Can pecho mean more than one cut?

Check the confidence note below; low confidence or multi-cut rows are flagged when present.

How do you order steak doneness in Costa Rica?

In Costa Rica, medium rare is called "Término medio". Rare is "Rojo" and well done is "Bien cocido".

What should I ask for at a butcher in Costa Rica?

Ask for "Cecina entera para ahumar, con gordito" when looking for pecho in Costa Rica.

brisket primal · Mexico

pecho

Q: What is pecho in Costa Rica?

pecho is the Mexico retail name for the brisket, which sits on the brisket primal. In Costa Rica, the same cut is most often labeled cecina.

Q: What is pecho called in Costa Rica?

Look for cecina—mapped to Brisket (brisket).

Q: What primal is pecho from?

Brisket is on the brisket primal (Breast / lower chest, between the forelegs).

In Costa Rica, this cut is cecina.

Close match · Confidence 0.85

Fig. 1 · Breast / lower chest, between the forelegs · brisket primal

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.

Primalbrisket

LocationBreast / lower chest, between the forelegs

In Costa Ricacecina

What is this cut →Global guide →

How to order steak doneness

Mexico → Costa Rica

rare	Rojo	→	Rojo	48–55°C
medium rare	Término medio	→	Término medio	55–60°C
medium	Tres cuartos	→	Tres cuartos	60–65°C
well done	Bien cocido	→	Bien cocido	70–100°C

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.

Detailed explanation

“pecho” in Mexico 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.