Definition & Meaning of "machaca"

What is "machaca"?

Machaca is a traditional Latin American dish made by shredding dried beef and then using the shredded beef in recipes. To make machaca, beef is first cooked until tender and then air or sun dried until almost all moisture is gone. The dried beef is then shredded into thin strips using a knife or grinding tool. The resulting machaca shreds are coarse and fibrous with a very dry, jerky-like texture. Machaca is typically rehydrated and cooked with a sauce or stew base before eating. It is often prepared with ingredients like tomatoes, chili peppers, onions, and spices like cumin and oregano to make flavorsome sauces or fillings for tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. The rich, savory taste of machaca comes mainly from the dried beef and added seasonings. The texture of machaca after rehydrating and simmering becomes somewhat gelatinous and chewy. Machaca is a traditional ingredient in the cuisine of Northern Mexico and the Southwestern United States. It provides a flavorful, beefy addition to dishes while also being lower in fat and calories due to the drying process that beef undergoes in its preparation.