Argentina, a land celebrated for its passionate tango, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes, also boasts a cuisine as rich and diverse as its heritage. Argentine Food is a delightful fusion of indigenous traditions, European influences – primarily Spanish and Italian – and a unique South American flair. For any food enthusiast venturing into this captivating country, experiencing the local gastronomy is paramount. Let’s embark on a flavorful journey through 10 iconic Argentine dishes that promise an unforgettable culinary adventure.
1. Asado: The Heart of Argentine Barbecue
To truly understand Argentine food culture, you must experience an asado. More than just a barbecue, asado is a social ritual, a leisurely gathering centered around the grill, or parrilla. Originating from the gauchos, the legendary Argentine cowboys, asado was their way of life, fueled by the abundant cattle roaming the pampas. Today, it remains the national dish, a testament to Argentina’s deep-rooted connection to beef. Expect a mouthwatering array of grilled meats: succulent beef cuts, pork, ribs, various sausages including blood sausages (morcilla), and sweetbreads (mollejas), all cooked to perfection over charcoal or wood fire. In Patagonia, you might even witness a whole lamb or pig slowly roasting over an open flame, a truly spectacular sight and taste. Seasoned simply with salt, perhaps a touch of chimichurri, and best enjoyed with a glass of robust Malbec, asado is the quintessential Argentine food experience.
Try a taste of asado at home with this barbecued lamb with sweet mint dressing recipe.
2. Chimichurri: Argentina’s Signature Sauce
No exploration of Argentine food is complete without encountering chimichurri. This vibrant green sauce is the country’s ubiquitous condiment, elevating grilled meats and countless other dishes. Chimichurri is a piquant salsa, meticulously crafted from finely chopped parsley, oregano, onion, garlic, chilli pepper flakes, olive oil, and a splash of acidity, usually from lemon juice or vinegar. Its tangy, garlicky, and slightly spicy flavor profile makes it incredibly versatile. While sometimes used as a marinade to infuse meats with flavor before grilling, chimichurri is most commonly served generously spooned over asado and other savory delights throughout Argentina. It’s the perfect complement to the richness of grilled meats, adding a fresh and zesty counterpoint.
Experience the magic of chimichurri with these recipes: steak with chimichurri sauce, bavette with chimichurri sauce, or for a vegetarian twist, black bean chimichurri salad.
3. Provoleta: Grilled Cheese Argentine Style
Argentinians have taken grilled cheese to a whole new level with provoleta, their signature grilled cheese dish. A testament to the significant Italian immigration to Argentina, provoleta is the Argentine adaptation of provolone cheese. Sharp, pungent discs of provoleta cheese are seasoned with chilli flakes and aromatic herbs like oregano, then expertly grilled until the exterior is crisp and slightly caramelized, while the interior becomes wonderfully gooey and smoky. Served hot off the grill, provoleta is often drizzled with olive oil or topped with a spoonful of chimichurri for an extra layer of flavor. It’s a delightful appetizer or side dish that showcases the Argentine love for cheese and grilling.
For cheese lovers, explore more cheesy creations with these cheese recipes.
4. Dulce de Leche: Argentina’s Sweet Treasure
Argentina’s vast grasslands not only provide exceptional beef but also abundant dairy, the foundation for dulce de leche, one of its most cherished culinary treasures. Loosely translated as “milk jam,” dulce de leche is a thick, luscious caramel created by slowly reducing sweetened condensed milk until it transforms into a rich, sticky, and intensely flavorful confection. This sweet delight is omnipresent in Argentine desserts. You’ll find it generously spread in alfajores, filling dessert empanadas, and as a decadent topping for helado (ice cream), another Argentine favorite consumed in copious amounts. Dulce de leche is the embodiment of Argentine sweetness and indulgence.
Indulge in the sweetness of dulce de leche with these recipes: salted caramel choc pots, banoffee trifles, and melting middle truffles.
5. Alfajores: The Quintessential Argentine Cookie
Argentina is believed to be the world’s largest consumer of alfajores, and for good reason. These delicate, crumbly shortbread-like biscuits are typically sandwiched together with fillings like jams, mousses, or, most commonly, dulce de leche. Alfajores have historical roots in the Arab world, brought to southern Spain by the Moors. From Spain, these sweet treats journeyed to Argentina, where they quickly became a national obsession. Considered Argentina’s national cookie, alfajores are enjoyed throughout the day, across the entire country, as a sweet snack, dessert, or accompaniment to coffee or mate.
