Methods currently used for the identification of the species origin of meat or tissue samples have not been validated for other bovine species than taurine cattle or water buffalo. These methods also do not discriminate between the different bovine species that are used as source of beef. Here, we describe two complementary methods for detection and differentiation of bovine species, which are based on mutations in mitochondrial DNA and centromeric satellite DNA, respectively. The analysis of satellite DNA is especially relevant for the identification of animals that are of hybrid origin.