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Picanha Grelhada

The crown jewel of Brazilian grilling — a thick slab of picanha with its golden fat cap, salted simply and sliced like a roast.

⏱ 10 minPrep time
🔥 20 minCook time
🍽 6Servings
🏷 Brazilian KitchenCategory
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Picanha Grelhada

Picanha, the top sirloin cap, is the cut Brazilians treasure above all others. Grilled whole with its layer of fat facing the fire, then carved thin, it is the star of every churrasco and the definition of steak done right.

The crown jewel of the churrasco

The rendered fat cap bastes the meat as it grills, creating a crisp, salty crust around a rosy, buttery center. Sliced thin against the grain, each piece is tender enough to melt and rich enough to need nothing but salt.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Take the picanha out of the fridge 30 minutes before grilling and pat it completely dry with paper towels.
  2. Lightly score the fat cap in a crosshatch pattern, cutting just to the meat, then rub the whole piece with olive oil.
  3. Sprinkle the coarse salt generously over both sides and press it in gently.
  4. Preheat the grill to medium-high, about 400°F, and place the picanha fat-side down first.
  5. Grill the fat cap for 4 to 5 minutes until deeply browned and rendered, then flip and grill the meat side for 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare (internal temperature of 130°F).
  6. Rest the picanha under loose foil for 8 to 10 minutes, then slice thin against the grain, keeping the fat cap attached to each slice.
  7. Serve immediately with a final pinch of salt.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Never trim the fat cap — it is the flavor engine that bastes the meat. Always slice picanha against the grain and only after resting, so the juices stay where they belong.

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Recipe details

Prep10 min
Cook20 min
Servings6
CategoryBrazilian Kitchen
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →