Cola Shredded Beef Tacos Recipe

Name: Cola Shredded Beef Tacos
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 3 medium dried ancho chiles; 2 large dried guajillo chilies; 2 tablespoons canola oil (divided); 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion; 2 large garlic cloves, sliced; 1/2 teaspoon cumin seed; 1 cup canned diced tomato (I save the remainder from the 14 oz. can to make rice); 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano; 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided (if using table salt, use half as much); 2 -3 lbs chuck roast, cut into 4 pieces; 1 dried bay leaf; 1 1/2 cups cola (Mexican preferred-NOT diet); 12 -24 warm corn tortillas (6-in. size, use 24 if they're thin and floppy); chopped avocados, red onion, and cilantro, thinly sliced pickled jalapenos, and crema Mexicana* or regular sour cream

Servings: persons

3 medium dried ancho chiles
2 large dried guajillo chilies
2 tablespoons canola oil (divided)
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
2 large garlic cloves, sliced
1/2 teaspoon cumin seed
1 cup canned diced tomato (I save the remainder from the 14 oz. can to make rice)
1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided (if using table salt, use half as much)
2 -3 lbs chuck roast, cut into 4 pieces
1 dried bay leaf
1 1/2 cups cola (Mexican preferred-NOT diet)
12 -24 warm corn tortillas (6-in. size, use 24 if they're thin and floppy)
chopped avocados, red onion, and cilantro, thinly sliced pickled jalapenos, and crema Mexicana* or regular sour cream

1
Make sauce for beef: Wipe chiles clean with a damp cloth, stem and seed, and tear into pieces. Heat 1 tablespoons oil in a heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic until softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Add chiles and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups water, the cumin, tomatoes, oregano, and 1 teaspoons salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, until chiles are softened, about 10 minutes. Puree sauce in a blender until very smooth. (I forgot to blend my sauce, and my meat still came out wonderful although there were large pieces of chile in the sauce).
2
Meanwhile, season beef with the remaining teaspoons salt. Heat the remaining tablespoons oil in a 5- to 6-qt. pot over medium-high heat. Brown beef, turning occasionally, 10 to 14 minutes. Discard fat, if any.
3
Pour sauce into pot and add bay leaf, cola, and a little water if needed to barely cover meat. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer until beef is very tender, 3 hours.
4
With a slotted spoon, transfer beef to a plate. Let cool slightly, then tear into shreds, discarding any fat or gristle. Meanwhile, boil sauce over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and reduced to about 3 cups, 10 to 30 minutes. Stir in beef and heat a few minutes until hot. Remove bay leaf.
5
Make tacos: With a slotted spoon, transfer beef with some sauce to a bowl. Spoon beef into tortillas (double tortillas if they're thin), tuck in accompaniments, and serve with remaining sauce if you like.
6
Make ahead: Through step 3; chill, covered, up to 2 days.

421

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Coconut cream is a reliable plant-based alternative to dairy cream.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

Saved locally in your browser — visible only to you.

How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 14 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 3 medium dried ancho chiles, 2 large dried guajillo chilies, 2 tablespoons canola oil (divided), 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, and more.

Yes, Cola Shredded Beef Tacos falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Cola Shredded Beef Tacos

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions