brisket primal · Belgium
In Costa Rica, this cut is cecina.
About this cut
From the breast and lower chest. Two sub-sections: the flat (lean, uniform) and the point/deckle (fattier, more marbled). The most iconic cut for American BBQ smoking. Also used for braising, corned beef, and pastrami.
| rare | Saignant | → | Rojo |
| medium rare | À point | → | Término medio |
| medium | À point cuit | → | Tres cuartos |
| well done | Bien cuit | → | Bien cocido |
Doneness terminology varies by country and restaurant. When unsure, describe what you want — e.g., “warm red center” — rather than relying on the name alone.
“poitrine” in Belgium maps to canonical brisket (brisket: Breast / lower chest, between the forelegs). In Costa Rica, look for labels such as cecina. From the breast and lower chest. Two sub-sections: the flat (lean, uniform) and the point/deckle (fattier, more marbled). The most iconic cut for American BBQ smoking. Also used for braising, corned beef, and pastrami.
This information is for educational purposes only and may vary by region or butcher practices.