CarneAtlas

Vacio

Beef · Flank
Grill

Vacio is known in English as Flank steak.

Also called
🇺🇸🇬🇧Flank steak🇲🇽Arrachera exterior🇫🇷Bavette de flanchet🇪🇸Vacío🇵🇹Vazio🇮🇹Pancia di manzo🇩🇪Bauchlappen🇧🇷Fraldinha
Raw Vacio — Beef Flank cut

Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons — Flank steak.jpg

Flank steak is a flat, broad muscle from the abdominal area with long, coarse muscle fibers and very little fat. It has an intense, beefy flavor but can be chewy if not properly prepared. It benefits from marinating and must be sliced thinly against the grain after cooking. Used widely in stir-fry, fajitas, and London broil.

Names by country

CountryNameNotes
🇺🇸United StatesFlank steak
🇬🇧United KingdomFlank steak
🇲🇽MexicoArrachera exteriorOften confused with skirt steak in Mexico
🇦🇷ArgentinaVacioprimaryOne of the most beloved cuts in Argentine asado, typically grilled slowly over low heat
🇫🇷FranceBavette de flanchet
🇪🇸SpainVacío
🇵🇹PortugalVazio
🇮🇹ItalyPancia di manzoThe Argentine 'vacío' is the flank/lower-belly muscle; not a traditional Italian primal.
🇩🇪GermanyBauchlappenArgentine 'vacío' is sold under this name when the cut is cured/grilled in German butcher shops.
What to ask for
Shopping outside the tradition Vacio comes from?

Similar cuts

→ See all Vacio substitutes by country
TenderloinRoundBottom SirloinRibPlateChuckShort LoinBrisketFlankSirloinShankShank

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Classic recipe

Vacio a la Parrilla1 hr

Vacio — the Argentine flank — is prized for its thick fat cap and deep beefy flavour. A slow grill over low embers rende…

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Unbranded charcoal grilling equipment

$$$ · picanha, steaks, skewers, and general charcoal grilling

Get vacío crisp outside and still pink inside

High-heat grilling, simple indirect cooks, steak, picanha, and burgers.

Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch Charcoal Grill

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More Flank cuts

Fraldinha

Fraldinha

All Flank cuts →

Sources