migas: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C2)Informal, Culinary
Quick answer
What does “migas” mean?
A traditional Spanish dish made primarily from leftover bread or tortillas, pan-fried with oil or fat and often combined with ingredients like garlic, peppers, chorizo, and paprika.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A traditional Spanish dish made primarily from leftover bread or tortillas, pan-fried with oil or fat and often combined with ingredients like garlic, peppers, chorizo, and paprika.
Can refer to a Tex-Mex breakfast dish using tortilla strips scrambled with eggs and various other ingredients. More broadly, any dish where stale bread or tortillas are fried and combined with other foods to create a main course.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'migas' is recognized almost exclusively as a Spanish dish. In the US, especially the Southwest, 'migas' is commonly understood as a Tex-Mex breakfast item.
Connotations
UK: Connotes Spanish/Tapas cuisine. US: Often connotes a hearty, regional breakfast.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general UK English, slightly higher in specific US regions like Texas.
Grammar
How to Use “migas” in a Sentence
We ate [migas] for breakfast.She prepared [migas] with chorizo.This restaurant serves excellent [migas].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “migas” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in restaurant/food industry contexts.
Academic
Rare, except in culinary history or cultural studies.
Everyday
Used when discussing specific cuisines or meals.
Technical
Specific to culinary arts and recipe writing.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “migas”
- Using as a singular noun (e.g., 'a miga' – incorrect; it's a plural noun treated as singular).
- Confusing it with the unrelated Spanish verb 'migar' (to crumb).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a plural noun (from Spanish) but is usually treated as a singular mass noun in English (e.g., 'This migas is good').
Spanish migas uses bread, olive oil, and Spanish ingredients like chorizo and paprika. Tex-Mex migas uses tortilla strips, eggs, cheese, and peppers or salsa.
Yes, there are vegetarian versions that omit the meat (like chorizo) and focus on vegetables like peppers and onions.
In Spain, it can be eaten at any meal. In Tex-Mex cuisine, it is predominantly a breakfast or brunch dish.
A traditional Spanish dish made primarily from leftover bread or tortillas, pan-fried with oil or fat and often combined with ingredients like garlic, peppers, chorizo, and paprika.
Migas is usually informal, culinary in register.
Migas: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmiːɡəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmiɡəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms in English. In Spanish, 'hacer migas' can mean 'to get along very well'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MIGAS = Made In GAStronomy from Stale bread.
Conceptual Metaphor
REVIVAL/TRANSFORMATION (transforming stale leftovers into a delicious meal).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary ingredient in traditional Spanish migas?