An Argentine asado runs on slow time. The asador lights the wood an hour before anyone eats, shovels glowing embers under the grill, and lays out the meat in careful order. Guests stand around with snacks, the smell drifts over the garden, and nobody asks when it will be ready.
Asado is Argentina’s barbecue and its most important social ritual: beef and other meats cooked slowly over wood or charcoal embers on a parrilla (grill), served in waves, with chimichurri, salad and grilled provolone cheese. Visitors usually experience it at a parrilla restaurant in Buenos Aires or at an estancia (ranch) in the countryside. Prices in Argentina change fast; in 2026 a parrilla meal typically costs the equivalent of about US$15–40 per person. Ordinary parrilla beef is not halal-slaughtered and several classic cuts are pork or blood sausage, but Buenos Aires has halal butchers and restaurants.
This guide covers the cuts, the order of an asado, how to order at a parrilla, what to avoid, halal options, prices and phrases.
The order of an asado
- Picada – snacks while the fire burns down: cheese, olives, bread.
- Achuras and sausages – chorizo, morcilla and offal come off the grill first.
- Provoleta – a disc of provolone grilled until crisp outside and molten inside.
- The main cuts – beef in rounds, as each piece is ready.
- Salads – simple mixed salad, often with tomato and onion.
- Applause for the asador – a real tradition at family asados.
Cuts to know
| Cut (Spanish) | What it is | Halal check |
|---|---|---|
| Asado de tira | Short ribs cut across the bone | Beef; not halal-slaughtered at regular parrillas |
| Vacío | Flank; juicy with a crisp fat edge | Beef |
| Entraña | Skirt steak; tender and full-flavoured | Beef |
| Bife de chorizo | Thick sirloin steak; no sausage despite the name | Beef |
| Ojo de bife | Ribeye | Beef |
| Chorizo | Sausage, usually pork | Pork: not halal |
| Morcilla | Blood sausage, usually pork | Not halal |
| Mollejas, chinchulines | Sweetbreads, small intestines | Offal; not halal-slaughtered |
Sauces and sides
- Chimichurri – parsley, oregano, garlic, chilli, oil and vinegar.
- Salsa criolla – chopped onion, tomato and pepper in vinegar and oil.
- Provoleta – grilled provolone with oregano.
- Papas fritas and simple salads.
Halal note: ordinary parrilla beef is not halal-slaughtered, chorizo is pork, morcilla is blood sausage, and wine is poured freely. Buenos Aires has a Muslim community centred on neighbourhoods such as Palermo, home to the King Fahd Islamic Cultural Center, and there are halal butchers and restaurants in the city; some offer halal asado. Provoleta, salads and grilled vegetables are the meat-free options at any parrilla. See our halal food travel guide.
How to order at a parrilla
- Order by the cut, not “steak”. One main cut per person is plenty; portions are large.
- Say how you want it cooked: jugoso (medium-rare), a punto (medium), bien cocido (well done).
- The parrillada is a mixed grill for sharing; it usually includes chorizo and morcilla, so ask for it without.
- Dinner is late: many parrillas fill up from 9pm.
- Cubierto – a small cover charge per person for bread and table service is common.
Where to go
- Buenos Aires parrillas – from neighbourhood bodegones to famous restaurants in Palermo and San Telmo; book ahead for well-known ones.
- Estancias near Buenos Aires – day trips to ranches with an asado lunch and gaucho demonstrations.
- Halal restaurants in Buenos Aires – search before your trip; some serve Argentine grills with halal beef.
What it costs (2026)
| Order | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Main cut at a neighbourhood parrilla | Equivalent of about US$12–25 |
| Main cut at a well-known parrilla | Equivalent of about US$25–45 |
| Provoleta | Equivalent of about US$5–10 |
| Estancia day with asado | Priced per person; varies |
Prices in Argentina change quickly with inflation. Plan with the Argentina food budget calculator and see tipping in Argentina (around 10% is usual).
Spanish phrases (Argentina)
| Say | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Un vacío para dos, jugoso | Flank for two, medium-rare |
| Sin chorizo ni morcilla, por favor | Without chorizo or blood sausage, please |
| ¿Tiene cerdo? | Does it have pork? |
| ¿La carne es halal? | Is the meat halal? |
| La cuenta, por favor | The bill, please |
Frequently asked questions
What is an Argentine asado?
A barbecue and social gathering where meat is cooked slowly over wood or charcoal embers, served in rounds.
Is asado halal?
Ordinary parrilla meat is not halal-slaughtered, and chorizo and morcilla are not halal. Buenos Aires has halal butchers and restaurants.
What is the best cut for asado?
Popular choices are asado de tira (short ribs), vacío (flank) and entraña (skirt).
Does bife de chorizo contain sausage?
No. It is a thick sirloin steak; the name has nothing to do with chorizo sausage.
More from South America: dulce de leche in Argentina and empanadas. See all Latin America food guides.
Sources
- Argentina Travel – official tourism site.
- Asado.
