CarneAtlas

Vacio

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

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
🇧🇷BrazilFraldinhaVery popular in Brazilian churrasco
🇮🇹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.

Similar cuts

Onglet
Ongletapproximate

Similar cooking applications and the need to slice against the grain, but different muscles — flank is broad and flat while hanger is thick and cylindrical.

Arrachera
Arracheraapproximate

Both are flat, fibrous cuts from the belly area suited to marinating and slicing thinly, but flank is leaner and milder while skirt has more fat and a more intense flavour.

Falda
Faldaapproximate

Adjacent cuts from neighboring primals; both are used for caldo de res and slow-cooked dishes in Mexico, though flank steak is leaner and firmer.

Matambre
Matambreapproximate

Both are thin, flat cuts from the belly area suited to quick cooking or stuffing, but matambre is taken from between the skin and ribs and is thinner than flank steak.

Bavette d'aloyau
Bavette d'aloyauapproximate

Very similar cuts from the flank area — bavette d'aloyau is slightly more tender and from higher up the flank, while American flank steak is from lower down.

TenderloinRoundBottom SirloinRibPlateChuckShort LoinBrisketFlankSirloinShankShank

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…

View full recipe →

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