Locro
Argentina's beloved national stew, Locro, is a hearty and comforting dish featuring tender corn, creamy white beans, and a rich blend of pork, beef, and squash, all simmered to perfection and traditionally topped with a vibrant salsa criolla. It's a staple for celebrations, especially on May 25th.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Dried white corn (mote)(Also known as hominy. If using fresh or frozen mote, reduce soaking time and cooking time accordingly.)
- 250 g Dried white beans (e.g., navy or cannellini)(Ensure beans are well-rinsed before soaking.)
- 500 g Pork ribs(Cut into individual ribs.)
- 500 g Beef brisket(Cut into large chunks.)
- 300 g Chorizo(Argentine-style chorizo, or a good quality, firm pork sausage. Remove casing if desired.)
- 500 g Butternut squash(Peeled, seeded, and cut into large cubes (about 2-inch pieces).)
- 2 large Yellow onions(Finely chopped.)
- 4 cloves Garlic(Minced.)
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds(Toasted and ground, or use ground cumin.)
- 1 tbsp Sweet paprika
- 2 Bay leaves
- 2 liters Water or Broth(Or enough to cover ingredients generously.)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- For Salsa Criolla:(Optional, but highly recommended.)
- 1 medium Red bell pepper(Finely diced.)
- 1/2 medium Yellow onion(Finely diced.)
- 4 stalks Scallions (green parts only)(Finely chopped.)
- 4 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Red wine vinegar
- 1/4 tsp Chili flakes (optional)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the corn and beans: Rinse the dried white corn (mote) and white beans thoroughly under cold water. Place them in separate large bowls and cover generously with cold water. Let them soak overnight (at least 12 hours). Drain and rinse again before cooking.
⏱️ 12 hours (soaking) - 2
Start the stew base: In a very large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, combine the soaked and drained corn and beans. Add the pork ribs, beef brisket, chopped onions, minced garlic, ground cumin, paprika, and bay leaves. Pour in enough water or broth to cover all ingredients by at least 2 inches. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat, then immediately reduce heat to low.
⏱️ 30 minutes (initial boil and simmer) - 3
Simmer the meats and grains: Cover the pot and let the stew simmer gently over low heat for 3 hours. Stir occasionally, scraping the bottom to prevent sticking. The meats should become tender, and the corn and beans will start to soften and thicken the broth.
⏱️ 3 hours - 4
Add squash and chorizo: Add the cubed butternut squash and the chorizo (whole or sliced) to the pot. Ensure there's enough liquid to cover; add more water or broth if necessary. Continue to simmer, covered, for another 1 hour, or until the squash is very tender and easily mashable, and the chorizo is cooked through. The stew should be very thick and creamy. If it's too thin, you can mash some of the squash against the side of the pot to help thicken it.
⏱️ 1 hour - 5
Season and rest: Remove the bay leaves. Taste the locro and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. The flavors will meld further if you let the stew rest off the heat for about 15-20 minutes before serving. Some prefer to remove the meats and chorizo, shred or slice them, and return them to the pot, or serve them separately.
⏱️ 15-20 minutes (resting) - 6
Prepare the Salsa Criolla (optional): While the locro rests, combine the finely diced red bell pepper, onion, and scallions in a small bowl. Whisk together the olive oil and red wine vinegar, then pour over the vegetables. Add chili flakes if using. Season with a pinch of salt and mix well. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes for the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 7
Serve: Ladle the hot locro into deep bowls. Top each serving with a generous spoonful of the salsa criolla. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The stew should have a very thick, almost porridge-like consistency. If it's too thin, mash some of the squash against the side of the pot or simmer uncovered for a short while.
- ✓Locro is traditionally prepared for Argentina's National Day on May 25th, symbolizing unity and abundance.
- ✓This stew famously tastes even better the next day, as the flavors have more time to meld. Reheat gently on the stovetop.
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can brown the pork ribs and beef brisket before adding them to the pot.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- For a richer, more traditional version, add beef tripe (cooked separately first) and morcilla (blood sausage) during the last hour of cooking.
- Vegetarian/Vegan: Omit the meats and chorizo. Use vegetable broth and add more hearty vegetables like pumpkin, sweet potato, or corn on the cob for texture and flavor.