Explore Argentina's Christmas Food Ideas

Argentina’s Christmas dinner celebrations are a vibrant fusion of European traditions and South American flavors. They create a unique holiday feast that actually reflects the country’s rich cultural heritage. Snowflakes and hot cocoa may be the norm elsewhere; in Argentina, that is definitely not the case!

Argentineans celebrate Christmas under the summer sun; thus, the season has the biggest influence on menu choices. So ditch the cooked wine and toast with sparkling, refreshing cocktails! Argentinians made a perfect blend of summer and holidays, so their Christmas food is pretty unique!

Asado – Argentinian BBQ

Asado, aka Argentinian barbecue, is a staple for any big get-together, Christmas included. Grilled meats are a big deal in this cuisine, so you will find many meat varieties here, especially beef and pork. But the real stars of good asado are definitely spices, marinades, and inevitable chimichurri.

The national dish of Argentina – Asado

The Argentine barbecue or asado is more than just a meal; these food-centric get-togethers constitute an important part of the Argentine social life.

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Metambre a la Pizza – Pizza on Steak

When you ditch the classic pizza crust and swap it with a large, juicy flank stake, you get this carnivore pizza. Of course, the key is a well-prepared steak, which is usually medium rare. You can go for any topping you fancy, though; check out this recipe for three different ideas!

Matambre a la pizza (Steak a la pizza)

We are nearing the end of 2020 and what a year it has been! Celebrations will be rather different as well as we will all be staying at home and therefore we need the perfect recipe.

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Argentine Turrón – Meringue and Nutss Confectioners

This dessert originates from Spain, but it is super popular in Argentina, especially during holidays. The dessert has an interesting texture, as decadent meringue melts in your mouth, while various nuts give it the crunchy component. I love the assortment of nuts in this recipe: almonds, pistachios, peanuts, and hazelnuts, so I’m definitely making this the first chance I get!

Argentine Turrón (Torrone) | Christmas Recipes

Turrón is a Spanish nougat and comes in various forms. The two classics are turron de Alicante, which has whole nuts in a kind of honey candy.

Check out this recipe

Argentine Turrón (Torrone) | Christmas Recipes

Chocotorta – Chocolate Cake

This is an absolute classic for Argentinian Christmas dessert. Chocotorta is a multiple-layer cake made with chocolate cookies and caramelized condensed milk – dulce de leche. I adore rich cakes and have never had something like this before, so it is a must-try in my book!

Chocotorta

Chocotorta is an Argentinian dessert. It’s basically an icebox cake with chocolate cookies, layered between a cream cheese and dulce de leche silky mixture.

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Pollo Relleno Mendocino – Argentintinian Stuffed Chicken

This is a stuffed whole chicken, aka a giant cordon bleu chicken. Thus, you will get layers of goodness: ham, cheese, and roasted peppers, all wrapped into juicy, well-brined chicken. Argentinian roast looks amazing, plus you can make it in advance and serve it cold!

Pollo Relleno Mendocino (Argentinian-style Stuffed Chicken)

I took the plunge and de-boned my first chicken. It actually wasn’t as bad as I had dreaded, but it does take some patience.

Check out this recipe

Pollo Relleno Mendocino (Argentinian-style Stuffed Chicken)

Tomates Rellenos – Stuffed Tomatoes

Because Christmas in Argentina comes in summer, stuffed tomatoes are a staple, refreshing, and light side dish. It is common to stuff them with tuna, mayonnaise, veggies, and herbs. I love this recipe the most because it includes rice instead of tuna, so it is a YES from me!

Tomates Rellenos con Arroz-Rice Stuffed Tomatoes

Another holiday favorite in Argentina and it's easy to know why–in the heat of a South American summer, nothing is as precious to the palate as a fresh tomato, picked at its peak.

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Tuna Pionono – Tuna Roll Cake

This is the ultimate cold appetizer to serve for the Christmas festivities! It is super simple to whip up; you just need a sheet of pionono or roll cake. Stuff it with anything you fancy – tuna, mayo, red bell peppers, and olives are just a base; roll, slice, and call it a day!

Tuna Pionono (Tuna Roll Cake)

Argentine tuna roll cake or tuna pionono it’s a perfect celebration appetizer. You can adapt the filling of this easy appetizer recipe to your likings.

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Vitel Toné – Steak in Egg Sauce

Vitel Toné originates from Italy, but it is super popular in Argentina, especially during holidays. The base is a thin slice of veal or beef submerged in a delish, rich sauce made with hard-boiled eggs, tuna, anchovies, mayonnaise, mustard, and capers. The aroma and flavor are rather specific, so if you don’t like this combo, definitely skip it!

Vitel Toné

What is vitel toné? Vitel toné, also called ternera atunada, is a Christmas classic recipe that is originally from Italy where it’s called vitello tonnato. It is composed of slices of veal that are served with a creamy anchovy and tuna-based creamy sauce.

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Ensalada Rusa

Russian salad is probably the most common side dish Argentineans serve for Christmas dinner. It is a blend of peas, finely diced carrots, potatoes, and hardboiled eggs coated in a mayonnaise-based dressing. It pairs nicely with different meats, which is important because asado (BBQ) is a big deal in Argentina.

Argentinean Potato Salad

This Argentine salad, also known as “ensalada rusa,” contains chopped green olives and mixed vegetables with a little kick of lemon and ground mustard.

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Pan Dulce – Panettone

This Italian-inspired treat is extremely popular in Argentina, so it has become a part of the Christmas tradition. You can purchase this sweet bread loaded with nuts and dried fruits anywhere in the holiday season, but there is something special about a homemade one. Check out the recipe – it is so well-explained you can’t mess it up!

Pan Dulce – Argentine Panettone

Traditionally eaten around Christmastime in Argentina, loaves of pan dulce can easily be purchased at any grocery store or bakery during the months of November and December. Pan dulce, also known as panettone in Italy, is a fruit and nut filled bread that is so delicious, I decided I wanted to be able to eat it year-round.

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Garrapiñadas – Caramelized Nuts

Caramelized nuts, usually peanuts, are a traditional sweet snack served during the holiday season. Coat them in sugar so they have a nice crunchy, golden-brown layer. You can induce it with vanilla or cinnamon to get even more flavor – YUM!

Garrapiñadas

Garrapiñadas are an integral part of traditional street food in Argentina. For some, they are associated with street life and the holiday season. For others, it is about sweets that take them directly to their childhood. Garrapiñadas are typical Argentine sweets that can be enjoyed in autumn and winter. Although the ingredients used to prepare them are fairly basic (sugar and peanuts), it is a matter of mastering the preparation technique and having a little patience to successfully make this recipe at home.

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Dearest Chefs, a huge thank you for sharing your amazing recipes and pieces of your rich culture and tradition with us!