What Kind of Food Do Uruguayans Eat?

Overview
From barbecue meats to pasta dishes, savory pies to luscious desserts, Uruguayan cuisine hums with the influence of Italian, Spanish, German and French culinary traditions that reflect the country’s cultural diversity. A trip to Uruguay is not complete without enjoying a selection of ubiquitously Uruguayan foods.

Asado
Similar to a barbecue, the asado is a meal consisting of an assortment of meats cooked over a wood fire. The asado includes different cuts of beef, ribs, sausages, sweet breads, chitterlings and organ meats. Asados are enjoyed at parrilladas, or restaurants with grills.

Chivito
Hearty and filling, the chivito is a sandwich filled with sliced steak, vegetables, cheese, olives and pickles. The chivito canadiense is a variation of the chivito that includes bacon. Look for chivitos at street food stalls, coffee shops and pubs in Uruguay.

Morcilla Dulce
The morcilla dulce is a sweet black sausage made from pig’s blood, orange peel or raisins and walnuts. It is eaten as a part of an asado.

Milanesa
Similar to a wiener schnitzel, the milanesa is a breaded, deep-fried beef or chicken fillet. Available at restaurants, it is served with potatoes.

Pascualina
Influenced by Argentinian cuisine, the pascualina is a savory pie filled with spinach or chard and eggs. Pascualinas are found at street food stalls, cafes or bakeries in Uruguay.

Dulce de Leche
Spanish for “candied milk,” dulce de leche is a thickened caramel-like sauce made from sweetened milk. Dulce de leche is used in a variety of Uruguayan desserts -- as a filling for cookies and cakes, or an accompaniment for flan and ice cream. Dulce de leche can be purchased in jars at supermarkets in Uruguay.

Chaja
Chaja is a sponge cake topped with whipped cream and crushed meringue cookies. Chaja is found at tearooms, cafes and bakeries in Uruguay.