This report describes a rapid and innovative microwave procedure for protein hydrolysis coupled with high performance anion exchange chromatography and pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD) to quantify the amino acid 4-hydroxyproline in meat and meat-based products. This innovative approach was successfully applied to determine collagen content (4-hydroxyproline × 8) as the index quality of meat material used in the preparation of typical meat-based foods.