Trader Joe’s Frozen Birria Is Proof That Birria Has Entered the Mainstream

Everyone is a birriero nowadays and the latest part-time taquero to try their hand at the art of stewing beef with chiles is Trader Joe’s. 

We are not really sure why there is a certain sense of pride that you feel when you take that very first highly anticipated bite of Trader Joe's frozen beef birria. Is it because it is a staple dish that many of us took for granted growing up? Is it because regional Mexican dishes deserve the same amount of respect and romanticization as regional European dishes? Is it because this frozen birria low-key tastes surprisingly good and hits all the beefy, vinegary notes of the countless platos de birria you’ve had at family gatherings your whole life?

All of the above. Dare we even say it is suitable enough to serve at a quinceñera and you probably wouldn’t even be able to taste it came out of a box?

Everyone has been telling L.A. TACO about this birria since Trader Joe’s put it in their freezer case a couple of months ago. The co-packer or company who makes it for them is unknown, like many other Trader Joe’s products, but the final flavor, texture, and smell tell us it’s someone that has done plenty of research. From the extremely beefy consomé it is swimming in to the precious and pleasurable pearls of beef fat that is full of umami and richness, this birria tastes better than some of the much more dry stuff we’ve had in the streets of L.A. It’s more of a vinegar and chile everyday base that you see more in Tijuana than Jalisco, where they tend to use more warm spices like clove and cinnamon. 

Don’t believe us? Watch our latest video below and remember, there is a birria for everyone.