How to Grill a Steak Like You’re in Argentina

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Steak is a famous in Argentina. Visit an estancia, find a list of some great steak restaurant in Buenos Aires and Learn How to Grill a Steak Like You're in Argentina! Read on to learn all about it! www.compassandfork.comGrilled steak is a classic dish enjoyed all around Buenos Aires. Today we feature a recipe and instructions how to cook the perfect steak, Argentinian style, as if it was straight off the parrilla (BBQ). So read on to learn how to grill a steak like you’re in Argentina.

The quantity of beef consumed in Argentina is quite staggering really but is no surprise once you have tasted beef from stock raised on the famous, Argentine pampas. What makes it so good? We give you the lowdown on the pampas, how steaks and all other meat (and vegetables) are cooked around Buenos Aires as well as nominate some great steak restaurants to sample the fabulous meat. We also visit an estancia, Santa Susana, a great day trip out of Buenos Aires for a great day of parrilla, gauchos and Malbec wine.

The Pampas, Gauchos and the Parrilla

What is the pampas? And why is it so famous for beef (and lamb) production?

The Pampas of South America are flat, fertile plains covering an area of 300,000 sq. miles or 777,000 square kilometers, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Andes Mountains. The pampas is primarily in Argentina and extends into Uruguay. The word Pampas comes from the Guarani Indian word for level plain. The Argentinean Pampas are the home of the ‘Gaucho’, the original South American cowboy. It is a perfect environment for meat production, where beef and lamb abounds.

Indeed, Argentina has always been up there for the highest red meat consumption in the world. It is well ahead of the US on that scale. In years gone past, Argentina was one of the world’s biggest exporters of beef. It has a very mature beef industry that is well regarded.

Suzannah Estacion Cowboys - How to Grill a Steak Like You're in Argentina www.compassandfork.comGauchos are still revered in Argentina. And yes they still ride horses! Gauchos, work on “estancia” which are very large farms or cattle ranches. For a fabulous day trip from Buenos Aires you can visit Estancia Santa Susana.

Here you can visit the estancia, enjoy fabulous steaks and other meats cooked on the parrilla, and watch a gaucho show to demonstrate their cowboy skills. You can see first hand how to grill a steak in Argentina! And they sing as well! All washed down with fabulous, Argentinian Malbec and other refreshments, From the moment you arrive and greeted with a drink, you feel like a welcome guest. It is a great day for young and old.

Suzannah Estacion - How to Grill a Steak Like You're in Argentina www.compassandfork.comBut you don’t need to visit an estancia to enjoy a good steak in Buenos Aires. B-A is full of steak restaurants, where the meat is always cooked on the parrilla. Here were some we really enjoyed:

  • Cabana Las Lilas. Located in Puerto Madero and a great venue to enjoy one of the best steaks you will ever eat. Try the mega-rump. Enjoy complimentary limoncello and grappa (you can read about Buenos Aires Italian heritage here).
  • Lo de Jesus. For us this restaurant won the best value award. The bife de chorizo (sirloin or porterhouse) was excellent.
  • La Cabrera. There are 3 locations around Buenos Aires. A little touristy perhaps but there were lots of extras provided in the price without the need to order sides (a common practice in Buenos Aires is that they just serve the meat). We thought it was good value. The bife de chorizo was excellent.
  • Don Julio. Popular with the locals and has an excellent reputation. Again, the bife de chorizo was very good. Maybe a little more expensive than the above restaurants.

If you do visit Buenos Aires, it is mandatory to visit a great steak restaurant.

In fact, and to be honest, you probably won’t have a choice. Of all the countries I have visited, this is without doubt the most red-meat society I have observed. And cooking method? On the grill, always! And vegetables? Anything that can be cooked on the grill, think potatoes, bell peppers, onions, squash. Salad? Hmmm what can I say, it is just not a highlight in Buenos Aires!

If you are vegetarian, you will have limited options. OK if you are there for a week you may be ok, there are plenty of vegetarian pizza options, but if there for an extended period, I would learn how to eat red-meat or your options will be seriously limited.

Argentinians frown on cooking steak any more than medium rare and I doubt you would be able to order a steak cooked well done (I’m serious). Argentinian steaks are huge. I was put to shame watching the lady next to me eating a steak twice the size of mine. My male ego was shot to pieces! And Argentinians like to dine late in the evening. Restaurants do not start filling until after 9pm.

How to Grill a Steak Like You’re in Argentina

Now that you have a bit of background as to how important steak is in Buenos Aires, you will be pleased to know the cooking method is quite simple.

The method below assumes you are using an outside BBQ or grill or Weber. Try and buy steaks which are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick, or thicker. And make sure they are at room temperature before you start cooking. I used beef tenderloins (eye fillets) for this recipe.

If you want to know how to grill a steak like you are in Argentina, then just follow the method below and you will see why porteños (residents of Buenos Aires) consider this the (unofficial) national dish of Argentina.

Oh and need a good, red wine to enjoy with that steak? Go to the effort of buying any good, Malbec from Argentina. There is a reason it is considered the best Malbec in the world. Try it with this steak and find out why. You won’t be disappointed.

Want a quintessential South American sauce to accompany the steak? Here is a recipe for chimichurri sauce, found throughout Argentina.

