CarneAtlas
Flat iron steak

Flat iron steak substitutes

What to use when you can't find Flat iron steak at your butcher

Flat iron steak is the traditional name in United States. Outside that tradition, butchers carry comparable beef cuts under different names — sometimes the same anatomical piece, sometimes a close cousin. The alternatives below are grouped by country so you can match what your local butcher actually carries.

United States

Denver steakapproximate

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.

Mexico

Aguja norteñaapproximate

Both are chuck primal steaks; flat iron is from the top blade (infraspinatus) while aguja norteña is from the chuck eye roll

Spain

Secreto ibéricoapproximate

Both are hidden, unexpectedly tender and well-marbled cuts — secreto from the pork shoulder blade and flat iron from the beef chuck blade — suited to quick, high-heat cooking.

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