Churrasco is the term used to name a distinctive style to prepare meat inspired by the gauchos. The Gaucho is the equivalent of the North American Cowboy. Gaucho's were generally nomadic people that lived on the pampas, the vast plains of Rio Grande do Sul, the most southern region of Brazil.

A unique type of cooking meat was inspired by the gaucho digging a pit on the ground and starting an open fire where large pieces of meat were roasted in large wood skewers. The roasted meats were served in thin slices repeatedly to everyone sitting around the fire. This feast was complemented with seasonal vegetable dishes using the products they harvested.