Argentina is known for its pleasant scenery, diverse cultural heritage, and, most importantly, delicious food (shh, no one said Asado!). This article will reveal the top five popular food types that Argentina is famous for. Let’s take a look right away!
Argentine cuisine is famous worldwide because of the exceptional quality of its beef and the high value placed upon it around the world. Argentina’s pampas verdes, or “Fertile Plains,” extend from the Atlantic coast to deep in the country, and heavy rains regularly fall. That makes them ideal places for raising cattle, producing top-quality beef that is known and enjoyed everywhere on earth.
Asado means cooking a variety of meats such as beef short ribs and sausages (by one method or another) over an open fire or grill. This treatment is what gives Argentine beef its unique smoky flavor and velvety texture.
Discover more about Argentine beef cuts in this detailed guide.
An empanada, a staple in Argentine food culture, stands as a potentially savory meat-filled snack. You could have all sorts of different stuffing not just, for example beef or chicken but also cheese and vegetables, like corn or spinach. You have the option to either bake or fry them, and savor them as a main dish or as a complete meal.
Tucumán Empanada: This empanada is famous for its abundant shreds of beef with a slightly sharp taste.
Empanadas in Salta: Not so large and more spiced; generally a pinch of cumin is added.
Córdoba Empanadas: Famed for their fillings, and sometimes even a raisin or two can be spotted.
Choripán, one of Argentina’s favorite street foods, is a grilled chorizo sausage in crispy bread roll, It comes with chimichurri— a zesty herb condiment of sorts–or Salsa Criolla: chopped fresh onions mixed with raw tomato and bell pepper. Choripán is beloved by all tourists in Argentina, a key component of the street food culture.
Similar to schnitzel, the milanesa is a fried meat cutlet, usually beef, pork or chicken, that has a crunchy outer layer and is soft inside. It is often served with mashed potatoes or salad. Milanesa can also be topped with tomato sauce and cheese, turning it into the popular milanesa Napolitana.
Locro is a thick stew of maize, beans, potatoes, and all sorts of meat like sausage and pork. Just the thing one needs to fill up and keep warm! It is especially popular on national holidays in Argentina where it has its origins among the native communities of the Andes. In modern-day Argentina, especially in colder parts such as the south, this tasty and nourishing dish is something to love.
If you love locro, you should try preparing Pollo al Disco, another popular Argentine dish.
Provoleta is a paradise for cheese lovers. Provolone cheese is grilled until it is golden and generally garnished with oregano. It makes a good start at an asado, and goes well with bread.
These two-tiered cookies consist of a layer of dulce de leche sandwiched between two biscuits, dusted with icing sugar, or coated entirely in chocolate. Often taken as an accompaniment to afternoon tea or eaten as if they were cake, alfajores come in many flavors. Many visitors buy a box of alfajores before they leave Argentina, taking the flavor of the country back home with them.
Dulce de leche is produced by simmering milk and sugar until it becomes thick enough to spread. With a taste that has been caramelized, it is delightful on toast, baked items, and numerous desserts. Argentina also has a National Dulce de Leche Day on 11 October.
Mate in Argentina is something more than just a drink. The traditional South American herbal tea, made from the leaves of the yerba mate plant, is very often drunk with family and friends. A whole group will share the same container and sip in turn with a metal straw. Known for its slightly bitter flavor, mate can sweetened by adding sugar or honey.
Malbec from Argentina has gained a wonderful reputation around the world. Known for their smooth, rich flavors and intricate tannins, the Malbec wines produced in the vineyards of Mendoza at high altitudes are ideally suited to go well with steaks off the grill. Apart from that, Argentina has also developed unique wines like fragrant white Torrontés and hearty red Bonarda.
10. Humita: A Taste of Indigenous Roots
Humita, a kind of savory packet, was made by grinding onions and cheese into corn grain and then adding salt & pepper. A pride of the Northwest of Argentina (in particular, the provinces Tucuman and Jujuy), it is known for its friendly character and very delicious flavor. Humita is also similar to tamales.
Even as Argentina is known the world over for its wines there has been a clear trend toward craft beer. Breweries in many areas are making many different types of beer, stouts, and IPAs among them. They frequently use local ingredients so that the beer is unique in flavor. Despite Argentina having great wines, it also now has a lively market for craft beers.
The gastronomic savoir-faire of Argentina is characterized by a fusion of European and local elements. Every single plate, the delicious Argentine beef or even dulce de leche, has a fascinating history. In case, you are planning to visit Argentina or are curious about trying new cuisines, these meals in Argentina provide a great way of tasting the Argentine cuisine culture.