), onion, garlic, salt, black peppercorns, bay leaves, oregano, marjoram, mint, and thyme (if using).

Step 2

Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.

Step 3

Remove the beef and shred the meat and discard fat pieces. Season to taste. Place shredded meat back in the slow cooker with beef broth liquid.

Step 4

Remove stems, seeds, and veins from the chile pods. Place in a colander and rinse well with cool water.

Step 5

Add chiles, garlic, onion, and water to a large pot. Bring water to a boil. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes. After 10 minutes turn the chiles over with tongs to make sure the chiles soften evenly. Allow time to cool down before blending. Do not discard water.

Step 6

Once cooled, place the chiles, garlic, onion, and liquid in blender with salt. Blend until smooth. If necessary, season with more salt.

Step 7

Strain red chile sauce through a fine sieve into the slow cooker and stir. This broth is the "consommé". Discard skins and seeds.

Step 8

Serve birria (shredded beef) in a bowl with broth as a stew with diced onion, radishes, and fresh cilantro and serve with corn tortillas.

Step 9

Heat a comal (cast iron griddle) over medium-low heat.

Step 10

Dip the corn tortillas one at a time in the consommé (broth with red chile sauce). Place on the comal and top with cheese if making quesatacos (cheese birria tacos). Add shredded beef over half the tortilla and chopped cilantro and onion. Drizzle the beef with a little more consommé.

Step 11

When the cheese is melted, fold each tortilla in half. Cook, flipping halfway through, until browned and slightly crispy, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.

Step 12

Serve tacos garnished with additional diced onion, cilantro, and lime wedges, and small bowls of warm consommé (beef broth red chile sauce mixture) for dipping.