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Cabeza de res

Beef · Various
Braise

Cabeza de res is commonly used as-is in English; the closest equivalent depends on the butchery tradition.

Also called
🇫🇷Tête de bœuf
Raw Cabeza de res — Beef Various cut

Balintawak, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons — Cabeza-tacos-2018.jpg

Cabeza de res refers to the meat from the head of the cow, encompassing the cheeks, temples, and other facial muscles. It is a prized taco filling in Mexico, slowly braised until fall-apart tender. Each part of the head has a slightly different texture and richness. It is deeply embedded in Mexican street food culture, particularly in tacos de cabeza.

Names by country

CountryNameNotes
🇲🇽MexicoCabeza de resprimaryA traditional Mexican taco filling, slow-steamed and served with cilantro and onion
🇫🇷FranceTête de bœuf
What to ask for
Shopping outside the tradition Cabeza de res comes from?

Similar cuts

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TenderloinRoundBottom SirloinRibPlateChuckShort LoinBrisketFlankSirloinShankShank

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Classic recipe

Barbacoa de Cabeza8 hr

Cabeza de res — whole beef head wrapped in agave leaves and slow-cooked in an underground pit — is one of the most ancie…

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Sources