Handwritten recipe for Machaca
by: salvagedrecipes

Mexican Machaca Shredded Beef for Tacos and Rice Bowls

Machaca
Machaca is a savory Mexican-style shredded beef dish, traditionally made with dried, spiced beef but adapted here using a beef roast and a flavorful gravy. It's slow-cooked until fork-tender, shredded, then served with toppings like sour cream, salsa, and avocado. This version uses pantry staples like onion soup mix and flour to create a rich, comforting sauce. The meat is perfect in tacos or over rice, making it a versatile meal for family dinners or gatherings.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 8
Calories 420 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 7 blade roast (a.k.a. 7 bone roast, shoulder roast)
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 packet onion soup mix
  • 2 tbsp flour ( or quick-mix flour)
  • pepper (to taste)
  • garlic powder (to taste)
  • onion powder (to taste)
  • ½ cup soup mixture (reserved)

Optional:

  • 1 can salsa ( or stewed tomatoes)
  • ½ cup sautéed onions

Instructions
 

Step 1: Brown and Season Roast

  • Dust roast with flour and seasonings. Brown meat in a heavy casserole dish on the stovetop.

Step 2: Make the Gravy

  • Remove meat and stir together the soup, onion soup mix, and seasoning in the same dish. Return meat to dish and pour soup mix over it, reserving 1/2 cup for later.

Step 3: Bake the Roast

  • Cover and bake at 300°F for approximately 3 hours until very tender.

Step 4: Shred and Combine

  • Remove meat and pour off gravy. Shred the beef.
  • Add the reserved soup mixture and, optionally, 1 can salsa or stewed tomatoes and sautéed onions back into the sauce. Stir meat into the sauce.

Step 5: Serve

  • Serve over rice or wrapped in tortillas with sour cream, shredded lettuce, salsa, cilantro, and avocado.

Tips

  • Add sautéed onions to the sauce for deeper flavor (mentioned on the card).
  • Use fire-roasted salsa for a smokier machaca.
  • Substitute turkey (as handwritten) for a lighter version.
  • Add chopped jalapeños for heat.
  • Serve with both corn and flour tortillas for variety.
  • Add charred tomatoes (noted on the card) for brightness.
  • Mix in fresh cilantro just before serving.
  • Serve as tacos, burritos, or over rice bowls.
  • Add beans for a heartier meal.

Nutrition

Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 42gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.8gCholesterol: 135mgSodium: 780mgPotassium: 640mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 350IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 3.9mg
Keyword comfort food, machaca, Mexican-style beef, shredded beef, slow cooked beef, tortillas, vintage recipe
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