Food in Argentina - Do Not Miss Out on These!

Argentina is not your conventional country. It is an abode for stunning vistas, dramatic glacial landscapes, long coastlines, vibrant cities with UNESCO heritage sites, tango dances, football lovers and endless and limitless food flavours. In Argentina, you will find that the dish you are eating at the moment is always better than the one you tasted last. But, what is more exciting is that if you swap back to the last one for that final bite, it will be as if someone struck a cord and a symphony is playing inside your mouth, dancing with your taste buds.

Famous for its Malbec wine as well as barbecued meats, locally grown food and diverse food tastes, every meal in Argentina is savoured to the very last scrap. And for all the good reasons. As one of the food-loving countries in the world, people in Argentina make their food with as much reverence as a prophet prophesies in his sermons. Cuisine in Argentina is diverse, and even though the country is largely famous for its meaty and non-vegetarian food, there is something for vegetarians as well. So let us take a dip into the pool of deliciousness and foodgasms and prepare for serious feasting.

Food in Argentina

Every Argentinian has a secret recipe and a unique way of cooking with their own set of flavours that have been passed down from generation to generation. A certain way of simmering a pot of Yerba Mate, making the barbeque sauce or seasoning the Provoleta. And even a particular way of lighting the fire, and roasting perfect cuts.

From the mouthwatering beef cuts hot off the grill served with a glass of a Quimera to having Medialunas with the morning coffee. Or Guiso de Lentejas in the winter morning with potatoes, butternut squash and carrots to an Asado in the evening, food in Argentina is absolutely scrumptious.

As one of the largest meat consumers, people in Argentina eat more grilled meat than anything else. Asado is a huge part of their cuisine. Asado is an American Spanish word that means “roasted” or “to roast”, or for the lack of a better word, BBQ. Though the term alludes to the technique, it is used interchangeably with the dish being prepared as well. Asado is the traditional food in Argentina. As the national dish of Argentina, it is prepared using different techniques.

Traditionally, the meat is cooked on wood or a cross pit, unlike the modern cast iron pans and Parrilla. The wood gives the meat a subtle smoky flavour and brings the deliciousness to the next level. Cook for a few hours, top it with a dash of olive oil, a sprig of rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper. Better yet, serve it with ember roasting bell peppers, eggplant and onions and you have the perfect dish of Argentina.

Food in Argentina is enjoyed to the fullest. And Asado is a great way to plan a get-together with family and friends. Out of all the places to visit in Argentina, a restaurant that serves a wholesome dinner of Asado is definitely a must.

Argentinians like their meat well cooked, and a long time is to be expected, therefore, many restaurants and cafes with Asado remain closed until the evening and tourists can sate their craving with snacks or merienda in between. However, there is more to the popular food in Argentina than Asado. Let us go taste them little by little.

Best Food in Argentina

The food that’s worth trying in Argentina includes: -

• • Choripán
  • Chimichurri
  • Provoleta
  • Dulce de Leche
  • Empanadas
  • Yerba Mate
  • Carbonada Criolla

Choripán

Team up chorizo (sausage) with pan (bread) and you get a Choripán.

Choripán is a common street food in Argentina made from grilled sausage sliced and buttered down the centre, slathered with chimichurri and served between slices of a crusty bun. It is also a favourite food in Argentina. Depending on when and where you are having it - before a football match, at a street stall or as an entree at an Asado, Choripán can be served with caramelised onions, pickled eggplant, green peppers and a choice of sauce.

Chimichurri

An important part of the traditional cuisine in Argentina, Chimichurri is an uncooked condiment in traditional dishes in Argentina. Made from parsley or cilantro, ginger, olive oil, peppers, oregano and vinegar, Chimichurri is a tangy salsa sauce that is a classic paired with grilled meat, sausages, roasted vegetables, empanadas and other famous dishes in Argentina. From family to family, there are different versions of Chimichurri passed down from generation.

Whisk together garlic, oregano and finely chopped parsley and stir the mixture in olive oil, vinegar, salt and red pepper flakes with a touch of lemon and there you have a traditional Chimichurri Verde to be drizzled over grilled vegetables or a bowl of creamy polenta. But, if you add some paprika, ripe tomatoes, red bell peppers, and sea salt for that pop of flavour, you have Chimichurri Rojo ready to be served with grilled meat.

Provoleta

Argentinians give a whole new meaning to grilled food. Other than Asados, Choripán and other famous grilled dishes in Argentina, Porvoleta is a clear favourite for people who love grilled food and cheese. Provoleta is a soft round piquant cheese made from the local cow’s milk and cured for about four months. The cheese in itself is pretty bland tasting until it is melted and seasoned with herbs and olive oil. Since it is a soft melting, Provoleta is popularly used in sandwiches, baked pasta dishes and casseroles.

In Argentina, it is sliced about an inch or two thick and slapped on a grill with a generous amount of oregano, red chilli flakes and olive oil. A perfect Provoleta smells amazing and is caramelised on the outside yet oozing and melting on the inside.

Dulce de Leche

Some Argentinians would argue that if you have never had a taste of Dulce de Leche, you have not yet experienced the real Argentina. And, we agree with them!

If you are up for some sweet, sugary delight, Dulce de Leche is going to be your favourite food in Argentina. Made by slowly simmering milk and sugar until a sweetened and sticky gel-like consistency remains, Dulce de Leche is used as a filling or spread for cakes, truffles, pastries and even as ice cream toppings.

Empanadas

Sweet, savoury, puffed pastries either deep fried or baked to perfection, Empanadas is a common food in Argentina. Served as an appetizer or as a standalone snack, depending on their mood, Argentinians will either buy them from a local street shop or make them at home.

Sellers in different regions of Argentina have their signature style of Empanads. While some may fill it with ham and cheese or spiced ground beef, others may serve them as desserts packed with dulce de leche, jam or sweet potato paste.

Yerba Mate

Yerba Mate is a huge part of the traditional meal in Argentina. Made from the green leaves of Yerba, Yerba Mate is an herbal caffeine drink which is brewed like tea.

Yerba Mate is not only a superfood but also a daily ritual. Mostly consumed as part of breakfast and afternoon meals in Argentina, the tea is sipped through a bombilla, a metal straw placed inside a container called calabash gourd and enjoyed with Bizcochos, Tortas Fritas or Pastelitos de Hojaldre. The drink is often enjoyed in the company of friends and family and is sold in many local shops and restaurants in Argentina.

Tip - Drink like the locals, but make sure to never stir the mate with the straw as it is considered a faux pas.

Carbonada Criolla

Carbonada is one of the most famous dishes in Argentina. Made from potatoes, stewed tomatoes, corn on the cob, carrots, peppers, as well as meat topped with fruits. Carbonada is a wholesome winter food in Argentina. Served hot inside a hollowed-out pumpkin that can act as a bowl, the stew is then baked and seasoned with bay leaf, cumin, and garlic scrapes.

It is a hearty and appetising meal. Different versions are made throughout the country, each paying homage to its nutritional value.

Argentina has a rich food culture. Known for its culinary traditions that are still influenced by the Gaucho culture. As cowboys who need nutrient-rich food that can sustain and keep them active throughout the day, food in Argentina is wholesome, nutritious and packed with the warmth of those who make it.

Take your pick from our Argentina tour package and get ready to savour the mouthwatering dishes of Argentina.

Till then, hasta la vista!