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Traditional Argentine Asado

Authentic Argentine asado featuring a variety of beef cuts slow-cooked over a live fire and served with bright, herbaceous chimichurri sauce.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Argentine
Calories: 480

Ingredients
  

For the Grill
  • 3 to 4 pounds bone-in beef ribs
  • 2 to 3 pounds beef short ribs cut into sections
  • 2 pounds beef sirloin steak cut into 3-inch thick pieces
  • 1 pound beef sweetbreads or organ meats optional
  • 1 pound chorizo sausage whole links
  • 3 tablespoons coarse sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Chimichurri Sauce
  • 1 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh oregano
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Charcoal or wood grill with adjustable grate height
  • Long-handled tongs
  • Meat thermometer
  • Heavy-duty heat-resistant gloves
  • Wire brush
  • Large cutting board
  • Sharp carving knife
  • Aluminum foil
  • Metal skewers (optional)

Method
 

  1. Light the charcoal or wood and let it burn for 30–45 minutes until you have a steady bed of hot coals. Create two heat zones, aiming for 275–350°F on the cooler side.
  2. Scrub the grill grate with a wire brush, then oil it lightly to prevent sticking.
  3. Make the chimichurri: Combine parsley, oregano, and garlic with red wine vinegar and let sit 5 minutes. Stir in olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper; set aside for at least 30 minutes.
  4. Pat all meats dry and season generously on all sides with coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper just before grilling.
  5. Place beef ribs bone side down on the cooler zone of the grill. Cover and cook 60–90 minutes, keeping the temperature between 275–325°F and rotating every 20 minutes.
  6. After 45 minutes, add short ribs and chorizo to the cooler zone. Continue cooking, turning every 15–20 minutes, until ribs reach 190–203°F and sausages 160°F, about 60–90 minutes more.
  7. When the ribs are nearly tender, move sirloin steaks to the hot zone and sear 3–4 minutes per side until they reach 130–135°F for medium-rare.
  8. Transfer all meat to a cutting board, tent with foil, and rest 5–10 minutes. Carve and serve immediately with chimichurri sauce.

Notes

Keep the lid closed as much as possible to maintain a stable temperature. Serve with crusty bread and grilled vegetables for a complete Argentine experience.