Meat in Israel is a long-standing source of frustration for new olim, especially those from North America. It’s as if cows in America are somehow built with different parts, and trying to find the right piece of meat for your recipe becomes more confusing than it should be. Couple that with the now-permitted hindquarter meats, and you more than double the number of cuts available that people may never have seen or heard of before. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, they number the meat like you’re in kindergarten, making you feel that much more stupid.

Enough is enough. I present my definitive guide to buying meat in Israel.

Why the Confusion?

The US, the UK, France, the Dutch, the Koreans and the Australians all have different ways to cut meat. The difference in numbers of cuts alone is staggering. A typical American beef has about 30 different cuts of meat. Koreans have 125 different cuts from the same animal. You’ve heard the phrase “It all depends on how you slice it”? Well, it’s true.

Israel for the most part likes to follow French cuisine styles. I suppose it makes them feel more fancy. That’s why ribsteak is called “entrecôte” (lit. ‘between the rib’) more frequently than it’s called “steak ayin” or ribeye. But it’s the same cut of meat. For the most part, beef is butchered in the French style in Israel, so people familiar with US cuts won’t see things like a square cut chuck roast. That’s also changing, thanks to American style butchers and frozen beef products now coming on the market.

Israel Number	Hebrew Name	עברית	English Name	Primal	Cooking Method	Image
#1	Entrecote, Steak Ayin Preparing and Cooking a #1 Rib Eye Roast The Steak	אנטריקוטת, סטייק עין	Rib, Rib eye	Rib	Grill, roast, stovetop
#1A	Vered HaTzlah	ורד הצלע	Chuck Eye Roast	Chuck	Roast, grill
#1BB	Mechase Vered Hatzela	מכסה ורד הצלע	Beef Rib Eye Cap/Cube Roll Cover	Rib	Grill, stovetop
#2	Tzlaot, Rifaan Preparing and Cooking A #2 Chuck Roast Cooking a Daube	צלעות, ריפען	Chuck Roast	Chuck	Braising, long cooking
#3	Chazeh Bakar Preparing and Cooking a #3 Brisket	חזה בקר	Brisket	Brisket	Slow cooking, stewing, curing
#4	Katef Mercazi Preparing and Cooking A #4 Shoulder Roast	כתף מרכזי	Silver Tip Roast	Foreshank	Pot roast, roast beef (US deli)
#5	Tzli Katef Preparing and Cooking a #5 Minute Steak Roast Preparing and Cooking Flatiron Steaks Preparing and Cooking #5 Minute Steaks	צלי כתף	Minute Steak Roast	Foreshank	Quick roast, grill, stovetop
#6	Fillet Medumeh Preparing and Cooking a #6 Petit Tender Fabricating and Cooking #6 Boneless Ribs Petit Fillet Steaks with Lime	פילה מדומה	Petit Tender	Foreshank	Grilling, stovetop, quick roast
#7	Michaseh HaTzlah Preparing and Cooking a #7 Chuck Cover	מכסה הצלע	Chuck Cover	Foreshank	Grilling, stovetop
#8	Shrir Kidmi Preparing and Cooking a #8 Shank	שריר קדמי	Shin, Shank	Foreshank	Slow cooking, braising, stewing
#9	Asado, Kashtit Preparing and Cooking A #9 Asado (Boneless) London Broil	אסאדו, קשתית	Short Ribs, Plate, Belly	Rib Plate	Grilling, braising, curing, smoking (boychn)
#10	Tzavar	צוואר	Neck Clod	Chuck	Grinding, slow cooking, stewing
#11	Sinta, Moten	סינטה, מותן	Sirloin	Short loin	Grilling, stovetop, quick roast
#12	Fillet Bakar	פילה בקר	Tenderloin	Short loin	Grill, stovetop, roast
#13	Shaitel, Kanaf Haoketz	שייטל, כנף העוקץ	Rump	Round	Grill, stovetop
#14	Avazit	אווזית	Top Sirloin	Sirloin	Grill, stovetop
#15	Yarcha	ירכה	Thick Flank	Round	Roast
	Cha'ch, Pichana	צ'אך	Rump Cap	Round	Roast, braised
#16	Kaf	כף	Topside	Round	Roast
#17	Pladah, Kislyim	פלדה, כסלים	Flank Steak	Flank	Grill, stovetop, braised
#18	Shrir Achori	שריר אחורי	Shank	Round	Slow cooking, braising, stewing
#19	Rosh HaYerech (Yarcha)	ראש ירכה	Silverside	Round	Grill, stovetop
	Basar Rosh	בשר ראש	Beef Cheeks	Muscle	Curing, stovetop, braising
	Lashon	לשון	Tongue	Organ	Braising, long cooking
	Caved	כבד	Liver	Organ	flame broiled
	Kivah	קיבה	Tripe	Organ	stew, soup
	Moch	מח	Brains	Organ	Saute, fry, braise
	Shkeidim	שקדים	Sweetbreads	Organ	Saute, fry
	Rayot	ריאות	Lungs	Organ	Braising, long cooking
	Kalayot	כליות	Kidneys	Organ	Braising, long cooking
	Ma’ayim	מעיים	Intestines	Organ	Stuffing, sausage making
	Lavlav	לבלב	Pancreas	Organ	Saute, fry
	Ashchim Preparing and Cooking Calves' Fry	אשכים	Testicles	Organ	Saute, fry, grill
	Sarefet	סרפת	Diaphram	Muscle	grill, stovetop
	Steak Chatzait	חצאית	Skirt Steak	Muscle	Quick cooking, grill
	Zanav Shor	זנב שור	Oxtail	Muscle	braising, soup
	Gidim	גידים	Beef Tendons	Organ	Stew, braising
	Netach Kitzavim	נתח קצבים	Hanger Steak	Organ	Grill