Butterfly

Intermediate 🍳 Food / Culinary

Definition

To split a thicker cut of meat, poultry, or fish partially through, then open it flat like butterfly wings. A technique for achieving faster, more even cooking.

Example Usage

Butterfly the chicken breast to create a thinner, more uniform piece for cooking.

Origin

Descriptive term based on how the opened meat resembles butterfly wings

Fun Fact

If you butterfly something completely through and remove the middle, you've technically 'spatchcocked' it (poultry term) instead.

Source: Meat and poultry preparation

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