Presented By: Nick Nesgoda @burntpelletbbq
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 Hour
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Difficulty Level: Easy
Cook Method: Traeger/Smoker
Doneness: Your preference! Medium-rare is 125°F (57°C)
Oven Temperature: 250°F (211°C)
This playful and easy-to-master dish isn’t just about cooking a steak — it’s about serving up serious flavor with serious flair. With a twirl of twine and a sprinkle of sea salt magic, you’ll be ready to take center stage at your next cookout. Every sizzle and crackle brings you one step closer to BBQ greatness. Fire it up, impress your guests, and let the Tomahawk steal the show!
Equipment
Traeger Grill
Blender
Deep Dutch Oven Pot
Griddle or Traeger Flat Rock
Knife
Cutting Board
Baking Sheet
Spice Grinder
Deep Fryer
Ingredients
2 packs yellow corn tortillas
2 X 8 oz bags quesadilla cheese
12 lb. Thor's Hammer beef shank
Olive oil as binder
½ large onion, skin removed
4 whole tomatoes canned
2 tablespoons canned chipotle peppers, or more for spicer sauce
6 cups beef broth (plus more for braising if needed)
2 sliced limes for garnish
Cilantro chopped garnish
½ onion chopped garnish
Spices
Salt & pepper (generous amount for seasoning beef)
5 tablespoons of Traeger’s Garlic & Chili Pepper Rub
5 dried bay leaves
10 dried guajillo peppers, seeds and stems removed
5 arbol chile peppers
2 tablespoons chicken bouillon
3 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 ½ tablespoons cumin
1 teaspoon peppercorns
1 tablespoon Mexican oregano
5 cloves garlic minced
Instructions
Start off this juicy dish by preheating your Traeger to smoke at 200°F (93°C). Here we go!
Next, tenderize and infuse flavor into the mighty Thor's Hammer beef shank by tying and coating it with a luscious layer of olive oil. Season generously with the aromatic Traeger chili pepper rub, salt, and pepper.
Insert the MEATER Pro probe, set the desired temperature to 165°F (74°C) in the MEATER App, and begin smoking the beef in the Traeger until it achieves perfection. Allow the MEATER App to be your guide, notifying you when it's ready to be removed from the smoker!
While the beef is smoking, dive into crafting the heart of these tacos – the guajillo pepper sauce. Meticulously remove stems and seeds from the guajillo and arbol peppers, preparing them for a fiery symphony of flavors.
As the beef reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), transfer it into a deep dutch oven pot. Pour the prepared guajillo pepper sauce over the beef, allowing it to bathe in the flavors.
Cover the dutch oven with foil, elevate the smoker’s temperature to 350°F (177°C), and embark on the final leg of this culinary journey – braising. Set your MEATER App to 200°F (93°C) so it will notify you once the meat becomes perfectly tender and effortlessly shreddable. Remember to let your beef rest a moment before you shred it — the MEATER App will also let you know when your beef is done resting and is ready to join the party!
After resting, shred the beef and preserve the rich, flavorful broth. It’s the key to the Thor's Hammer final transformation.
Prepare the garnishes that will add the finishing touches to these culinary masterpieces. Dice onions and chop cilantro, ready to be the crowning glory on each taco.
On a heated griddle or Traeger flat rock, lay the stage for the tacos. Top each tortilla with a generous sprinkle of quesadilla cheese and a hearty portion of the shredded Thor's Hammer beef.
Then press each taco with a spatula on both sides until they are crisp and golden. Remove from the heat and allow to cool briefly before serving, it will be very hot!
It’s time to present these extraordinary tacos to your eager audience, pairing them with a bowl of the reserved broth adorned with additional onions and cilantro! Dive into the ultimate birria heaven, dipping each taco into the broth for as long as you’d like! You did it, you deserve it!
