Batiburrillo
A stew of beef offal with green pepper and hot chili, the emblem of San Juan Bautista (Misiones).
What it is
Beef liver, kidney, tripe, tongue and heart are boiled for hours and then stewed with green bell pepper, onion, garlic, black pepper and hot chili in an iron pot over espinillo firewood; the liver goes in about twenty minutes before the end. It is intense, spicy and delicious for anyone who enjoys offal. In San Juan Bautista it is served at birthdays, weddings and celebrations, and it has its own festival.
Ingredients
History
It was introduced to San Juan Bautista by the Basque immigrant Sebastián Sasiaín Zubillaga, who arrived in 1926: at first he made it with lamb, and by the 1930s it had switched to beef offal. Since the 1990s it has been counted among the country’s traditional dishes.
Did you know…?
The Batiburrillo, Siriki and Chorizo Sanjuanino Festival draws thousands to Plaza Boquerón; in January 2026 it held its 25th edition.
When
Family celebrations; the festival in late January.
Where
San Juan Bautista (Misiones); La Finca Misionera in Asunción.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 3 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.