Brazilian Churrasco

 

Churrascos are typical of not only Brazil but also Uruguay, Argentina, and other countries of South America. However, it varies from one country to the other and even within regions of a specific country as well.

Generally speaking, churrascos where introduced as part of the traditions of the southern region of South America by the gauchos. In Brazil, churrascos are traditional of the southern region of the country and that term is used to call meats cooked in a hot skillet or special barbeque oven. The meat used for a churrasco can include any kind of meat desired. This way, what in Brazil is called a “churrasco” is what in Uruguay and Argentina is called an “asado”.

Churrasco in Other Countries

On the other hand, in Uruguay or Argentina a “churrasco” usually refers to a thin cut of cow meat (some people might also use the word churrasco to call a thin slice of pork or chicken too, but it is traditionally used with cow meat), cooked in a hot skillet, in a barbeque or even in a pan. A churrasco in these countries can be part of an asado: it can be cooked with other meats in the traditional barbecue brick ovens.  

In Brazil, the special barbecue or grill sets needed to cook a churrasco are called churrasquerias. And just as it happens with asados in Uruguay or Argentina, the Brazilian churrasco is often served with chimichurri sauce and accompanied with salads, many times a lettuce and tomatoes one.