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South American Recipes
56 recipes — each showing allergens, prep time, and servings. Page 1 of 3.
Where it's from
Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Colombia
South American food spans many national and Indigenous, African, European, and diasporic traditions across the continent.
National dish
Asado · Ceviche · Feijoada
Several dishes are commonly cited across different countries; no single dish represents South America as a whole.
Signature ingredients
Core techniques
- grilling over coals. Open-fire grilling is central to dishes such as asado and many regional meats.
- slow stewing. Beans, meats, tubers, and vegetables are commonly simmered into hearty regional stews.
- citrus curing. Coastal traditions often use citrus and chiles to prepare raw seafood dishes such as ceviche.
A typical day of eating
Breakfast
Breakfast often includes breads, cheese, fruit, eggs, or regional staples such as arepas or tapioca.
Lunch
Lunch is commonly the largest meal, often built around rice, beans, meat, tubers, or soup.
Dinner
Dinner is typically lighter than lunch in many areas, though grilled meats, stews, and shared plates are common.
Street food
Comfort food
Popular desserts
Typical drinks
Holidays & festival food
Festa Junina
Pamonha · Canjica · Bolo de fubá
Brazilian June festivals commonly feature corn-based sweets and warm seasonal foods.
Inti Raymi
Chiri uchu
In Cusco, chiri uchu is strongly associated with Inti Raymi and Corpus Christi season celebrations.
Fiestas Patrias
Empanadas de pino · Pastel de choclo · Asado
Independence celebrations in parts of the Southern Cone often center on shared savory foods.
South American Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Fainá
Buenos Aires's thin chickpea flatbread, baked until golden and fragrant — simple, crispy-edged, and traditionally eaten layered right on top of a pizza slice.
South American Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Majadito
Bolivia's rustic one-pot comfort — dried charque beef simmered down with rice, tomato, and spices into a savory, fragrant dish topped with a fried egg.
South American Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Bandeja Paisa
Colombia's legendary tray of abundance — red beans, white rice, chicharrón, chorizo, fried egg, plantains, and avocado all piled high for a satisfying feast.
South American Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Picarones
Peru's addictive street doughnuts — rings of sweet potato and butternut squash fried until puffy and golden, then drizzled with warm chancaca spiced syrup.
South American Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Tacu Tacu
Peru's clever next-day creation — leftover rice and beans pan-fried into a crispy, cohesive golden patty, typically crowned with a fried egg or lomo saltado.
South American Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Vatapá
Bahia's extraordinary seafood stew — dried shrimp, fresh fish, coconut milk, and crushed peanuts thickened with bread into a rich, spiced, saffron-golden paste.
South American Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Empanadas de Pino
Chile's classic baked empanadas — golden pastry filled with juicy beef braised with onion, cumin, olives, raisins, and hard-boiled egg in every bite.
South American Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Feijoada
Brazil's soul-warming black bean stew slow-cooked with smoky pork, sausage, and bay leaves — rich, deeply flavored, and made for lazy weekend gatherings.
South American Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Papa a la Huancaína
Sliced boiled potatoes bathed in Peru's legendary creamy, golden sauce of ají amarillo, queso fresco, and crackers — vibrant, spicy, and utterly addictive.
South American Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Moqueca
Brazil's stunning coconut fish stew — fresh seafood simmered in creamy coconut milk, dendê palm oil, and tomatoes, perfumed with cilantro and finished with lime.
South American Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Cuy Chactado
A prized Andean delicacy — whole guinea pig pressed flat and fried until the skin crackles, with earthy cumin and garlic flavors running deep.
South American Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Rocoto Relleno
Fiery Peruvian red rocoto peppers stuffed with spiced ground beef, raisins, and cheese, then baked in a creamy milk sauce — bold heat, rich reward.
South American Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Tres Leches Cake
An impossibly moist sponge soaked in three milks — whole, evaporated, and condensed — and crowned with billowy whipped cream for a lusciously sweet finish.
South American Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Pabellón Criollo
Venezuela's beloved national plate — savory shredded beef, black beans, white rice, and sweet fried plantains, every bite a satisfying balance of flavors.
South American Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Asado
Argentina's sacred grilling tradition — thick cuts of beef, chorizo, and ribs cooked low and slow over hardwood embers until gloriously charred and tender.
South American Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Empanadas
Golden pastry pockets stuffed with spiced meat, olives, or cheese — crispy outside, steaming and savory within, perfect for sharing.
South American Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Causa Rellena
Peru's elegant cold appetizer — silky ají amarillo-lemon mashed potato layered around a creamy tuna or chicken filling, served chilled in vibrant yellow slices.
South American Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Sopa de Maní
Bolivia's rich and comforting peanut soup — ground peanuts blended into a golden broth with chicken, potatoes, and vegetables for deep, nutty warmth.
South American Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Milanesa
South America's crispy breaded cutlet — thin beef or chicken pounded flat, coated in seasoned breadcrumbs, and pan-fried golden for a satisfying family dinner.
South American Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Encebollado
Ecuador's restorative albacore tuna soup — slow-simmered with yuca and smothered in a tangy pickled red onion curtido, beloved as an energizing breakfast.
South American Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Cazuela de Ave
Chile's nourishing homestyle chicken soup — bone-in pieces simmered with pumpkin, potato, corn on the cob, and rice in a clean, golden broth.
South American Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Patacones
Twice-fried green plantain rounds — smashed flat, fried until deeply golden and crisp, then salted and served stacked with avocado, cheese, or black beans.
South American Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Pastel de Choclo
Chile's comforting corn and beef pie — a savory ground meat filling of olives and raisins blanketed under a sweet, golden creamed corn crust.
South American Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Ajiaco
Colombia's soul-restoring chicken soup — three varieties of potato slowly melt into a silky broth with corn and guascas herb, garnished with cream and capers.
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