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Llama meat was the protein of choice for the Inca. Not cows or pigs, but llama and alpaca.
During the reign of the Inca Empire in the Andean Region of South America, llama meat was an important source of protein.
At the time, in the early 15th Century, the empire stretched from modern day Argentina to southern Columbia.
While in Argentina exploring the local food specialties, we traveled north to the province of Jujuy.
Tilcara was our base. A rural city in the middle of the Quebrada de Humahuaca known for its striking rock formations.
Furthermore, the indigenous Andean communities in the Quebrada are famous for perpetuating the local tradition and culture.
Much to our surprise, llama meat was a commonly available local specialty. Available at several local eateries, we explored this culinary tradition.
Read on for more about llama meat in Argentina.
Table of Contents
Llama Meat
Llamas are part of the South American camelid family. They are large domesticated furry animals that were used for the transportation of goods in the Andes.
The other members of the South American camelid family are alpacas, guanacos and vicuñas.
Llamas are also used for their meat and wool. Stands selling colorful socks, gloves, scarves made using llama wool are plentiful in the region.
Llama meat is used in many regional dishes. Llama meat is high in protein and low in fat. Healthy and nutritious, it is considered a good source of protein for the Andean population.
More recently, llama meat is growing in popularity. In La Paz, Bolivia, which is situated in the Andes, llama meat is found on menus at exclusive restaurants.
Outside of South America and the Andes, llamas are raised all over the world. And llama meat consumption is growing in the United States, Europe, and Australia.
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Can You Eat llama Meat
Is llama meat edible is one of the first questions we asked ourselves when we arrived in the north of Argentina.
However, seeing that it was offered on several menus, the obvious answer was “yes.”
While intrigued and curious about eating llama meat, we wanted an experience that was authentic and respectful to the local culture.
With a desire to steer clear of tourist trap restaurants, locals recommended Khuska Resto Bar, away from the center of town.
Chef Ines welcomed us warmly on a rather quiet evening. With not many tables to tend to, we took advantage and peppered her with questions about llama meat and local specialties.
Noting our curiosity, she recommended trying her signature, cazuela de llama or llama stew.
Not only did she make us feel comfortable trying this exotic meat, but also explained the context and tradition.
With few options for animal protein, she told us, llamas were eaten and continue to be eaten for their nutritional value.
It was not about llamas being an unconventional choice, but rather a local and healthy option.
This dish arrived beautifully presented. On it was llama meat, thinly sliced and mixed with native potatoes known as papas andinas.
The potatoes were cut into slices and everything was served in a delicious creamy sauce.
We were blown away by the wonderful combination of flavors. The lean and tender llama meat was the perfect accompaniment for the sauce.
And, the native potatoes were some of the sweetest potatoes we’ve ever had.
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What Does Llama Meat Taste Like
After eating llama meat on several occasions, we found the taste to be very similar to lean beef. We both enjoyed it and found it to be tender with flavors richer than beef.
When prepared as a stew, llama meat is tender and soft from the slow cooking techniques.
Eating llama, considered an exotic meat, was a way of connecting to the local culture. A mind opening experience and part of the tradition in the Andes.
This reminded me of eating horse meat in France. As a child, my mum would regularly buy horse meat from a boucherie chevaline or horse meat butcher.
Horse meat was praised for being healthy, low in fat and full of iron, and I enjoyed it.
Llama meat, while not readily available in large Argentine cities like Buenos Aires, is a local and nutritious option.
An overall pleasant tasting red meat and one that is worth trying.
Llama vs Alpaca
While llamas and alpacas are from the same camelid family, they are different in physical appearance. Llamas are significantly bigger with longer faces and tall ears.
Alpacas have more wool which produces softer fiber than llama wool.
Unlike llamas which were traditionally used as pack animals for carrying goods, alpacas were bred for their wool.
Both llama and alpaca were important sources of protein among the indigeneous population of the Andes.
Alpaca meat is popular in the Peruvian Andes and found on many restaurant menus.
While in Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire and gastronomy city in Peru, we had the chance to try alpaca meat.
Similar to llama meat, alpaca is also high in protein and low in fat. Alpaca meat, however, is more tender due to the fact the animals are not used for transportation.
We tried alpaca steak served with rice, potatoes and vegetables.The alpaca steak was flavorful and tender, though cooked a little too long.
Globally, alpaca meat is gaining popularity. A rise in alpaca farms in the US is making it a trendy new protein.
Whereas in Australia, alpaca meat is found on many restaurant menus under the brand name “LaViande.”
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Five Authentic Llama Dishes
A lean meat, llama can be prepared in a variety of ways. It can be cooked on a grill, in stews, pan-fried or eaten as llama jerky known as charki.
In Argentina, the two most common llama dishes were cazuela de llama and lomo de llama.
Cazuela de Llama or Llama Stew
Cazuela de llama or llama stew was our favorite way of enjoying llama dishes in Argentina.
We had llama de cazuela several times and each time it was prepared in a slightly different manner.
While all the versions were prepared as a stew, the accompaniments were different. While the one at Khuska which was cooked with native potatoes, another one was simply stewed in its own juices.
With a lighter broth along with seasonal vegetables, the tender llama flavors were the star of the dish.