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How to Grill a Steak Like You Are in Argentina
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Cook the perfect steak by cooking it on the grill. The instructions ensure you cook the perfect steak. And don't forget the Malbec and Chimichurri Sauce (click on the link above or below the recipe).
Servings Prep Time Cook Time Passive Time
2people 2minutes 7minutes 45minutes
Servings Prep Time
2people 2minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
7minutes 45minutes
Ingredients
Servings: people
Units:
Ingredients
Servings: people
Units:
Instructions
  1. Remove steaks from the refrigerator at least 45 minutes prior to cooking and an hour if thicker. About 10 minutes prior to cooking, light your BBQ/Grill to ensure the BBQ is at medium to hot temperature. If using a charcoal-based Weber BBQ, then prepare at least 60 minutes before cooking following the Weber instructions.
  2. About 2 minutes prior to cooking, brush your steaks liberally with olive oil. Sprinkle sea salt and ground black pepper onto a plate, then press the meat into the seasoning just moments before putting on the grill.
  3. Immediately place the steaks on the open grill side of your BBQ rather than the flat hotplate. This way you will achieve those great grill marks. For a 1 inch (2.5 cm) steak cooked on a BBQ, cook for 2 1/2 minutes each side for rare, 3 1/2 minutes each side for medium rare and 4 1/2 minutes each side for medium. Only turn once and only use tongs to turn the steaks.
  4. To test for doneness, use your finger or back of your tongs and press down on the steak. For rare it should feel soft, medium rare should be slightly bouncy and well done will be much firmer.
  5. Allow the steaks to stand at least 5 minutes before serving, covered with foil. Argentinians will serve any vegetable that may be cooked on the BBQ, such as foil-wrapped potatoes, red and/or green bell peppers (capsicums) and onions. 10 of the Most Popular Dinner Recipes from Around the World - Griledl Steak Argentina www.compassandfork.com
Recipe Notes

Don't forget the chimichurri sauce, found throughout Argentina and Chile and very popular with steak.

28 Responses

  1. Aaron
    | Reply

    Where is the recipe?

    • Compass & Fork
      |

      Thanks so much for letting us know- it had a typo that was blocking the recipe display!

  2. Christie
    | Reply

    Argentina would be an interesting place to visit. My husband has been but I have not. They apparently send most of the good beef out of the country. It would be fun to travel there with our food and never leave the house.

    • Editor
      |

      Hi Christie, cook this recipe and you will be traveling there. It is certainly an interesting country. Thanks for your comment.

  3. Annie @ Annie's Noms
    | Reply

    Thank you so much for this! I am useless when it comes to steak; it’s one of the only things I just can’t do right! I’m going to have another go though and follow your instructions!

    • Editor
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      Good luck Annie. Let us know how it goes. Thanks for your comment.

  4. Lucy
    | Reply

    I’ve always dreamed of going to Argentina. This steak looks so delicious. I thought you would suggest pairing it with malbec, so the merlot is unexpected. Can’t wait to try them together!

    • Editor
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      Hahaha Lucy. You are dead right I meant to say malbec and wrote merlot. Thanks for the pick up. I will change the text.

  5. Jayne
    | Reply

    The Argentinians really know how to do meat! love you steak tips Mark, my hubby thanks you in advance 🙂

    • Editor
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      I hope it works well for you. The Argentinians do like there steak alright.

  6. Argentina has always been on my travel bucket list. However, I didn’t know most of this, thanks for the information. Thanks for all the tips on grilling steak, I love grilled steak, but always worry that I will mess it up when I grill it.

    • Editor
      |

      Melissa, I think it’s just a confidence thing. Once you’ve got it right the first time you won’t give it a second thought. Thanks for your comment

  7. Corinne
    | Reply

    I loved this post, partially because…steak! But also, I just want to get to Argentina already and try this estancia thing out. Great post!

    • Editor
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      Corinne, the estancia thing was brilliant. We had a great day and the food and wine was very generous. There is no such thing as a small serving in Argentina.

  8. Ann
    | Reply

    If I had a bucket list, one of the top experiences I would have on the list is eating steak in Argentina. And even though I don’t have a bucket list, I still want to do this so bad.

    I’m glad you listed an alternative we can try at home. I’ll have to try it and then, one day, compare it to the real thing.

    • Editor
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      Cooking the cuisine of the places we visit is just the thing we try and have our readers experience. It’s like a mini-holiday without leaving home.

  9. nonsoloamore
    | Reply

    Mmmmmhhh, what can I say. It definitely looks delicious. I will try that. When we do BBQ the most time consuming things are the side dishes.

    • Editor
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      Yes cooking the steak is the quick part. We couldn’t believe how little vegetable was actually eaten at the local parillas there. The steak is the thing.

  10. Amy
    | Reply

    Thank you so much for sharing!! I was planning to grill steaks this week so this is right in time!! I can’t wait to try this method. Thanks again!

    I would be honored if you would share your posts at the Monday Mish Mash here: https://countrymousecityspouse.com/monday-mish-mash-link-party-16/ and the Wonderful Wednesday link party here: https://countrymousecityspouse.com/wonderful-wednesday-linky-party-101/

    • Editor
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      Amy, Glad it will be helpful for the weekend. Thanks for the invite to the Linkups- I have made a note of them. See you there.

  11. Shelly
    | Reply

    Looks fantastic! I have heard so many good things about the steaks in Argentina. I must add this to my bucket list.

    • Editor
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      Going to a local steak restaurant there is just a wonderful thing for the senses. The tastes, the scents, everything.

  12. Bob
    | Reply

    That looks really good and who knew? I have been grilling steaks like an Argentinean all along without knowing it. Although I haven’t used oil on the steak. Maybe I will try that.

    • Editor
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      Thanks Bob. The oil on the steak is a good trick. You sound like you are natural born griller!

  13. Jennifer St Louis
    | Reply

    This looks and sounds fantastic! We will have to give it a try.

    • Editor
      |

      I hope you enjoy it Jennifer, we did!

  14. Cathy
    | Reply

    I’m craving a steak now! On a side note- why do they hold their hand up when riding?

    • Editor
      |

      The gauchos were putting on a show to demonstrate their skills by threading a suspended ring with a small peg while riding at full speed. It was impressive.

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