What Is Picanha Steak? – Brazillian Beauty

what is picanha steak

What is Picanha steak? It is the best cut of meat you can use to make churrasco or barbecue.

Picanha Steak is a Brazilian steak that consists of the two sirloin cuts, also known as the rump cover and top butt in English.

It’s mainly composed of fat and it has a tasty Brazilian barbeque seasoning.

It’s not every day you can enjoy this kind of meal, so when it happens make sure to really enjoy it!

So let’s get started and learn more about Picanha steak, shall we?

What Exactly Is Picanha Steak?

Picanha steak is a Brazilian cut of meat that is made with the rump cover and top butt of a cow.

The word is derived from the verb Picar, which means “to chop” in Portuguese.

This particular cut of meat is called Picanha in Brazil because it’s roasted over hot coals to get its signature black crust on parts of it.

This black crust is what some people call “the fat.” Why? Because it’s the fat that gets all burnt.

The meat itself isn’t actually black, but due to the high temperatures of grilling or barbecuing, the exterior of the charred thus creating a contrast between the inside and outside of picanha steak.

How Is Picanha Steak Best Cooked?

Picanha steak is usually cooked in Brazil on the barbecue.

Don’t have a barbecue? No problem! You can also do this dish in your home with an oven broiler or pan-frying.

All you need to do is season it and cook it for about 4 minutes on each side.

So what happens when you eat picanha steak? It is juicy and tender, you can cut it with a fork.

The fat that makes up the black part melts in your mouth like butter!

It’s best to cook this steak in a barbecue if you can, but it’s not impossible to cook this in your kitchen.

How Is Picanha Steak Best Prepared?

When it comes to preparing Picanha steak, it’s best to rub all the flavors into both sides of the meat.

We recommend this Brazilian-style seasoning that enhances the taste of picanha steak while making it even more tender.

Make sure you leave lots of marinade on your Picanha steak because it not only tastes great but makes for very juicy and tender meat.

It’s recommended that you marinate picanha steak for 24 hours, at least one hour up to 15 hours before cooking.

The longer it takes to cook Picanha steak the better! It has just the right amount of fat and the spices and seasonings blend together so well.

How Is Picanha Steak Best Served?

Picanha steak is best served with Brazilian sides like Pão de Queijo, Farofa and Caiapónia.

The best way to serve picanha steak is to enjoy it with your family or friends!

Since it’s so juicy and tender, you won’t want the flavor to be lost so serve them immediately.

You can also enjoy picanha steak plain with salt and pepper. It’s just as delicious.

Picanha steak can be served with grilled veggies like corn, pepper, and tomatoes. You can also add pineapple slices to the meat for a sweet flavor.

How Expensive Is Picanha Steak?

The price of Picanha steak is going to vary depending on where you buy it.

You can find this type of meat in your local supermarket or butcher store, but expect to pay at least $10 USD for the cut.

If you’re planning to serve picanha steak at a barbeque, make sure you’ve checked the price beforehand. It’s okay to ask around about how much a Picanha steak costs.

You can also look for Brazilian supermarkets in your area if you want to get the best deal on this type of meat.

The best place to find picanha steak is definitely the butcher store, they have the freshest cuts and will be able to tell you more about it too.

You can also shop for this cut online and may be able to find a better deal.

Where Is Picanha Steak Commonly Found?

Picanha steak is most commonly found in Brazil and other South American countries.

It’s used in barbecues, or churrascos, which is popular during the summer so you may find it appearing at your local grocery store.

If you’re looking for a place to get this type of meat, try searching online or asking around your neighborhood and around the city to see where it’s sold.

You can also visit Brazilian markets to look for picanha steak if there is one in your area.

What Is The Difference Between Picanha Steak And Top Sirloin?

Picanha steak is cut from the top of sirloin while top sirloin comes from the lower part of the leg.

However, due to this area being tougher it is usually cut up into top sirloin.

Picanha steak is very different from top sirloin because it is a much tougher cut of meat.

Top sirloin is leaner and a lot chewier than picanha, which means that it’s a lot less juicy too.

Picanha steak has a better flavor because it has a higher fat content and is more tender.

If you’re looking for something that’s a little tougher to chew, then picanha would be the cut for you.

What Is The Nutritional Value Of Picanha Steak?

Informing yourself of the nutritional value of picanha steak is important because it can help you make smart decisions about what and how much to eat.

The nutritional value of this meat will vary depending on the type of cut you get and where you purchase it from.

See below the nutritional value of one serving of Picanha steak (161g)

  • Calories = 390
  • Fat = 24g
  • Saturated Fat = 8.6g
  • Carbohydrates = 1.3g
  • Sugar = 0
  • Protein = 42g

The Picanha steak has an impressive 42g of protein in just one serving.

Including a lot of protein is beneficial to your diet because it will help you feel full for longer and aid in muscle recovery.

You can also enjoy a slice of picanha with a salad to get the most nutritional value from it.

As you can see the nutritional breakdown of this steak is impressive, it’s a good quality protein source and has decent bit of fat too.

The saturated fat content in this meat is also low at only 8.6g per 161g serving, that’s about 2% of your recommended daily allowance!

The carbs are very low on this cut of meat so it may be something you can enjoy if you’re on a low carb diet.

The sugar contained in this cut is also very low at 1g per serving, it’s a great option if you’re looking for something that won’t spike your blood sugar levels and make you feel tired shortly after eating it.

Other Considerations

It’s worth keeping in mind that Picanha steak can be very tough to chew, so if you have problems with your teeth or gums it may not be the best option for you.

This cut of meat is also very fatty so you will want to cook it, don’t eat it raw!

If you are cooking Picanha steak at home, make sure that you marinate it for at least an hour before you eat it.

This will help to break down some of the tougher fibers in the meat and make it easier to chew.

It’s also recommended that you cook this cut of meat on high heat so its pink juices can run out, this will keep your steak moist and tender!

Remember that Picanha steak is mostly fat, this means that it will shrink when you cook it.

This cut of meat is perfect for people who are looking to build muscle since it contains a lot of protein and very little carbs or sugar.

You can also use Picanha in place of any type of burger filling instead of using breadcrumbs.

Get creative with this cut of meat and you can make a lot of dishes using it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Picanha steak is an awesome cut of meat that you can enjoy.

It has a good amount of fat and protein in it which makes it very tasty, but also low on carbs and sugar too!

Keep an eye out for this cut of meat if you’re looking to have a better steak experience because it’s definitely worth the trip.

There are plenty of restaurants around the world that serve Picanha, so be sure to check it out next time you’re looking for a good cut of meat.

Have a good look online too, I’m sure you’ll be able to find some great deals on Picanha steak on the web.

Thanks for taking the time to read this post and I hope you’ve learned something today about Picanha steak.

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