In this guide, we provide an in-depth look at the cuts of beef in Colombia, a topic that can be challenging for foreigners to navigate. Many readers of Medellin Guru have asked us for clarification on Colombian cuts of meat, so we’ve compiled a comprehensive list matching over 40 beef cuts in English with their Spanish equivalents used in Colombia.

While a few articles on the internet touch on this subject, they often cover only a handful of cuts and sometimes contain inaccuracies. This guide, however, aims to give you a more complete and accurate picture.

It’s important to note that all meat products in Colombia must be certified with an Invima seal. This certification ensures that the meat you purchase—whether raw, refrigerated, or frozen—has gone through all the necessary processes for human consumption.

Additionally, Colombia is a meat-loving country with a variety of butcher shops scattered across different regions. According to Fedegan (La Federación Colombiana de Ganaderos), the average beef consumption per capita in 2022 was 17.3 kg, reflecting the country’s strong demand for quality meat.

The image above is courtesy of the U.S. Meat Export Federation.