Spanish word

morcillo

Pronunciation

IPA/moɾˈθiʝo/

Meaning

  • masculine nounbeef shank

Example

Pon el morcillo a cocer a fuego lento.

Put the beef shank on to simmer.

Illustration for morcillo (beef shank)

More examples

Compré morcillo para el cocido en la carnicería.

I bought beef shank for the stew at the butcher's.

Core concept

Beef shank used for slow-cooked stews and gelatin-rich stock.

Common phrases

  • pedir morcillo en la carnicería

    ask for beef shank at the butcher's

  • morcillo para el cocido

    beef shank for the stew

Similar words

jarrete: Culinary shin cut suited to stewing, where long heat converts collagen into soft texture.
garrón: Bone-attached shin piece commonly used in stews, contributing marrow and body to the broth.

Definition in Spanish

Porción de la pata de vaca empleada sobre todo en guisos y caldos; su cocción prolongada convierte el tejido en una textura gelatinosa y suave.

Word origin

Derived from a regional or butcher's name formed with the diminutive -illo, the word now denotes the cow's shank prized for long cooking.

Usage tips

  • 'Para caldo' or 'para guiso' on a label signals shank intended for stock or stews, while ossobuco usually names the cross-cut shank with a marrow bone.

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