Asado al Palo

Name: Asado al Palo
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 240 min
Total time: 260 min
Yield: 10 servings
Cuisine: Chilean
Ingredients: 5kg beef ribs or whole lamb; Coarse salt; Firewood (native hardwood preferred); Water for basting

Asado al Palo (ah-SAH-doh ahl PAH-loh)

Stake-Roasted Beef

⏱ Prep Time 30 min

📈 Difficulty Hard

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 518 kcal

A whole beef rib or lamb roasted vertically on a metal cross (crucero) beside a wood fire, slowly basting in its own juices for hours — Chile's ultimate asado.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 42.0g

Carbs 2.0g

Fat 38.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

gluten-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

metal cross (crucero) firewood long knife

Presentation Guide

Vessel: carved from the cross onto wooden boards

Garnishes: coarse salt, lemon

Accompaniments: pebre, ensalada chilena, red wine

Ingredients

5kg beef ribs or whole lamb
Coarse salt
Firewood (native hardwood preferred)
Water for basting

Instructions

1
Secure the meat on the metal cross (crucero), spreading it open butterfly-style.
2
Build a large wood fire and let it burn down to glowing embers.
3
Plant the cross at an angle beside the fire, about 50cm from the embers.
4
Roast for 3-4 hours, rotating the cross periodically for even cooking.
5
Baste with salted water during cooking. Add more embers as needed.
6
Carve directly from the cross onto plates. Serve with pebre and ensalada chilena.

💡

Did You Know?

During Fiestas Patrias in September, Santiago's Parque O'Higgins hosts hundreds of asado al palo cruceros, filling the city with woodsmoke and roasting meat.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

metal cross (crucero)
firewood
long knife

Garnishing

coarse salt, lemon

Accompaniments

pebre, ensalada chilena, red wine

The Story Behind Asado al Palo

Asado al palo is Chile's most dramatic culinary tradition, roasting meat on a cross-shaped metal frame beside an open fire. This technique comes from the huasos (Chilean cowboys) of the central valley, who cooked this way during cattle drives. It remains the centerpiece of Fiestas Patrias celebrations.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed weekend celebration, fiestas patrias 📜 Origins: Colonial gaucho tradition

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