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Cabeza de res

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

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

Similar cuts

Cabeza de cerdo
Cabeza de cerdoapproximate

Same conceptual cut on a different animal — beef head vs pork head. Both are nose-to-tail preparations that yield multiple sub-products (cheeks, tongue, jowl meat).

TenderloinRoundBottom SirloinRibPlateChuckShort LoinBrisketFlankSirloinShankShank

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…

View full recipe →

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