Quick Birria-Style Pork Tacos with Pico de Gallo and Dipping Broth

These birria-style pork tacos capture all the bold, slow-cooked flavors of traditional birria but in a fraction of the time. Ground pork is quickly simmered in a spiced broth until tender and flavorful, then stuffed into crispy tortillas with gooey melted mozzarella. The result is a taco that’s crunchy, cheesy, and deeply savory.

No taco night is complete without toppings, and this recipe delivers with a fresh homemade pico de gallo, zesty lime wedges, and a warm birria-style broth for dipping. Whether it’s Taco Tuesday or any day of the week, these tacos are sure to become a favorite.

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Ingredients

8 ounce Pulled PorkView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

6 unit Flour TortillasView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Mozzarella CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Smoked PaprikaView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Roma TomatoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 ounce CilantroView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LimeView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Southwest Spice BlendView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Chicken Stock ConcentrateView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Pork Ramen Stock ConcentrateView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 teaspoon Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Wash and dry produce. Finely dice the tomato. Roughly chop the cilantro. Zest half the lime, then cut the lime into wedges. Drain and roughly chop the pulled pork into smaller pieces.
2. Heat a large drizzle of oil in a medium pan over medium-high heat. Add the pork, Southwest Spice, smoked paprika, and ¼ teaspoon salt (½ teaspoon for 4 servings). Cook, stirring, until the pork is warmed through, 2–3 minutes. Stir in the chicken stock concentrate, pork ramen stock concentrate, and ¾ cup water (1½ cups for 4). Bring to a simmer and cook until the broth thickens, 4–5 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pork filling to a medium bowl, leaving the broth behind. Continue cooking the broth until reduced, 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat and cover to keep warm.
3. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the diced tomato, chopped cilantro, lime zest, juice from half the lime (whole lime for 4 servings), and 1 tablespoon olive oil (2 tablespoons for 4). Season with salt and pepper.
4. Place the tortillas on a clean work surface. Sprinkle one half of each tortilla with mozzarella cheese, then top with the pork filling. Fold the tortillas in half to form tacos.
5. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Add the tacos and cook until the tortillas are crispy and golden, 1–2 minutes per side. Work in batches if needed.
6. Divide the birria broth among small serving bowls. If needed, reheat the broth over medium heat before serving. Divide the tacos among plates. Serve with the pico de gallo (drain excess liquid first), remaining lime wedges, and the warm birria broth for dipping.

Useful Cookware

A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.

Zester

Deiss PRO Lemon Zester & Heavy Duty Cheese Grater & Vegetable Grater - Parmesan Cheese Lemon, Garlic, Nutmeg, Chocolate, Fruits, Vegetables, Ginger Grater - Cheese Shredder & Stainless Steel GraterView on AmazonMicroplane Premium Classic Series Zester 18/8, Black - Lemon Zester & Cheese Grater & Vegetable Grater - Citrus, Parmesan Cheese, Garlic, Ginger, Nutmeg, Chocolate - Stainless Steel GraterView on AmazonOXO Good Grips Etched Zester and GraterView on Amazon

Medium Pan

CAROTE Non Stick Frying Pan Skillet, Omelet Pan, Healthy Non Toxic Granite Chef Pan, Induction Compatible Egg Frying Pan with Heat-Resistant Handle, PFOA-Free,Cream White, 8"View on AmazonSENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, Swiss Granite Coating Omelette Pan, Healthy Stone Cookware Chef's Pan, PFOA Free (9.5 Inch)View on AmazonESLITE LIFE Nonstick Ceramic Frying Pan Skillet, Non-Toxic Egg Omelette Kitchen Cooking Pans Compatible with All Stovetops (Gas, Electric & Induction), PTFE & PFOA Free (White, 8'')View on Amazon

Slotted Spoon

Berglander Slotted Spoons for Straining 2 pcs 13", Stainless Steel Kitchen Spider Strainer Skimmer Ladle for Straining Pasta/Cooking/Frying, Metal Kitchen Utensils Pasta SpoonView on AmazonHOTEC 446°F Heat Resistant Large Silicone Cooking Spoon, BPA Free Solid Slotted Spoons, Nonstick Kitchen Cookware Utensils, Mixing, Serving, Stiring Large Spoons, BlackView on AmazonOXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Slotted SpoonView on Amazon

Medium Bowl

DOWAN 22 OZ White Ceramic Bowls Set of 4 - Perfect for Soup Bowls for Kitchen, Cereal Bowl, Ramen Bowl, Microwave Safe for Oatmeal, Fruit,Salad and Rice Bowl - Dishwasher & Microwave SafeView on AmazonMASTERCOOK Plastic Bowls Set of 6 – 15oz Multipurpose Deep Plates Salad and Pasta Bowls Ideal for Home, Kids, Parties – Stackable Bowl for Kitchen – Non-BPA and Food Grade – Cute ColorsView on AmazonMALACASA 26 OZ Porcelain Soup Bowls Set of 4, White Ceramic Bowls for Kitchen, Cereal Bowl for Oatmeal, Fruit, Salad, Ramen and Rice Bowl -Dishwasher & Microwave Safe BowlsView on Amazon

Small Bowl

Kaytee Stoneware Ceramic Pet Hamster Bowl, Brown, 3-InchView on AmazonDipping Bowls, Soy Sauce Dish Ceramic, 3 OZ Small Serving Bowls for Side Dishes Vintage Blue Stylish Design, Set of 6 Mini Appetizer Plates for Condiment Sushi Ketchup BBQ Party, 4 InchView on AmazonFarielyn-X 3.5in 4oz Small Glass Bowls, Mini Glass Containers, Ramekins, Prep, Pinch Bowl, Stackable Condiment Containers, for Prep, Dips, Nuts, Snacks, Candy Meal Prep Bowls, Dessert BowlsView on Amazon

Large Pan

SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet with Lid, 12 Inch Large Deep Frying Pan, 5 Qt Non Stick Saute Pan with Cover, Induction Pan, Healthy Non Toxic Cooking Pan with Helper Handle, PFOA PFOS FreeView on AmazonFarberware Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Jumbo Cooker Chef's Pan with Lid and Helper Handle, Kitchen Cookware, 6-Quart, BlackView on AmazonSNOWCLAD Frying Pans Nonstick with Lid,Hybrid Non Stick 5 Quart Saute pan,PFOA Free Cookware,Stainless Steel skillet,12 inch Deep Saute Pan,Dishwasher&Oven Safe,Works on All CooktopsView on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour?

Yes, corn tortillas work well, but they may be less pliable. Warm them briefly in a dry skillet before assembling to prevent cracking.

How do I store leftover tacos and broth?

Store the tacos and broth separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the tacos in a skillet and the broth on the stovetop.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Substitute the pork with crumbled tofu or a plant-based ground meat alternative, and use vegetable stock concentrate instead of chicken and pork.