CarneAtlas

Cabeza de cerdovsPork cheek

pork · Approximate equivalent

These cuts are approximate equivalents — similar in character but with meaningful differences in preparation or exact cut.

Anatomical subset — the cheek (cachete / carrillada / guancia) is part of the head, butchered out separately and sold as the most-prized portion.

Translation takeaway

These are related cuts, but not perfect swaps. Use the table below to judge how close your local option is before buying.

Open Cabeza de cerdoOpen Pork cheekSee substitutes
Keep this comparisonSave Cabeza de cerdo and Pork cheek together for shopping, cooking notes, and future reference.
Cabeza de cerdo
Pork · Head

The whole pork head — a foundational ingredient in nose-to-tail butchery worldwide and the source of multiple regional specialties. In Mexico, the head goes into *carnitas*…

HeadBladeArm ShoulderLoinLegRibsBellyHock
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Pork cheek
Pork · Jowl

Pork jowl is the cheek of the pig, a fatty, well-marbled cut with a silky texture when cured or braised. When cured it becomes guanciale, the Italian cured meat essential to…

HeadBladeArm ShoulderLoinLegRibsBellyHock
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Names by country

CountryCabeza de cerdoPork cheek
🇺🇸United StatesPig headPork jowl
🇬🇧United KingdomPig headPork cheek
🇫🇷FranceTête de porcJoue de porc
🇪🇸SpainCarrillada de cerdo
🇦🇷ArgentinaCarrillada de cerdo
🇲🇽MexicoCabeza de cerdoCachete de cerdo
🇵🇹PortugalCabeça de porcoBochecha de porco
🇧🇷BrazilCabeça de porcoBochecha suína
🇮🇹ItalyTesta di maialeGuancia di maiale
🇩🇪GermanySchweinekopfSchweinebäckchen

Cook either one well

Beef braise in an unbranded Dutch oven

$$ · braised beef, lamb neck, pot roasts, and stews

Turn a tough cut tender in one pot

Browning meat on the stovetop, then braising it slowly in the oven.

Lodge 6-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven

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