--- title: "National Churrasco Day: How to Prepare and Pair the Star Sandwich of Chilean Gastronomy?" description: "This sandwich, which blends culinary tradition and natural products with irresistible flavors, pays homage to the thin cut of beef called churrasco in its many variations." url: https://www.thebeertimes.com/en/national-churrasco-day-how-to-prepare-and-pair-the-star-sandwich-of-chilean-gastronomy/ date: 2023-10-20 modified: 2026-06-10 author: "Carlos Uhart M." image: https://www.thebeertimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Churrascos-chilenos.jpg categories: ["Recipes"] tags: ["Chile", "Eventos", "Gastronomy", "Recipes"] type: post lang: en --- # National Churrasco Day: How to Prepare and Pair the Star Sandwich of Chilean Gastronomy? Every October 20th, Chile celebrates National Churrasco Day, one of the most emblematic and beloved gastronomic delights in the country. !(https://www.thebeertimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Churrascos-chilenos.jpg)*Chilean churrascos* This sandwich, which blends culinary tradition and natural products with irresistible flavors, pays homage to the thin cut of beef called churrasco in its many variations. But one of Chileans’ favorites is the “Churrasco Italiano” (Italian Churrasco), which takes its name from the Italian flag by incorporating ingredients in its colors: tomato, avocado, and mayonnaise. This sandwich is a perfect combination of flavors that makes it a culinary gem highly appreciated by both Chileans and foreigners. ## Nutritional information Each serving of Chilean churrasco italiano contains approximately 680 kcal, 34 g of carbohydrates, 48 g of fat, 28 g of protein, 6 g of fiber, 5 g of sugars, 75 mg of cholesterol, and 720 mg of sodium. !(https://www.thebeertimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Alto-en-grasas-sodio-y-calorias-300x91.jpg) ## Chilean churrasco italiano recipe **Preparation:** 20 minutes **Cooking:** 10 minutes **Servings:** 4 people ### Ingredients - 800 g beef - 4 hamburger buns - 3 avocados - 3 tomatoes - Homemade mayonnaise - Vegetable oil - Garlic powder - Fine salt - Black pepper ### Preparation 1. Wash, peel, and slice the tomatoes into thin slices. Peel and mash the avocados with a fork until obtaining a creamy texture, add a pinch of salt, a few drops of lemon juice, and set aside. !(https://www.thebeertimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Churrascos-300x193.jpg) 1. On a wide, shallow plate, separate the churrascos (thin slices of meat), season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste, and set aside. Open the hamburger buns in half and warm them in a low oven, then set aside. !(https://www.thebeertimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Palta-molida-300x199.jpg) 1. In a large non-stick skillet or on a hot griddle, add a splash of oil, heat over medium-high heat, distribute the meat evenly, fry for a couple of minutes, and flip to complete the cooking. !(https://www.thebeertimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Pan-frica-sandwich-300x198.jpg) 1. Place the bun bottoms, moisten with a little of the cooking juice, distribute the churrascos evenly, cover with a couple of tomato slices, plenty of mashed avocado, mayonnaise to taste, and close gently with the bun top without spilling. ## Expert trick for a perfect churrasco If you are cutting the meat at home, leave it in the freezer for about 20 or 30 minutes before slicing it. When it is partially firm, you will be able to obtain extra-thin slices with the knife much more easily. ## Pairing churrasco italiano with beer Each of these recommended beer styles can offer you a unique pairing experience for your churrasco italiano, because the final choice depends on your personal preferences and how you like to experience contrasts and flavor synergies. ### 1. Light lager beer The freshness of a well-chilled light lager will complement the juiciness of the meat and provide a refreshing contrast to the flavors of tomato and avocado, while the carbonation helps cleanse the palate after each bite. ### 2. Amber Ale The roasted malt and caramelized notes of an Amber Ale will enhance the flavors of the meat and bread in the churrasco, with its slightly fruity profile balancing the freshness of the tomato and avocado, creating a harmonious and robust combination. ### 3. IPA (India Pale Ale) The bitterness of an IPA with its characteristic citrus notes helps counteract the fat of the meat and highlight the freshness of the vegetable ingredients, with the intensity of the hops balancing the mayonnaise and tomato. ## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ### 1. What cut of meat is used in Chile for a tender churrasco? To achieve the characteristic texture of Chilean churrasco, the meat must be tender, with little fat, and cut into extremely thin slices. The most recommended traditional cuts at Chilean butcher shops are asiento, posta rosada, posta negra, or lomo liso. ### 2. What type of traditional bread is used for churrasco? Although in homes people often use hamburger buns for convenience, the authentic Chilean sandwich shop sandwich is served on frica bread or round sandwich bread. The big difference from the American hamburger bun is that traditional frica bread has a slightly firmer crust, less sweetness, and a dense crumb capable of absorbing the juice from the meat, tomato, and abundant mayonnaise without falling apart or becoming mushy. ### 3. How should the tomato be prepared so the sandwich does not become watery? The secret of the best soda fountains is to slice the tomato thinly and let it drain for a couple of minutes before assembling the sandwich, or to finely chop it into small cubes (“chopped tomato” style). Furthermore, salt should be added to the tomato just when assembling the sandwich and not before, as salt dehydrates the vegetable, causing it to release water all at once and immediately soften the bottom bun. ### 4. Why are a few drops of lemon juice added to the avocado? The avocado for churrasco italiano must be mashed (not blended) until reaching an unctuous paste texture, seasoned only with salt and a splash of oil. The drops of lemon juice are an optional technical resource but highly recommended if the sandwich is not going to be consumed immediately. The acid from the lemon acts as a natural antioxidant that slows down the browning of the avocado, preventing it from turning dark and keeping its bright green color for longer. ## Recommended - (https://www.thebeertimes.com/los-estragos-que-puede-causan-en-nuestra-piel-el-consumo-de-alcohol-y-como-evitarlos/) - (https://www.thebeertimes.com/wset-presenta-su-nuevo-programa-de-certificacion-en-cerveza/)