Brazilian Picanha Steak Recipe

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Brazilian style Picanha steaks are a thick top sirloin cap folded into a “C” shape, skewered, seasoned, and grilled over high heat and usually served with a chimichurri sauce.

We were first introduced to picanha steaks during the USA FIFA World Cup 2026. Picanha is the Top Sirloin cap that has a thick layer of fat. It is usually found at your local butcher shop. Comparing to cost: the picanha top sirloin roast is on the cheaper side when compared to the cost of a ribeye roast. The picanha sirloin has all the flavor when cooked because of the fat cap. That’s right! The butcher usually doesn’t cut the fat off from this roast and you shouldn’t either as the fat adds flavor and keeps the meat juicy during grilling. Now, after it’s cooked you can remove the fat if desired.

How To Make Brazilian Picanha Steak

Ingredients:

• Picanha roast with fat cap
• Spices as desired
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions

Prepare Meat

Be sure to remove meat from refrigerator 1-hour prior to cooking. With the fat cap facing up slice meat into 1.5 to 2-inch thick pieces. Be sure to slice with the grain. Fold steaks into “C” shapes and slide onto flat BBQ skewers, then add seasonings on both sides of the meat.

Grill Meat and Serve

Place skewered meat on a hot grill and cook on all sides to desired temperature (Medium Rare 125°F – 130°F, Medium 130°F – 140°F, Medium Well 140°F – 150°F and Well Done 150° – 155°F). Once desired temperature is reached remove from grill. Allow meat to rest for a few minutes on a plate tented with foil. As the meat is resting the temperature will continue to rise by around 5°F.

What to Serve with Picanha Steak

Since Picanha is a Brazilian dish one would want to serve this steak with Brazilian-style white rice, Brazilian refried beans, Farofa, or Lyonnaise potatoes. You definitely should serve the picanha steak with chimichurri sauce (see my recipe here).

I AM EXCITED YOU ARE VIEWING JETT’S RECIPE FOR MAKING BRAZILIAN PICANHA STEAKS AND WOULD LOVE TO HEAR HOW IT TURNS OUT SHOULD YOU DECIDE TO MAKE IT!

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