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Pluma ibérica

Pork · Loin
Grill
Raw Pluma ibérica — Pork Loin cut
Also called
🇺🇸🇬🇧Iberian pluma🇫🇷Plume ibérique🇮🇹Pluma iberica🇩🇪Pluma (Iberico)
→ See all Pluma ibérica substitutes by country

A small, fan-shaped muscle (about 100–150 grams per pig) at the front end of the pork loin where it meets the head, found only on Iberian pigs. Heavily marbled with intramuscular fat, full-flavoured, and traditionally served thick-cut and quickly seared on a plancha to medium-rare. One of the three premium Iberian pork cuts alongside secreto and presa, distinct from both. Best preparations are a la plancha or grilled rare and sliced thin against the grain.

Names by country

CountryNameNotes
🇺🇸United StatesIberian plumaSometimes labelled 'Iberian pork pluma' on US restaurant menus.
🇬🇧United KingdomIberian pluma
🇲🇽MexicoPluma ibérica
🇦🇷ArgentinaPluma ibéricaNot a traditional Argentine cut; appears at high-end Spanish-influenced restaurants.
🇫🇷FrancePlume ibérique
🇪🇸SpainPluma ibéricaprimarySpanish primary; 'pluma' refers to the feather-like fan shape of the muscle.
🇵🇹PortugalPluma ibérica
🇧🇷BrazilPluma ibérica
🇮🇹ItalyPluma ibericaSpanish loanword used in Italian specialty butchers and high-end restaurants.
🇩🇪GermanyPluma (Iberico)Sold under the Spanish name in German Iberian-pork specialists.

Free Pluma ibérica reference card

Diagram, cooking notes, and 8 names on one printable page.

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Similar cuts

Presa ibérica
Presa ibéricaapproximate

The three premium Iberian pork cuts (secreto, pluma, presa) all come from the front half of the pig and share the heavy marbling characteristic of the Iberian breed.

Lagarto ibéricoapproximate

Both are Iberian-pork specialty cuts from the loin region of *Cerdo Ibérico*; cooked the same way (high heat, quick sear). Pluma is the fan-shaped end of the loin, lagarto is the long thin strip alongside the ribs.

Secreto ibérico
Secreto ibéricoapproximate

Both are premium Iberian pork cuts from the front of the animal — secreto is from the rib area between shoulder and loin, pluma is from the loin end near the head.

HeadBladeArm ShoulderLoinLegRibsBellyHock

Classic recipe

Pluma Ibérica a la Plancha6 min

The classic Spanish treatment of one of the four prized Iberian-pork cuts. A screaming-hot plancha or cast-iron pan, coa…

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