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Pilar's Chilean Food & Garden

Pilar's Chilean Food & Garden

A recipe blog by a Chilean living in the USA

  • Chilean
    • Chilean Appetizers & Beverages
    • Chilean Breads
    • Chilean Breakfast
    • Chilean Cakes & Bakes
    • Chilean Cookies & Candy
    • Chilean Desserts
    • Chilean Jams & Jellies
    • Chilean Meat
    • Chilean Once
    • Chilean Pasta, Rice & Potatoes
    • Chilean Poultry
    • Chilean Salads
    • Chilean Sandwich
    • Chilean Seafood
    • Chilean Soups & Starters
    • Chilean Vegetables
  • Other Cuisines
    • Argentinian Food
    • Peruvian Food
    • US American food
    • Mexican food
    • Latin American Food
  • Savory
    • Breakfast
      • Eggs
    • Appetizers
      • Cocktails
    • Entrees
      • Beef
      • Empanadas (EN)
      • Chicken
      • Fish
      • Pork
      • Shellfish
        • Langostino Recipes
    • Side dishes
      • Pasta
      • Rice
      • Potatoes
    • Vegetables
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches (en)
    • Soups
    • Breads
  • Sweet
    • Cakes & Bakes
    • Kuchen
    • Candy
    • Chocolate
    • Cookies
    • Cupcakes
    • Desserts
      • Lucuma Recipes
    • Jam, Frosting & Jellies
    • Pies
    • Sweet bread
  • Gardening
  • Español

Chilean recipes

The way Chileans eats is organized around seasons and local products. Most Chilean foods are simple and vegetable-forward (meat was and still is expensive). Flavors are mild. At many houses and restaurants, you will see a bottle of hot sauce (also mild if you compare it to the USA/Mexican taste) to add some spiciness to your plate.

What is traditional Chilean food?

Most traditional dishes are traced to Colonial times when the Spaniards occupied Chile (1598-1810). Native to Chile are corn, potatoes, and squash. The Spaniards introduced beef and sugar. True melting occurred.

The dish currently considered the oldest and still made (but with variations) in Chilean homes is Charquicán ( a potato, squash stew).

Other traditional dishes are Pastel de Choclo (Corn and meat pie), Empanadas de Pino (beef and onion empanadas), Pollo Arvejado (Peas and carrots chicken stew), and Costillar de Chancho (Spicy Spare ribs).

Chicken and pork are cheaper proteins and very appreciated by Chileans. Pork is called Chancho, and many festivals and emblematic dishes celebrate it.

What time do Chileans eat?

Breakfast is quick and small. It can be on the go between 6 am and 9 am. You can read more about Chilean Breakfast here.

Lunch during the work week depends on each person’s routine. Lunch on weekends, vacations, and holidays is a communal affair and the most important meal of the day. Usually, it starts around 1 or 2 pm and can take several hours. It’s common to have “algo para picar” (small appetizer) and a cocktail Pisco Sour or wine punches (borgoña). The main dish, several salads, and sauces like Pebre and bread are also usually on the table. And dessert (read more about Chilean desserts here).

In the afternoon, the Chilean favorite meal is called Once (like a big tea service with bread and sweets). Often during the work week is Once-Comida (tea and dinner with some leftover food). The timing for once varieties but around 7 or 8 pm is traditional.

What drinks are popular in Chile?

For breakfast and Once, coffee and tea are popular. For lunch and dinner, sodas, fruit juices, and wine. Water is safe to drink in Chile. For special occasions, there are traditional cocktails.

Do not expect to be served a big glass of water with ice at restaurants. And if you ask for water, you will most likely get a small glass with room-temperature water. If you want ice, you must request it.

To explore Chilean food, click on each category or visit our article about the seven must-try dishes in Chile.

Chilean Breakfast

Tortilla de Rescoldo Chilean Food

Chilean Bread

Asado Chilean Food

Chilean Meat

Manzana rallada Chilean Food

Chilean Desserts

Chacarero Chilean sandwich

Chilean Sandwiches

Once chilena

Chilean Once

Locos con Mayo Chilean food

Chilean Seafood

Torta Mil hojas

Chilean Cakes & Bakes

Pollo arvejado

Chilean Poultry

Chilean Feria Farmers Market

Chilean Salads

Jugos Naturales Chilean Food

Chilean Appetizers & Beverages

Ensalada de acelga

Chilean Vegetables

Paila Marina Chilean food

Chilean Soups & Starters

Pastel de papas, receta chilena

Chilean Pasta, Rice & Potatoes

Miel de melón Honeydew syrup

Chilean Jams & Jellies

Berlines Chilean Sweet

Chilean Cookies & Candy

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