Sliced Cecina - Cured Smoked Beef, León-Style

Cecina, a tender sliced cured beef with a deep red color and rich smoky flavor, is León's answer to jamón. This premium cut of grass fed beef is cured with sea salt, spices and sherry, then smoked over oak wood. Sliced fresh at La Tienda, it is ready to be served with a glass of your favorite vino.

Cecina is Spain's culinary secret, just as worthy of acclaim as Spain's famous hams. And like jamón, over thousands of years, the people of Spain have transformed the curing of beef from a necessity to an art, creating a delicate, flavorful meat unlike any other in the world.

Always serve cecina thinly sliced at room temperature as you would Spanish jamón. It is usually enjoyed as a tapa with a glass of wine but can also be added to fresh salad. Because it is leaner than ham, we usually drizzle a little bit of extra virgin olive oil on the slices. Cecina can be served alongside a plate of sliced Serrano ham, where the similarities and contrasts between these two classic cured meats can be enjoyed.

Spain is not permitted to export beef to the United States, so we work with a small family curing house to create an American-made cecina. The cure masters take whole pieces of premium, hormone free beef and carefully cure and cold smoke each piece with oak wood in the Spanish tradition.

León, in northwest Spain, was founded by the Romans (León probably derives from the word "legion," as opposed to its modern spelling which means "lion"). Because of a cooler, greener climate, there is a strong tradition of cattle farming. Smoking and curing beef became an important way to preserve meat starting in Roman times, and over countless generations the method was perfected. Today, the full flavor and delicate texture of cecina speaks to this history, and makes cecina a truly special cured meat.

This cecina was sliced fresh at La Tienda and is kept refrigerated to preserve its flavor. Cecina does not require cooking but can be added to recipes.

Is this cured sausage ready to eat straight from the package?

Yes, it is fully cured and can be sliced and eaten without any cooking.

How should I store whole cured sausages?

They can be stored at room temperature for several days, unless otherwise noted on the packaging. For longer-term storage, refrigerate them.

What is the best way to serve cured sausages?

Always serve cured sausages at room temperature to bring out their best flavor and texture.

Should I remove the casing before eating?

Check the packaging to determine whether the casing needs to be removed prior to consumption.

How should I store leftovers?

Wrap them tightly in plastic and store in the refrigerator. They can be kept refrigerated for up to one week.

What are the small white crystals that sometimes appear on cured meats?

These are amino acid crystals and are completely safe to eat.

Is white mold on cured meats dangerous?

No, harmless white mold may appear on the exterior and can be wiped off with a cloth and a bit of olive oil.

When should I avoid eating cured sausage?

If the sausage has green or black mold or an unpleasant odor, it should not be consumed.

How are perishable items shipped?

La Tienda ships refrigerated items in a recyclable cooler or insulated package with frozen ice packs to arrive in top condition. 

How will my order be packed?

La Tienda packs products carefully to ensure they arrive in top condition. Cold items are packed with insulated packaging and ice packs to preserve freshness. Items will arrive in La Tienda branded boxes.