I had an enormous craving for Picanha Steak, which is a cut of meat from the beef rump cap muscle. It’s a cheap cut of meat, but the results are so worth it and offer a great value for the buck. I first had this meat cut at a Texas de Brazil restaurant.

They make the meat at the table and it just melts in your mouth. It’s absolutely delicious. If you have a craving for a good steak, I highly recommend you try this cut of meat. The best thing about this steak is that you can make it at home with just four ingredients.

What is Picanha?

Picanha is a Brazilian steak. It is one of the most popular cuts of meat in Brazil. Picanha is well known for its amazing flavor and tenderness. If you are looking for a new steak to add to your repertoire of cooking, Picanha is a perfect choice.

The name of the steak comes from the word Picão. The word Picão is used to describe a large meat tenderizer hammer. In Brazil, there is a technique used to make this cut of meat. It involves using a large meat tenderizer hammer to pound the meat.

This technique makes the meat tender and increases the flavor. It also has the added benefit of making the cut of meat easier to cook.

According to different studies, the cuts of this beef have a fat content of about 60%, which makes it one of the most appreciated in Brazil.

Because of its fat content, the Picanha is considered by many as the most delicate of the bovines and the one that gives more pleasure to the palate.

Brazilian Picanha Steak Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 pounds Picanha cut sirloin cap
• Black pepper (to taste)
• Rock salt (to taste)
• Oil for greasing the grill

Instructions

1. Prepare the Steak:
   • Place the Picanha with the fat side facing up.
   • Carefully score the fat in a cross-hatch pattern, being careful not to cut into the meat itself.
2. Seasoning:
   • Rub rock salt thoroughly into the scored fat.
   • Season with ground black pepper.
3. Cut and Skewer:
   • Cut the Picanha lengthwise into three equal parts.
   • Roll each piece into a ‘C’ shape.
   • Thread each piece onto metal skewers.
   • Sprinkle salt and pepper on the sides that are not yet seasoned.
4. Grilling:
   • Lightly oil the grill using a paper towel or brush.
   • Place the skewered steak on the grill.
   • Grill for about 15-20 minutes.
   • Rotate the skewers every 5-6 minutes for even cooking.
5. Check for Doneness:
   • Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the steak.
   • For medium rare, remove the steak when it reaches 130 °F.
6. Rest and Serve:
   • Allow the steak to rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from the grill.
   • Remove the skewers.
   • Slice the steak and serve.

Note for Marinade (Optional):

• These steps can also be applied to marinate the Picanha before grilling. Simply prepare the marinade and let the meat absorb the flavors before proceeding with the grilling steps.

If you’re a fan of this Picanha Steak Recipe, pin the image below to your Pinterest board to spread the word! 😊📌

Why should you try Picanha Steak?

There are many reasons to love Brazilian food, especially Picanha. The Picanha steak is a traditional Brazilian dish and is very popular among Brazilian people. If you are a food lover, you have probably tried Picanha at least once in your life.

The Picanha steak is delicious, but it is also very healthy and it can be a good alternative to more unhealthy dishes.

Can I cook Picanha Steak on the stove?

If you don’t have a fire pit or a grill,  you can still cook Picanha on your stove. If you follow these easy steps, you’ll have Picanha steaks to rival the ones you’ve had in Brazil.

• We recommend using cast iron for good results.
• Season the Picanha with salt and pepper and melt the butter.
• Place skewered pieces in the pan – don’t overcrowd for even cooking.
• If the internal temperature of the steak reaches 130 °F, remove them from the pan.

What to serve with?

Although Picanha is a very popular cut of meat, not everybody knows how to serve it properly. The best way to serve Picanha is to leave the cut in its natural state, with all the fat and meat. The fat is where the flavor is, so it’s a must.

The traditional way to serve Picanha is to serve it like a roast accompanied by rice, beans, and farofa. Picanha is extremely flavorful, so it can be served as is without any additional seasoning.

In this article, we’ll go over how to prepare amazing Picanha steak, and we’ll also discuss two popular ways (on the grill and in a pan)  you can enjoy it. 

So, what are you waiting for? Put your apron on and start making the delicious Picanha Steak with us.

Tips & Tricks

• If your Picanha cut has been refrigerated, take it out and leave it at room temperature for at least 1 hour.
• Use rock salt for authentic recipe results. 
• Don’t forget to rest the steak after removing it from the grill. It will allow the juices to absorb in the meat and you will get a flavorful, tender, and juicy steak.
• Instead of pepper and salt, you can use any steak or beef seasoning on your Picanha cut.
• To make your steak more delicious, don’t forget to buy sirloin with the fat cap attached.
• If you can’t find the Picanha, you can use the sirloin flap, but it won’t be quite as tender or flavorful.
• The most important thing to remember when cooking a Picanha Steak is to pay attention to the heat of your grill. If you cook it on too high of heat, it will burn the outside and leave the inside medium-rare. The best way to cook a Picanha Steak is to slowly grill it on low heat until it reaches your desired temperature.
• You can also cook Picanha steak using a Blackstone griddle; check our tips on Blackstone recipes here. 

Let’s Sum Up

If you’re in the mood for some delicious steak and you want to try something different, you really should try Picanha steak. This Brazilian cut of steak is delicious, simple to prepare, and affordable.

We hope you enjoyed this article about Picanha Steak.  If you have any questions on this Picanha Steak recipe, or you have any suggestions for our recipes, feel free to comment below. Thank you! 🙂