salsa barbacoa
/ˌsalsa baɾbaˈkoa/
The English phrase "barbecue sauce" is translated into Spanish as salsa barbacoa.
The term refers to a thick, sweet and smoky condiment used for grilling or dipping food.
Which one should you use?
While salsa barbacoa is the standard term, you may also encounter the informal abbreviation Salsa BBQ, which mirrors the English acronym.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the term salsa criolla is often used to refer to a sauce that accompanies barbecued meats.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌsalsa baɾbaˈkoa/
Did you know?
- The term barbacoa was adopted into the English language via the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, making it one of the few words where the Spanish-influenced term became the standard English word for the cooking method.
- While salsa barbacoa is a condiment, the word barbacoa on its own often refers to a specific traditional Mexican dish of slow-cooked meat steamed in a pit.
- The word barbacoa comes from the Taíno word for a 'framework of sticks' used by indigenous people to sleep on or cure meat.
Examples in context
- Mi máscara huele a salsa barbacoa.My mask smells like barbecue sauce.This sentence is useful for describing how something smells of salsa barbacoa.Tatoeba #11121805 by DJ_Saidez, translation #10676652 by DJ_Saidez
- Cuando vayas al restaurante, asegúrate de pedir salsa de barbacoa para tus costillas.When you go to the restaurant, make sure to order barbecue sauce for your ribs.
- Oye, ¿tienes salsa BBQ para acompañar estas deliciosas hamburguesas?Hey, do you have barbecue sauce to accompany these delicious burgers?
- Me gusta la salsa barbacoa muy dulce.I like very sweet barbecue sauce.
- ¿Tienes salsa barbacoa para las alitas?Do you have barbecue sauce for the wings?
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are preparing food for a party.
- ElenaMateo, ¿dónde está la salsa barbacoa?Mateo, where is the barbecue sauce?
- MateoEstá en la mesa de la cocina, Elena.It is on the kitchen table, Elena.
- ElenaGracias, voy a ponerle salsa barbacoa al pollo.Thanks, I'm going to put barbecue sauce on the chicken.
- MateoPerfecto, seguro que queda muy rico.Perfect, I'm sure it will be delicious.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry salsa barbacoa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries barbacoa, salsa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
