Talk About Bacon in Spanish (and Other Meaty Favorites)
Talking about bacon in Spanish or any other kind of meat is common to hear in Spanish-speaking countries. People love eating meat as much as they do anything else. It’s a flavorful food group that you can find in any kind of restaurant.
in Latin America and Spain, getting together to eat is not only about delicious food but also cooking together and celebrating. Latin Americans and Spaniards consume all sorts of meaty flavors prepared in various ways, such as grilled or a la parrillada.
Not eating meat can be a bit challenging so it’s best to embrace the culture and get a taste of the different kinds of meat when you’re traveling. Try cooking famous flavorful dishes such as carne asada or pollo asado. Cooking is a great way to practice your Spanish skills and eat a delicious meal in the process.
How to Talk About Bacon and Other Meat
The most common way to say bacon in Spanish is tocino, but the words tocineta, beicon, and pancetta also translate to bacon.
It’s a savory and greasy food that people love to add to their favorite meals. Bacon is an ingredient in crema de frijol con tocino and on hot dogs.
Bacon in Spanish and Other Meat Vocabulary
El tocino – Bacon
La carne de res – Beef
El cordero – Lamb
El cerdo – Pork
El tocino o la panceta – Bacon
La ternera – Veal
El bistec – Beefsteak
La carne molida – Ground beef
Las costillas – Ribs
Las chuletas – Pork chops
El hígado – Liver
El jamón – Ham
La lengua – Tongue
El lomo – Steak
Las longanizas – Sausages
La pierna de cordero – Leg of lamb
Los riñones – Kidneys
Las salchichas – Hot dogs or sausages
Las tripas – Tripe
El filete – Fillet
El estofado – Pot roast
El chicharrón – Pork rind
Food preparation
A la plancha – Grilled
A la parrilla – Barbecue
Asado – Broiled
Rostizado – Roasted
Horneado – Baked
Empanizado o apanado – Breaded
Example Conversation
Maria: ¿Estás cocinando tacos de res?
Antonio: No, en realidad no.
Maria: ¿Qué estás cocinando entonces?
Antonio: Estoy cocinando tacos de pollo con tocino.
Maria: Se ve delicioso.
Antonio: Gracias. ¿Quieres ayudarme?
Maria: Por supuesto.
Antonio: Pon a freír el pollo con la cebolla y el tocino.
Maria: Claro. ¿Algo más?
Antonio: Eso es todo. Pronto estará listo.
Maria: Are you cooking beef tacos?
Antonio: No, not really.
Maria: What are you cooking then?
Antonio: I’m cooking chicken tacos with bacon.
Maria: It looks delicious.
Antonio: Thanks. Would you like to help?
Maria: Of course.
Antonio: Fry the chicken with the onion and bacon.
Maria: Sure. Anything else?
Antonio: That’s all. It’ll be ready soon.
How to Order Meat at a Restaurant
When ordering bacon in Spanish or any meat at a restaurant, it’s important to know how to ask for your steak rare, medium rare, or well-done.
Rare is roja. Medium rare is termino medio. Well-done is bien asada or bien cocida. Tres cuartos is when you want your meat between medium rare and well-done.
Here are some phrases that you’ll hear in a restaurant:
¿Qué le gustaría de beber?
What would you like to drink?
¿Cómo le gustaría su carne?
How would you like your steak?
¿Qué hay en el menú?
What’s on the menu?
¿Están listos para ordenar?
Are you ready to order
Todavía no estamos listos.
We’re not ready yet.
Yo prefiero el bistec bien asado.
I prefer the steak well-done.
Yo quisiera el sándwich con jamón.
I would like the ham sandwich.
Yo voy a querer lo mismo.
I’ll have the same.
Necesito un cuchillo de sierra para la carne.
I need a steak knife for my steak.
How to Order Meat at a Butcher Shop
When it comes to ordering meat at a butcher shop, it’s all about the cut. Bacon in Spanish is mostly found in a thin cut. But many other cuts exist; here are the most popular ones in Spanish:
El solomillo – Filet mignon
El lomito – Tenderloin
El lomo Bajo – Sirloin
El lomo alto – Prime rib
El chuletón – Rib roast/large end
La chuleta de lomo – T-Bone steak
La cadera – Rump
La contra – Silverside
El redondo – Eye of Round
La aguja – Chuck
El pez – Chuck tender
La aleta – Bavette
El pecho – Brisket
La carrillada – Cheek
La costilla – Rib
La entraña – Thin Skirt
La falda – Flank
La lengua – Tongue
El hígado – Liver
El pescuezo – Neck
El rabo – Oxtail/tail
El morcillo – Shank
La tapa – Topside
El puyazo – A rump steak from a steer
Once you know what you want, make sure to clearly say how much of it you want. If you want to order bacon in Spanish, it’s more commonly found in a package or sold by the pound.
Latin America uses pounds—las libras. Just make sure the meat you buy is clean and it’s a good and reliable place. I don’t recommend eating meat just anywhere while traveling.
Example Conversation
Carnicero: Buenos días. ¿Cómo le puedo ayudar?
Samuel: Me gustaría un lomito, una pechuga de pollo y la lengua por favor.
Carnicero: Todo aquí es fresco y tengo todo lo que necesita.
Samuel: Excelente. Gracias.
Carnicero: ¿Necesita algo más? Tengo costillas frescas e hígado.
Samuel: No, eso es todo; gracias.
Butcher: Good morning. What can I get for you?
Samuel: I’d like the tenderloin, a chicken breast and the tongue please.
Butcher: Everything here is fresh and I have what you want.
Samuel: Excellent. Thanks.
Butcher: Anything else? I have fresh ribs and liver.
Samuel: No, that’s it; thank you.
What Will You Order?
I love Mexican food. In Mexico, bacon in Spanish is commonly referred to as tocineta. It can be rojo (rare) or bien cocido (well done). My favorite Mexican dishes are molletes and tacos. I love the varieties of salsas and spicy food you can find in this colorful country.
People generally love to eat meat in Spanish-speaking countries. They also love inviting foreigners to have a good steak or any traditional dish. Latin America has many amazingly flavorful dishes. If you’re looking to get creative in the kitchen, try out these 15 National Dishes of Latin America that you won’t want to miss!
Now that you know how to order bacon in Spanish in different ways. What will you order? What is your favorite meat dish? Which new dish are you excited to try next time you travel? Leave a comment and let me know.
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