PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a softening method where an animal stock can be securely softened without causing variation while maintaining texture and flavor, and a softened animal food material softened in a state where texture and flavor are maintained by the softening method.SOLUTION: Provided is a softening method for softening an animal stock made of meat or seafood, comprising: a hardening treatment step where protein included in the animal stock is modified to harden the animal stock a hole making treatment step where the hardened animal stock is hole-made and a hydrolysis treatment step where the hole-made animal stock is contacted with a treatment liquid to subject the protein to hydrolysis.SELECTED DRAWING: None
