asar
/aˈsaɾ/
To broil in Spanish is asar.
The verb asar is used to describe cooking food by direct, radiant heat. While English speakers often use specific words like roast, grill or broil to distinguish between different cooking methods, asar is a broad term that covers all of these techniques.
Meaning: to cook by direct, radiant heat (verb)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, asar is commonly used to describe the act of broiling or grilling. In Spain, the phrase hacer a la brasa is often used to describe broiling or grilling food.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle asado is frequently used as an adjective to describe food that has been roasted or grilled.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈsaɾ/
Did you know?
- While asar means to cook with heat, the expression asar a alguien can be used colloquially in some regions to mean 'to grill' or interrogate someone intensely.
- In Argentina, Uruguay and Chile, an asado is not just a meal but a major social event and cultural ritual. It refers to the entire gathering where friends and family spend hours cooking meat over an open fire.
- In Spanish, the word asado can also describe a state of being extremely hot or scorched, similar to how an English speaker might say they are 'burnt' by the sun.
Examples in context
- Voy a hacer las sardinas a la brasa.I'm going to broil the sardines.
- Necesitas menos tiempo para asar la carne en la parrilla eléctrica.You need less time to broil the meat on an electric grill.
- Voy a asar el pescado en el horno.I am going to broil the fish in the oven.
- Puedes asar la carne para que quede crujiente.You can broil the meat so it gets crispy.
- Prefiero asar las verduras a fuego directo.I prefer to broil the vegetables over direct heat.
Example conversation
María and Mateo are deciding how to cook dinner in their kitchen.
- María¿Quieres asar el salmón en la parte superior del horno?Do you want to broil the salmon in the top of the oven?
- MateoSí, me parece una buena idea, María.Yes, that sounds like a good idea, María.
- MaríaEntonces, voy a preparar la bandeja ahora.Then, I am going to prepare the tray now.
- MateoGracias, yo te ayudaré con la ensalada.Thanks, I will help you with the salad.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry asar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
