Best Brazilian Steak Recipe ~ Picanha!
Picanha is hands-down one of the best cuts of meat and the favorite in Brazil. This Brazilian Picanha recipe will give you the most flavorful meat that's tender, juicy, and filled with flavor. t's a particular cut of beef that comes from the top of the rump. It's also known as the top sirloin cap and comes with the fat cap still on. That fat cap is what helps to give this steak so much amazing flavor.
Servings 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Sirloin Cap (Picanha)
- 1 Tablespoon Kosher Salt or other coarse salt
- 3 teaspoons Brazilian steak seasoning
Instructions
- SLICE: Place the sirloin cap (picanha) steak with the fat side down on a cutting board. Using a very sharp knife, cut the steak going with the grain into 1-inch thick slices. Each slice will have a layer of fat along the bottom.
- SEASON: Once the steak is sliced (you will get 6-8 slices depending on the size of the steak), season with the salt and then the Brazilian steak seasoning.
- SKEWER: If you want to skewer the picanha for the classic Churrascaria preparation, you will start to skewer through the fat side, fold over the steak and skewer back through the other fat side.
- GRILL: Preheat the grill on high heat (approximately 400 F degrees). Place the skewers or the steaks on a diagonal along the grill. Cook for 5 minutes and then flip and cook for another 5 minutes. If you want medium rare, the steaks are probably done at this point. If you want Medium, flip again with the steaks going the other diagonal direction to get beautiful cross grill marks. Cook another 5 minutes. And finally, for well done, flip a fourth time, again going the opposite diagonal direction and cook for 5 minutes. Total cooking times: Medium rare = 10 minutes, Medium = 15 minutes, Well = 20 minutes. *See notes for broiler instructions*
Video
Notes
- BROILER instructions: Preheat the broiler on high heat. Place the skewers on a sheet pan under the broiler and cook for 8-10 minutes, until you start to see a char on the top. Flip and cook for another 0-10 minutes. If it tool 10 minutes to brown the meat and you want medium rare, you may not want to flip them at all, as they are likely cooked to MR. (Total cooking times: Medium rare = 10 minutes, Medium = 15 minutes, Well = 20 minutes.)
- STOVE instructions: You can also cook this Brazilian steak on the stove. You will ideally want a cast iron pan or grill that you can use on the stove. Preheat it on high heat and follow the grilling instructions in the recipe.
- Brazilian Steak Seasoning: 1 Tablespoon Kosher salt, 1 Tablespoon Black pepper, 1 Tablespoon Garlic powder, 1 Tablespoon Onion powder, 2 teaspoons Smoked paprika, 1 Tablespoon Ground Coriander, 1 Tablespoon Mustard powder
- Reheating: You can warm it slowly in the oven at low heat. Bring the steak to room temperature first. Then place it on a sheet pan in the oven at 275 F degrees for 15-30 minutes, flipping the steak every 5 minutes until warmed through.