Bake your own moreish alfajores at home with this alfajores recipe.
6. Empanadas: Savory Argentine Pastries
Another culinary gift with Moorish origins, passed through Spain and finally flourishing in Argentina, are empanadas. These savory pastries became popular as a hot, affordable, and portable meal, particularly among the working classes. Resembling South American pasties, empanadas are made with dough that is either deep-fried or baked and filled with a variety of sweet or savory stuffings, depending on the region. Dessert empanadas are commonly filled with quince jam, sweet potato paste, or dulce de leche, and often dusted with cinnamon, sugar, or sweet raisins, especially in Córdoba. Savory empanadas are filled with spiced ground beef, chicken, goat, cheese, and/or vegetables, with skilled cooks using distinct markings on the pastry fold to indicate the filling inside. Empanadas are a versatile and delicious representation of Argentine street food and home cooking.
Try making empanadas yourself with these recipes: corn, cheese & chilli empanadas, beef & chorizo empanadas, or cabbage & pork empanadas.
7. Matambre Arrollado: Stuffed and Rolled Meat
While Argentina is renowned for its thick cuts of meat, matambre arrollado is a must-try dish that showcases a different approach to beef. Matambre, a thin cut of beef similar to flank steak, is thinly sliced and then generously stuffed with a colorful and flavorful mixture of vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, herbs, and olives. The meat is carefully rolled around the filling and then cooked by boiling, baking, or grilling. “Matambre” literally translates to “hunger killer,” and “arrollado” means “to roll-up.” Traditionally, matambre arrollado is often one of the first meats ready during an asado, serving as a delicious appetizer to stave off hunger while the rest of the barbecue cooks.
8. Yerba Mate: Argentina’s National Infusion
Yerba mate is more than just a drink in Argentina; it’s a cultural institution. Indigenous populations in South America were the first to cultivate and consume yerba mate long before European colonization. This herbal and caffeine-infused beverage is enjoyed throughout Argentina, from takeaway cups to traditional hollowed-out squash gourds. Yerba mate leaves are dried, chopped, and ground into a powder or steeped as whole leaves in hot water. Drinking yerba mate is a deeply social ritual. The mate gourd, equipped with a metal straw called a bombilla that also acts as a sieve, is often passed around in a group, with each person taking a sip before passing it on. Experiencing mate is immersing yourself in Argentine social custom and hospitality.
9. Choripán: Argentina’s Ultimate Street Food
Choripán is the undisputed king of Argentine street food. A staple before football matches, a favorite among taxi drivers, and a constant presence at markets and street stalls, choripán is a quick, flavorful, and satisfying bite. It’s made with pork and beef chorizo sausage, cooked over charcoal or wood flames to achieve smoky perfection. The chorizo is grilled, then butterflied open, topped with a generous helping of chimichurri, and served nestled between slices of crusty bread. Depending on the region and vendor, you might find variations with caramelized onions, pickled aubergines, green peppers, and other condiments. Another dish rooted in gaucho traditions, choripán has transitioned from rural fare to a beloved urban street food icon.
For a taste of choripán-inspired flavors, try these recipes: chicken liver & chorizo open sandwich or chorizo rolls.
10. Carbonada: Hearty Argentine Stew
During the colder months, carbonada is the go-to comfort food in Argentina. This savory, meaty, and brothy stew is designed to warm you from the inside out. Carbonada typically features a rich combination of meat, potatoes (both sweet and white), corn on the cob, carrots, peppers, bacon, and a unique touch of fruits, ranging from dried apricots and raisins to fresh peaches, pears, and green grapes. Traditionally, carbonada is often cooked and served in a hollowed-out pumpkin that’s placed on the barbecue, adding a smoky depth of flavor. Variations of carbonada exist across Argentina, and it can even be found as a filling for empanadas, transforming into a portable stew.
For similar comforting dishes, explore these winter stew recipes.
Caitlin Zaino, founder of The Urban Grocer, contributed to the original article.
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Are you passionate about Argentine cuisine? Let us know your favorite Argentine food dishes in the comments below!
