Spanish vocabulary · Intermediate
How to Say Flank Steak in Spanish: Arrachera
Arrachera · noun (feminine) · ah-rrah-CHEH-rah
Flank steak in Spanish varies greatly by region: arrachera in Mexico, falda in Spain, and vacío in Argentina. Each term may refer to slightly different cuts depending on local butchering traditions.
Arrachera is pronounced ah-rrah-CHEH-rah, with a rolled R and stress on the third syllable.
La arrachera a la parrilla es mi platillo favorito.
Grilled flank steak is my favorite dish.
Flank Steak in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for flank steak, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| arrachera | flank steak | ah-rrah-CHEH-rah | Default, widely understood |
| falda | flank steak | Spain and some South American countries | |
| vacío | flank steak | Argentina |
How Native Speakers Use Arrachera
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Mexican restaurant
Voy a pedir los tacos de arrachera con guacamole.
I'm going to order the flank steak tacos with guacamole.
Ordering at a Mexican restaurant.
Butcher shop
Deme medio kilo de falda para asar, por favor.
Give me half a kilo of flank steak for grilling, please.
Buying meat in Spain.
Argentine barbecue
El vacío es un corte esencial en cualquier asado argentino.
Flank steak is an essential cut at any Argentine barbecue.
Argentine grilling tradition.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Arrachera
Using one regional term universally
Incorrect: Quiero arrachera (said in Buenos Aires).
Correct: Quiero vacío (in Argentina).
Meat cuts have highly regional names — arrachera is Mexican, and using it in Argentina would cause confusion.
Confusing falda (skirt) with falda (meat)
Incorrect: Me gusta tu falda (meaning the meat cut).
Correct: Me gusta esa falda de res.
Falda means both skirt and flank steak — specify falda de res to clarify you mean the meat cut.
Lock in Flank Steak Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Arrachera used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using arrachera in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear La arrachera a la parrilla es mi platillo favorito. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Flank Steak in Spanish
- How do you say flank steak in Spanish?
- The translation depends on the country: arrachera in Mexico, falda in Spain, and vacío in Argentina — all refer to cuts from the belly/flank area of beef.
- What is arrachera exactly?
- Arrachera is the Mexican term for the diaphragm/flank area of beef, traditionally marinated in citrus and spices, then grilled and served in tacos or as a main dish.
- How should I order flank steak in a Spanish-speaking country?
- Research the local term before your trip: use arrachera in Mexico, falda or entraña in Spain, vacío in Argentina, and sobrebarriga in Colombia — asking for carne para asar (meat for grilling) also works if unsure.