
Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Salta, Salta, Argentina
1. Empanadas Salteñas
A rich, spicy empanada with a unique yellow dough and thick, flavorful filling. Try them at La Casona de la Abuela.
- Yellow Dough: The yellow color is due to the addition of annatto seed.
- Thick Filling: Unlike other empanadas, Salteñas have a thicker filling made from beef, chicken or pork.
- Spicy: Salteñas are typically spicier than regular empanadas.
2. Hilacha de carne
A hearty stew made from beef shank and vegetables. It's best enjoyed at Casa Baratucci.
- Beef Shank: The use of beef shank makes the dish tender and flavorful.
- Long Cooking Time: The long cooking time allows the flavors to develop fully.
- Local Vegetables: The addition of local vegetables enhances the taste of the dish.
3. Locro de carne
A thick soup made from hominy, corn, beef, and squash. Visit Mercado Central for a taste.
- Hominy: Hominy gives the soup a unique texture.
- Thick Soup: Locro de carne is thicker than other soups, making it filling and hearty.
- Seasonal Squash: The use of seasonal squash adds a touch of local flavor to the soup.
4. Cazuela Salteña
A traditional dish made with lamb, potatoes, and pumpkin. It's a must-try at El Solar de la Fama.
- Lamb: The use of lamb gives the dish a strong, gamey flavor.
- Pumpkin: The pumpkin adds sweetness to balance the strong flavors.
- Casserole Cooking: The casserole cooking method ensures that all ingredients are well-cooked and flavorful.
5. Choripán
A simple yet delicious dish consisting of a chorizo sausage on a crusty roll with chimichurri sauce. Try it at Choripan Mister Titu.
- Chimichurri Sauce: The tangy, herby chimichurri sauce adds a unique twist to the dish.
- Crusty Roll: The crusty roll absorbs the flavors of the chorizo and chimichurri.
- Street Food: Choripán is a popular street food in Salta.
6. Cañón de Sobremesa
A unique dessert made from flour, sugar, and water. It's best tasted at La Casona del Molino.
- Simple Ingredients: Despite its simplicity, Cañón de Sobremesa is a delightful dessert.
- Unique Shape: The dish is shaped like a tunnel or 'cañón', making it visually appealing.
- Traditional Recipe: The recipe for Cañón de Sobremesa has been passed down through generations.
7. Tortilla Salteña
A thick, savory pancake filled with ground beef and potatoes. Try it at La Fonda de los Toldos.
- Thick Pancake: The tortilla is thicker than regular pancakes, making it more filling.
- Ground Beef and Potatoes: The filling of ground beef and potatoes gives the tortilla a hearty flavor.
- Local Ingredients: The use of local ingredients ensures that the tortilla has a distinct taste.
8. Pastelitos de Yuca
Small pastries made from yuca flour and filled with sweet corn. They're a delight at La Fonda del Campo.
- Yuca Flour: The use of yuca flour gives the pastries a unique texture.
- Small Size: The small size makes them perfect for snacking or as a side dish.
- Sweet Corn Filling: The sweet corn filling contrasts beautifully with the savory dishes.
9. Picante de Corazón
A spicy dish made from beef heart and potatoes. It's best enjoyed at El Sitio del Güiso.
- Beef Heart: The use of beef heart makes the dish rich in flavor.
- Spicy: The dish is spicy, catering to those who enjoy a kick.
- Local Ingredients: The use of local ingredients enhances the taste of the dish.
10. Sopa de Maitía
A refreshing soup made from maitía flowers and corn. Enjoy it at La Fonda del Mercado.
- Maitía Flowers: The use of maitía flowers gives the soup a unique flavor.
- Refreshing: The soup is refreshing, making it ideal for hot days.
- Local Ingredient: Maitía flowers are native to the area and add a touch of local flavor.
11. Pastel de Tres Leches
A sweet dessert made from three types of milk. It's a must-try at La Casona de la Abuela.
- Three Types of Milk: The use of three types of milk makes the dessert rich and creamy.
- Light and Fluffy: The sponge cake is light and fluffy, making it a delightful end to a meal.
- Traditional Recipe: The recipe for Pastel de Tres Leches has been passed down through generations.
12. Cazuela de Llama
A traditional dish cooked in a clay pot over hot coals. It's best tasted at La Fonda del Campo.
- Clay Pot Cooking: The cooking method ensures that all ingredients are well-cooked and flavorful.
- Llama Coals: Cooking with llama coals imparts a unique smoky flavor to the dish.
- Local Ingredients: The use of local ingredients enhances the taste of the dish.
13. Hierbas de la Montaña
A strong, herbal liqueur made from local mountain herbs. It's best sampled at El Sitio del Güiso.
- Local Herbs: The use of local herbs gives the liqueur a unique flavor.
- Strength: Hierbas de la Montaña is strong, making it best enjoyed in small quantities.
- Traditional Recipe: The recipe for Hierbas de la Montaña has been passed down through generations.
14. Hornos Salteños
Traditional clay ovens where local dishes are cooked. Visit El Solar de la Fama to see and taste the results.
- Clay Oven Cooking: The cooking method ensures that all ingredients are well-cooked and flavorful.
- Local Dishes: Hornos Salteños are used to cook traditional Salta dishes.
- Traditional Method: The use of clay ovens is a traditional method of cooking that has been passed down through generations.
15. Pastel de Choclo con Vino Tinto
A unique dish made from corn and beef, served with red wine. It's a specialty at La Fonda del Mercado.
- Corn and Beef: The combination of corn and beef gives the dish a hearty flavor.
- Red Wine: The red wine adds a unique twist to the dish.
- Local Ingredients: The use of local ingredients enhances the taste of the dish.