The Chilean rumano completo is a sandwich made with a garlic-seasoned patty of equal parts ground beef and pork, served in a toasted pan frica with a rustic homemade tomato sauce, sauerkraut, and mayonnaise. It takes 45 minutes of preparation plus 20 minutes of cooking and serves 4 people.
It appears to have originally been a sandwich exclusive to the Fuente Alemana, near Plaza Italia in Santiago de Chile.
How to Make a Chilean Rumano Completo?
The rumano is a burger that mixes ground beef and pork in equal parts, seasoned with garlic, pepper, and salt. A lightly cooked tomato sauce is made first, then the patties are shaped, seared on a griddle, and served with sauerkraut and mayonnaise.
Nutritional Information
Each rumano completo contains approximately 800 kcal, 60 g of carbohydrates, 45 g of fat, 35 g of protein, 5 g of fiber, 5 g of sugars, 120 mg of cholesterol, and 1,200 mg of sodium. These values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes.
Homemade Chilean Rumano Completo Recipe
Preparation: 45 minutes
Cooking: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients
Sandwich
- 4 pan frica buns
- Mayonnaise
- Sauerkraut
Tomato Sauce
- 3 ripe tomatoes
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon of sugar
- Sunflower oil
- Fine salt
Rumano Patties
- 400 g (14 oz) of ground beef
- 400 g (14 oz) of ground pork
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 2 teaspoons of salt
- 1 teaspoon of pepper
- Sunflower oil
Instructions
- Wash the tomatoes well, peel them, and dice them small. In a medium skillet, heat a splash of oil and fry the chopped onion with a pinch of salt until translucent. Add the tomatoes and sugar and cook slowly over low heat, stirring constantly, until it becomes a sauce. Let it cool and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the ground beef and pork with the salt, freshly ground pepper, and finely chopped garlic. Knead well to distribute the seasonings and chill for about 30 minutes. Divide the mixture into 200 g (7 oz) portions and shape them into patties about 2 cm (3/4 in) wider than the bun, so they shrink to the same size as they cook.
- Heat the griddle to high, add a splash of oil, and sear the patties on both sides. Lower the heat and cook for about 5 minutes more, until cooked through. Toast the cut sides of the buns on the griddle, place the bottom half on a plate, add the patty, and top with tomato sauce, 2 tablespoons of sauerkraut, and 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise. Close gently with the top half and serve right away.
Additional Tips
Make the patty larger than the bun
Shaping it 2 cm wider than the bun means it still covers the bread after shrinking from the loss of fat and water.
Toast the inside of the bun
Toasting the cut sides adds flavor and creates a barrier that keeps the bread from getting soggy with the sauce and sauerkraut.
Drain the sauerkraut
Drain it well before using, and rinse it briefly in cold water if you prefer it less sour.
| Original ingredient | Substitute | Ratio | Flavor note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pan frica | Brioche or burger bun | 1:1 | Softer, sweeter |
| Ground pork | Fattier ground beef (20%) | 1:1 | Less juicy, beefier |
| Homemade tomato sauce | Fresh chopped tomato | 1:1 | Fresher, less cooked |
| Sauerkraut | Pickled cabbage | 1:1 | Milder acidity |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why mix beef and pork?
Beef gives the intense meaty flavor, while pork, with more fat, keeps the patty juicy so it does not dry out on the griddle.
2. Can I use ketchup instead of the homemade sauce?
You can, but the rustic, lightly cooked sauce of tomato, onion, and a touch of sugar gives the fresh flavor and look that define the rumano.
3. How should I prepare the sauerkraut?
Drain it well so the liquid does not soak the bun, and rinse it lightly with cold water if you want it less sour.
4. What bread is used for a rumano?
It is served in pan frica, the soft, round Chilean burger bun, toasted on the cut sides.
What Is a Rumano Completo?
The rumano completo is a Chilean burger-style sandwich made with a beef and pork patty, homemade tomato sauce, sauerkraut, and mayonnaise, closely associated with the Fuente Alemana in Santiago.
The Fuente Alemana
The Fuente Alemana is a classic Santiago sandwich shop near Plaza Italia, known for its lomitos, churrascos, and generous sandwiches assembled at the counter in front of customers.
Did You Know?
The name of the sandwich is said to refer to Romania and the Transylvania of the Dracula legend, probably because of the reddish, juicy look of its tomato sauce.
How to adapt this recipe to a vegan or vegetarian version?
How to adapt this recipe to a gluten-free version?
How to adapt this recipe to a keto (ketogenic) version?
Recommended
- Chilean Pan Frica Burger Bun
- Chilean Completo Hot Dog
- Chilean Gorda Completa Sandwich
- Chilean Fricandela Burger
