Machaca

Machaca is a traditional dish consisting of marinated and shredded beef. The meat is usually marinated in a mixture of garlic, salt, pepper, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, and chilis. Originally, the meat was dried, rehydrated, and pounded to make it tender again. Although meat-drying is one of the oldest methods of preservation, drying the beef with native spices and chilis was invented by the people of northern Mexico. Today, shredded beef is often cooked with onions, garlic, bell peppers, and finely chopped tomatoes. With its rising popularity, there are also some variations on the recipe, so machaca can be added to burritos, prepared with scrambled eggs (macahaca con huevos), or slow-cooked overnight and served with cheese, sour cream, and tortillas. It is recommended to pair machaca with beverages such as tequila, White Zinfandel, or margaritas.