The Complete Guide to Argentine BBQ Sides and Accompaniments
A great asado is about more than just the meat. The sides and accompaniments are what take a good BBQ and turn it into a proper Argentine experience. Here's everything you need on the table alongside your cuts.
## Chimichurri — Non-Negotiable
If there's one thing you absolutely cannot skip at an Argentine BBQ, it's chimichurri. This classic herb sauce made with parsley, garlic, oregano, red wine vinegar and olive oil is the condiment that ties everything together.
It goes on everything — chorizos, entraña, vacío, bread. Some people marinate their meat in it beforehand, others use it as a table sauce. Either way, no asado is complete without it.
At Achura we stock several chimichurri options — from Byron Bay mild and hot versions to SurDirect's artisanal chimichurri. Find the one that suits your heat preference and stock up.
## Provoleta — Grilled Cheese Done Right
Provoleta is grilled provolone cheese — and if you haven't had it at an asado, you're missing out. A thick slice of provolone goes directly on the grill, melts from the inside out and develops a beautiful golden crust on the bottom.
Serve it as a starter while the main cuts are cooking. Add a drizzle of chimichurri on top and it's one of the great pleasures of Argentine BBQ. Available fresh at Achura.
## Pan — The Bread
Good crusty bread is essential at an asado, and not just as a side. You need it for the choripán — the Argentine chorizo sandwich that serves as the starter while the main event cooks.
Split a fresh chorizo lengthways, tuck it into a crusty roll and top with chimichurri. That's a choripán, and it's Argentina's greatest contribution to street food.
## Ensalada Mixta — Keep it Simple
The salad at an Argentine asado is deliberately simple — dressed green leaves, tomato, maybe some onion and a splash of olive oil and vinegar. Nothing complicated. The idea is to balance the richness of the meat, not compete with it.
A simple green salad or tomato and onion salad is all you need. Keep it light, keep it fresh.
## Papas al Horno — Roast Potatoes
Roasted potatoes cooked in the oven or wrapped in foil on the grill are a staple Argentine BBQ side. Season them with olive oil, garlic and rosemary, wrap in foil and throw them on the cooler part of the grill while your meat cooks. Simple and delicious.
## Pickles and Olives
A good spread of pickles and olives on the table adds a briny, acidic counterpoint to the richness of the meat. At Achura we stock spicy garlic pickles, sweet and spicy pickles and both plain and mixed olives — perfect for grazing while you wait for the main cuts to come off the grill.
## The Drinks
An Argentine asado calls for an Argentine Malbec — full bodied, fruity and perfect with red meat. For a more casual afternoon, a cold beer works just as well. And of course, mate throughout the day if you're doing it properly.
## Get Everything at Achura
Most of what you need for the perfect asado spread is available at Achura Meat Market in Brookvale — chimichurri, provoleta, olives, pickles and all the Argentine pantry staples you need alongside your fresh cuts.
📍 U4/722 Pittwater Rd, Brookvale
🛒 Order online at achura.com.au