Another favorite preparation style was pieces of the llama cooked in a stew with rice, carrots and papas andinas.
Similar to a boeuf bourguignon-style, the slow cooked pieces of llama were incredibly tasty, tender and soft.
Lomo de Llama or Llama Steak
Another llama meat dish we enjoyed was lomo de llama or llama steak.
Similar to a boneless sirloin steak, the lomo de llama we devoured was pan-seared to perfection. The taste was very similar to a cut of steak, with slightly more intense flavors.
Easy to cut into, the meat was moist and tender without much fat.
The llama steak was served with mashed potatoes made using the local native potatoes.
Llama Empanadas
Empanadas in Argentina are extremely popular and eaten throughout the county. In the north, not surprisingly, llama meat is a popular filling.
Unlike the beef and lamb empanadas we enjoyed in the Patagonia region, the llama meat ones were a bit dry.
With the meat not having much fat, the llama empanadas were not as enjoyable as other preparation styles.
Salame de Llama or Dry Cured Llama Sausages
Similar to dry cured meats, we also discovered the llama version known as salame de llama.
Made into boldly seasoned sausages, they contained a mixture of llama meat, fat and various herbs and spices.
We paired the salame de llama with traditional goat cheese known as queso de cabra, for tasty appetizers.
The salame de llama was flavorful and surprisingly tender for dry-cured meat. Another wonderful expression of this traditional meat from the Andes.
Charki or Llama Meat Jerky
Charki, also spelled charqui, is a common jerky from the Andean region of South America. The name comes from “ch’arki”, in the Quechua language for dried salted meat.
Traditionally, llama and alpaca were used as the meat source. This was a way to preserve meat and store it for a long time.
Charqui was popular on trade routes within the Inca Empire and was commonly traded by those raising camelids.
Llama jerky can be found in Argentina, though we saw it most frequently at the bus stations in Chile.
Llama Recipes
Llama Steak
Llama meat can be prepared as a steak similarly to a beef steak. For the best way to prepare grilled meat, check out our article grilling meat like an Argentinian.
To accompany this lean meat, we recommend using Argentina’s favorite grilled meat sauce, chimichurri sauce.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST RECIPE: This authentic Argentina chimichurri sauce is the perfect accompaniment for barbecue or grilled meats. Bright, tangy and easy to make at home,click and get our authentic Argentina chimichurri recipe.
Llama Burger
Another way you can find llama meat is prepared as a burger. While not a preparation we came across while in Argentina, llama meat is a healthy and tasty substitute to beef.
Check out our Wagyu beef burger recipe for a comprehensive recipe to prepare llama meat burger. Simply substitute the wagyu beef with llama meat.
Where to Buy Llama Meat?
In the US, a few retailers do offer llama meat or alpaca meat.
You can buy these exotic meats directly from a farm. In addition to raising llamas and alpacas for their fiber, some farms also sell the meat directly to customers or restaurants.
In Summary
In South America, particularly in the Andes region, llama meat has been a staple for thousands of years.
The use of llamas as a healthy source of protein is not new and is very much rooted in the local food culture.
As llama meat grows in popularity and becomes more trendy, it is worth keeping in mind its traditional origins.
A healthy alternative to beef, consider trying llama meat at least once.
Have you tried llama meat before? Please tell us in the comments which exotic meats you’ve ever tried.
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Claire is a culinary explorer who travels the world in search of the best local foods. She is always looking for her next culinary adventure to bring you the best bites while exploring new places.
I would love to try some llama dishes. These all look so delicious!
Wow, what an informative post! Today only I watched a film related to Inca tradition on Netflix and now, I am reading this post about their food, Llama meat. I’ll definitely try the Llama steak or stew someday, look so delicious 😍
So great to hear and what perfect timing. Llama meat is quite an experience and I hope you get to taste it someday. Thanks for stopping by.
wow! So many things you can do from the Llama meat! It looks amazingly delicious!
Their fur really made good products, and their meat sounds so delicious too.
These animals are so cute, I didn’t know that they can be eaten too.
I don’t think I’ve ever had Llama Meat. I’m scared to try it but if I get the chance I think I will try it. Thanks for sharing!
This is really interesting, I had no idea that people actually ate Llamas meat.
I didn’t know that llama meat can be eaten and can be made into several dishes too. Is there a distinct smell on the meat just like the goat meat?
Hi Joy, after trying several different preparation styles, we didn’t find the meat to have a distinctive smell. The llama meat took the flavors of the food. The lean texture was the most noticeable experience. Worth trying for sure. Cheers.
That is cool that you can eat llama meat. My husband would love to try this meat.
I have to admit I didn’t know llama meat was used in dishes, though it also doesn’t surprise me. My other half loves trying different dishes so I could imagine him trying out at least one of these.
I had no idea that Peruvians ate llama meat. I have several friends from Peru so I will ask them about it. I have socks made from llama wool, and they are so soft and comfortable!
I too love my soft wool gloves and socks 🙂 Let us know what your Peruvian friends think of llama meat. Cheers Allison.
I don’t think I have ever eaten llama meat before! I know some cultures don’t always have the same animals as we do in the US, so they have to look for different varieties!
How interesting. I’ve never had llama meat before. I would certainly give it a try to see if I liked it!