Ternera Asturiana

Bovine meat from animals of the Asturiana de los Valles or Asturiana de la Montaña breeds, or crosses between them, born, reared and fattened in the Principality of Asturias. Animals are categorised as 'Ternera' (under 12 months) or 'Añojo' (between 12 and 18 months), with sub-categories defined by European carcass conformation class. The meat must be fresh or chilled only.

About this designation

Ternera Asturiana is registered as a PGI under file number PGI-ES-0182, with EU protection granted on 3 September 2003. The eAmbrosia identifier is EUGI00000013497. The Consejo Regulador IGP Ternera Asturiana is the applicant body responsible for oversight. Eligible animals must be of the Asturiana de los Valles or Asturiana de la Montaña breeds, or crosses between them, and must have been born, reared and fattened on registered livestock holdings within the Principality of Asturias. Slaughter, cutting and wholesale operations must also take place within that territory. The dams and calves covered by the PGI are not required to be entered in the official herd books of either breed. Animals must suckle for at least the first 5 months of their lives. Feed must be natural and traditional; substances that alter normal growth rates, pose a risk to human consumption, or negatively affect meat quality are prohibited. Carcasses must fall within conformation classes S, E, U or R under European rules, with fat cover grades of 2 or 3, except for classes S and E where grade 1 is permitted. The colour of the meat must be between values '2' (pink) and '4' (red), and the fat must be white to creamy white without deposits. All carcasses must bear a numbered label issued by the Regulatory Council, carrying the designation Indicación Geográfica Protegida 'Ternera Asturiana'.

Source: The register document this entry was written from · retrieved August 28, 2026

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PGI on 3 September 2003 under file number PGI-ES-0182 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013497).
• Animals are categorised as 'Ternera' (under 12 months) or 'Añojo' (between 12 and 18 months) at slaughter.
• Animals must suckle for at least the first 5 months of their lives; substances altering normal growth rates are prohibited.
• All carcasses must carry a numbered label issued by the Consejo Regulador IGP Ternera Asturiana bearing the full protected name.

Tasting notes

Asturian veal/beef IGP from native Asturiana de los Valles and Asturiana de la Montaña breeds. Pale-to-deep pink flesh.

HoReCa use

Associated with Asturian cuisine, including cachopo (a breaded stuffed veal cutlet) and preparations with cabrales sauce.

Packaging

• Same as other beef/veal IGPs