Typical food of Salta

It is popular knowledge that in the province of Salta you can taste many of the most delicious dishes in Argentina. Not surprisingly, this destination is one of the most requested by lovers of good gastronomy and those curious who are ready to try different local dishes directly from their roots. So that you have a reference before traveling to this destination, we present you the protagonists of the typical food of Salta.

•         BORI BORI

Bori Bori is a typical recipe of salteña homebased chicken. In general, it is consumed as lunch and among its ingredients we can find, besides the chicken: corn flour, tomato, onion, garlic, cheese, parsley, oregano, red pepper and coriander. 

It is a thick broth with chicken and cornmeal and cheese balls a very popular recipe in the region. There are several places where you can taste Bori Bori, learn about the options in our article on the best 6 restaurants in Salta.

•         LOCRO

Without a doubt, another of the most popular dishes in Salta is Locro. It consists of a kind of stew of corn, meat and fat cow tripe, which includes yellow squash and a touch of pork with everything and bones. 

Generally, a sauce is added that is prepared with sautéed fat with bell peppers and cut green onion. Locro is an ideal food for the coldest days, but in Salta it is consumed throughout the year. 

To make the experience of your palate much more pleasant, we recommend accompanying this delicacy with one of the famous Salta wines produced in Cafayate, it is the perfect combination. If you want to know more about Cafayate and its wine production, you can consult our article on the best wine cellars in Salta. 

•         TAMALES

Tamales are a dough filled with very tasty ingredients -such as beef or pork- steamed, previously covered and tied with husk leaves. The preparation is based on corn flour and one of the main cuts used is cow’s head. You can also add other ingredients that enhance the flavor: spices, pepper, butter, pumpkin, onion, beef fat, tomato extract, olives and raisins. Do not forget to try this typical food of Salta. 

•         HUMITAS

Typical dish from Salta, although it is consumed in other parts of the country with its variants. Basically, the humita consists of young corn or corn cooked with basil, green onion (or common onion), bell pepper, green pepper, ground chili, paprika, goat cheese and salt. 

Cooking is done in a pot of boiling water for about 30 minutes. Previously, the mixture of the ingredients is prepared with the crushed corn and then small portions of the preparation are in the wrapped husks or leaves of the corn. This is how it is brought to a boil! 

Many choose to put the goat cheese on the outside of the preparation so that it melts on top rather than integrating it into the mix, but both ways the humita is delicious. Be sure to try it if you travel to Salta. Being a great classic from this province, you can taste this dish in many of its restaurants.

•         SALTEÑAS PIES 

Salteñas Pies are probably the most famous and revered throughout the country. Its characteristic flavor makes national tourists go in search of this dish again and again. In short, you cannot miss them if you travel to this destination. 

The dough for the empanadas is made with corn flour, pella fat and brine. Very simple, but delicious. Meanwhile, the filling -the tastiest of empanadas- includes: hard-boiled eggs, pella fat, meat cut into small pieces, usually loin, sweet paprika, green onions, common onions, salt and potatoes.

The final part, but as important, is the cooking of the empanadas. There are two options: they can be cooked in clay ovens or they can also be fried, the latter option being the most frequent, although both are equally delicious.

There are many traditional dishes that are delicious, however, these are the most famous and unmissable out of the typical food of Salta. Discover why by tasting each of these during your stay in the province, you will surely want to repeat! It is a matter of organizing your travel itinerary in order to get the most out of your time and, for this, we invite you to consult our travel specialists.