barbacoa
/baɾbaˈkoa/
barbacoa is the Spanish word for a grill or a frame used for cooking food over an open fire.
The term refers to the apparatus used in open-fire cooking. In certain regions, especially in Mexico, barbacoa is referred to as carne de fosa.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, particularly in Mexico, barbacoa is referred to as carne de fosa.
How do you pronounce it?
/baɾbaˈkoa/
Did you know?
- Long before it meant a cooking grill, the Taíno word barbakoa referred to a raised wooden platform used for sleeping or curing meat.
- While barbacoa usually means a grill, in some historical contexts it could refer to a protective screen or a type of fortification.
- Traditional Mexican barbacoa is often cooked using agave leaves to wrap the meat and keep it moist during the steaming process.
Examples in context
- ¿Has probado las carnitas? Son muy similares a la barbacoa mexicana.Have you tried carnitas? They are very similar to Mexican barbacoa.
- Limpiamos la barbacoa después de la fiesta.We clean the grill after the party.
- Necesitamos una barbacoa nueva para el jardín.We need a new grill for the garden.
- La barbacoa está lista para cocinar la carne.The grill is ready to cook the meat.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are preparing for a backyard meal.
- Lucía¿Dónde dejaste la barbacoa, Javier?Where did you leave the grill, Javier?
- JavierEstá en el garaje, Lucía.It is in the garage, Lucía.
- LucíaPerfecto, voy a sacarla ahora.Perfect, I'm going to take it out now.
- JavierYo te ayudo con la barbacoa.I will help you with the grill.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry barbacoa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries barbacoa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
