By Google Arts & Culture
Leo Liberman/Juan Pablo Lanciotti
El Mercado de Liniers (2021-01-08) by Pablo ValdaGustar
Setting the price
Three days a week, auctions are held at Liniers cattle market that determine the price of meat.
Restaurant Corte Comedor (2020-11-11) by Leo LibermanGustar
Preferably chargrilled
The consumption of beef per capita in Argentina is the highest in the world. Every cut from head to tail is eaten, as well as all the offal (entrails and internal organs).
El Mercado de Liniers (2021-01-08) by Leo LibermanGustar
The early bird gets the worm
Located on the outskirts of Buenos Aries, Liniers cattle market is the largest of its kind on the planet. Things get going before dawn and buyers roam the walkways looking for their future purchases at auction.
La carnicería Corte (2020-11-11) by Leo LibermanGustar
Much more than meat
Argentines view meat not only as sustenance, but also as an excuse for socializing. The rack of ribs, which contains the 'asado' (short ribs), is one of the most popular cuts.
El Mercado de Liniers (2021-01-08) by Pablo ValdaGustar
Our cowboys: the Gauchos
Following their introduction onto the continent by Spanish conquerors, cows were left free to roam the grasslands (or Pampas) of Argentina. The cattle was later bred and sold. The gauchos that herd and manage the animals are known as 'reseros'.
El Mercado de Liniers (2021-01-08) by Leo LibermanGustar
They do this the traditional way, on horseback. Liniers Market is a busy place, with ceaseless cattle runs and the constant din of herding calls.
La carnicería Corte (2020-11-11) by Leo LibermanGustar
A unique relationship
The last link in the chain of sale is between the person who packs off the cuts of meat and their customers. The average Argentine only buys meat from their trusted butcher, whom they choose based on the prices they offer and the quality of their product.
El Mercado de Liniers (2021-01-08) by Leo LibermanGustar
The buyer's numbers are painted on the flank of the animals which then undergo final weighing. Straight after, they are loaded onto trucks bound for the slaughter sites.
El Mercado de Liniers (2021-01-08) by Leo LibermanGustar
A strange place for such a big market
Liniers cattle market is located in Mataderos, a barrio (neighborhood) on the edge of the city of Buenos Aires named after the slaughterhouses that once prospered in the vicinity of the market and were later relocated to less populated areas. In the coming months the market itself will be moved to Cañuelas, one hour from Buenos Aires.
Restaurant Corte Comedor (2020-11-11) by Leo LibermanGustar
Cooking point
The cooking method is determined by the thickness of the final cut of 'bife de chorizo' (top loin). The meat obtained must be sealed on the outside and juicy on the inside.
El Mercado de Liniers (2021-01-08) by Leo LibermanGustar
Auctions begin at about 7 a.m., after the buyers have visited the cattle sellers. The animals are categorized by breed, rearing method and age.
Restaurant Corte Comedor (2020-11-11) by Leo LibermanGustar
Much more than steak
Meat is part of Argentina's idiosyncrasy and its history. For many, it symbolizes the junction between countryside, the rural, and the rest of the country.
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Argentina's Table
Grab your knife and fork and start your journey across Argentina's culinary culture
View themeFAQs
Considered their national dish, Argentinians have a deep love for beef, and so do we. The consumption of steak has played a significant role in shaping the social, cultural, and economic aspects of Argentine life.
Why is Argentinian meat so good? ›
The cattle are also not given any hormones or antibiotics during their growth period, showcasing Argentina's high standard of meat quality. A significant reason why Argentinian beef is so good is that it is produced by small farmers who raise cattle on family farms.
What is the famous meat in Argentina? ›
Bife de Chorizo, a thick and juicy sirloin steak, is one of Argentina's most beloved dishes. Contrary to what its name might suggest, this dish does not contain any chorizo sausage. Instead, "chorizo" refers to the cut of the beef, known elsewhere as a strip steak.
What kind of beef is raised in Argentina? ›
In Argentina, the pastoral symphony of the pampas plays host to some of the most revered cattle breeds in the world. The Aberdeen Angus and Hereford stand as the bovine monarchs of these grassy plains, their lineage as much a part of the land as the gauchos who shepherd them.
What meat is the best on earth that can be eaten in Argentina? ›
Argentine steak is widely believed to be among the best in the world. From Buenos Aires to Patagonia, Argentine beef has a reputation for its flavor and tenderness that no other country can match.
What is the most consumed meat in Argentina? ›
Argentina. The most consumed meat in Argentina is beef. The country is famous for its high-quality beef and popular dishes such as asado, a traditional Argentine barbecue that includes a variety of cuts of meat like chorizo, morcilla, and different cuts of steak.
What is the number one food in Argentina? ›
1. Asado. The way to Argentina's heart is through its asado, or barbecue, also known as parrillada. Don't leave the country without spending a leisurely afternoon beside the warmth of a grill or open fire, feasting on copious grilled meats.
Is Argentinian beef healthy? ›
One of the secrets behind the mouthwatering taste of Argentine beef lies in our commitment to mostly grass-fed cattle. Our cattle are primarily fed with grass, just as nature intended. This natural diet results in leaner meat, ensuring a healthier option for consumers.
What is Argentina's national food? ›
Asado. Of course, the first thing that comes to mind with Argentinian cuisine is our love for barbecue–what we call asado. The average Argentinian eats so much asado, we consider it our national dish. Every kind of meat imaginable goes onto the grill, but beef is by far the most popular.
Can you buy Argentine beef in the US? ›
WITH BAN LIFTED, FRESH ARGENTINE BEEF IS HEADED FOR U.S.
e the federal government lifted a 68-year ban against imports of Argentine beef, after deciding that country had eliminated foot-and-mouth disease from its cattle.
The many breeds of cattle introduced to Argentina thrived in the pampas, grazing happily and often, resulting in leaner, more flavorful and nutritious beef. Whereas most American beef is grain fed, the bulk of Argentinian cattle feed on the plentiful grass, resulting in more omega-3 fatty acids.
Why did Argentina ban beef exports? ›
The ban is likely a reaction to a 20% increase in beef prices in 2021, as the global economic recovery drove up food prices. Argentina's populist government enacted a sweeping ban on beef exports in an effort to keep domestic prices low in May 2021.
What animals do they eat in Argentina? ›
With Italian and Spanish influences, the Argentine cuisine is characterized by its variety of meats and in particular, it's beef, as seen in the popularity of Argentinian Steakhouses throughout the world. Grilled veal and pork are also very common.
Is Argentina the beef capital of the world? ›
The stats are in and the winner is... Argentina. No other country consumes more beef.
What is the cultural food of Argentina? ›
One of the most iconic dishes is asado (barbecued beef on an open flame) served with the classic chimichurri sauce. The Italians brought pizza and pasta to the Argentinean table. On Sundays, some grandmas still make homemade tallarines (noodles), lasagna, cannelloni and ñoquis (gnocchi).
Is Argentina a vegetarian country? ›
Similarly, Argentina is renowned for its meat-based cuisine and is notoriously difficult for vegetarians. As the world's second-largest beef consumer, Argentine culinary traditions often revolve around asado, a type of barbeque, making it difficult to find varied vegetarian options.
