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Denver steakvsFlat iron steak

beef · Approximate equivalent

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

Both are tender chuck cuts identified by US butchers in the 2000s — flat iron is from the top blade (above the chuck), Denver is from the under-blade. Comparable in tenderness and flavour.

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 Denver steakOpen Flat iron steakSee substitutes
Keep this comparisonSave Denver steak and Flat iron steak together for shopping, cooking notes, and future reference.
Denver steak
Beef · Chuck

An 'innovation cut' identified by the US Beef Checkoff in 2009, sliced from the under-blade of the chuck (the serratus ventralis muscle). The fourth-most-tender muscle in the…

TenderloinRoundBottom SirloinRibPlateChuckShort LoinBrisketFlankSirloinShankShank
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Flat iron steak
Beef · Chuck

The flat iron is cut from the top blade muscle of the chuck, separated from the tough connective tissue running through the center. It is one of the most tender cuts on the animal …

TenderloinRoundBottom SirloinRibPlateChuckShort LoinBrisketFlankSirloinShankShank
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Names by country

CountryDenver steakFlat iron steak
🇺🇸United StatesDenver steakFlat iron steak
🇬🇧United KingdomDenver steakFlat iron steak
🇫🇷FranceOnglet de palette
🇪🇸SpainDenverFilete de paleta
🇦🇷ArgentinaDenverPaleta mariposa
🇲🇽MexicoDenverFilete de paleta
🇵🇹PortugalDenver
🇧🇷BrazilDenverBife de paleta
🇮🇹ItalyDenverPolpa di spalla
🇩🇪GermanyDenver-SteakFlat-Iron-Steak

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