brisket primal · Guatemala
In Belgium, this cut is poitrine.
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 | Rojo | → | Saignant |
| medium rare | Término medio | → | À point |
| medium | Tres cuartos | → | À point cuit |
| well done | Bien cocido | → | Bien cuit |
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.
“pecho” in Guatemala maps to canonical brisket (brisket: Breast / lower chest, between the forelegs). In Belgium, look for labels such as poitrine. 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.