--- title: "Traditional Chilean Barros Luco Recipe: The President’s Sandwich" description: "The Barros Luco is one of Chile's most highly regarded sandwiches, and its name is inspired by President Ramón Barros Luco who was one of the most frequent customers at Confitería Torres in Santiago, Chile." url: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/barros-luco-sandwich/ date: 2024-02-01 modified: 2026-01-22 author: "Carlos Uhart M." image: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Chilean-Barros-Luco-Sandwich-Recipe.jpg categories: ["Sandwiches"] tags: ["Sandwiches"] type: post lang: en --- # Traditional Chilean Barros Luco Recipe: The President’s Sandwich [Versión en Español](https://comidaschilenas.com/receta-barros-luco/) ![A traditional Chilean Barros Luco sandwich featuring seared beef and melted buttery cheese on a toasted marraqueta roll.](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Chilean-Barros-Luco-Sandwich-Recipe.jpg) The Barros Luco is one of Chile’s most highly regarded sandwiches, and its name is inspired by President Ramón Barros Luco, who was one of the most frequent customers at Confitería Torres in Santiago, Chile, where he consistently ordered the same combination of bread, grilled beef, and melted cheese. ## Nutrition Facts Each serving of a Barros Luco sandwich contains approximately 650 kcal, 40 g proteins, 35 g total fats, 120 mg cholesterol, 50 g carbohydrates, 3 g sugars, and 1,000 mg sodium. (*) (*) Values may vary depending on the specific fat content of the beef and the type of buttery cheese used. ## How to Make a Traditional Barros Luco In the Barros Luco sandwich, the combination of beef and cheese on toasted bread soaked in the juices of the grilled meat is simply magnificent. Its relatively affordable price quickly made it a favorite among Chileans, and its name has become immortalized in the country’s culinary history. **Preparation:** 20 minutes **Cooking:** 5 minutes **Servings:** 2 people ### Ingredients - 400 g of sliced beef - 2 marraqueta bread - 4 slices of buttery cheese - Oil - Salt - Pepper ### Instructions 1. Cut the marraquetas or burger buns in half and preheat them in the oven or using a toaster. Set them aside. In a large skillet, add a splash of oil, heat it over medium-high heat, and cook the beef for 2 to 3 minutes per side until it’s well-seared and golden. Keep it warm. ![Thinly sliced beef (churrasco style) being seared in a hot skillet for a Barros Luco sandwich.](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Thin-slices-of-beef-300x193.jpg) 1. Reduce the heat, and in the same skillet over medium heat, place the cheese slices until they melt, being careful not to let them burn. Soak the marraquetas in the meat juices and assemble the beef on the bottom half of each marraqueta. ![Freshly baked Chilean marraqueta bread rolls, sliced and ready to be toasted and soaked in meat juices.](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Chilean-Marraqueta-Bread-Recipe-300x197.jpg) 1. Spread the melted cheese on top and seal the sandwiches with the other halves of the bread. Serve the Barros Luco sandwiches immediately, often accompanied by a freshly brewed cup of coffee. ## Keys for a Perfect Barros Luco - **Cheese Management:** Use a “buttery” style cheese (like Chanco or Mantecoso) and melt it over medium heat to avoid burning the milk solids, ensuring a smooth, elastic texture that drapes over the meat. - **Bread Integrity:** Toasting the marraqueta before soaking it is crucial. This provides a crispy structural “shell” that prevents the bread from becoming soggy or falling apart after absorbing the meat juices. ![A block of traditional Chilean Mantecoso cheese, a semi-soft and creamy buttery cheese ideal for melting in sandwiches like the Barros Luco.](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/mantecoso-Cheese-300x193.webp) ## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ### 1. What is the best type of bread for a Barros Luco? The traditional choice is the marraqueta. Its airy crumb is perfect for absorbing juices, while its crusty exterior provides a necessary crunch. Burger buns can be used as a substitute, but they lack the traditional texture. ### 2. Which cut of beef is recommended? Thinly sliced cuts like top sirloin (posta rosada) or tenderloin are ideal. The meat should be sliced very thin (churrasco style) to ensure it cooks quickly and is easy to bite through. ### 3. Can I add other condiments like mayo or mustard? While a traditional Barros Luco relies solely on the flavors of the beef and cheese, many modern diners add homemade mayonnaise. However, to stay true to the original recipe ordered by the President, it should be served “solo.” ### 4. Why is it often served with coffee? The bitterness of a freshly brewed cup of black coffee provides a sharp contrast to the rich, salty profile of the melted cheese and beef, making it a favorite pairing for a mid-morning or late-afternoon meal (once). ## History and Origin of Barros Luco This famous Chilean sandwich is named after President Ramón Barros Luco, who would consistently order this combination of bread, thin slices of beef, and melted cheese every time he visited Confitería Torres in downtown Santiago, Chile. ## Did You Know? A modern variation of the Barros Luco is the “Brazilian” sandwich, popular among Chilean truck drivers. In addition to the classic combination of beef and cheese, it includes mashed avocado, creating the iconic colors of the Brazilian flag, from which it gets its name. ## Recommended - [Octopus ceviche recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/octopus-ceviche-recipe/) - [Mapuche sopaipillas](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/homemade-mapuche-potato-sopaipillas/) - [Breaded goat cheese](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/breaded-goat-cheese-with-merken/) - [Avocado with chicken](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/recipe-for-stuffed-avocado-with-chicken/)