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Grilled Picanha Steak

Charlie
Fat cap rendered golden, beef sliced thin against the grain, chimichurri pooling into every cut — this picanha is everything Brazilian steakhouses charge a fortune for, made right at home with a hot grill and a sharp knife.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course christmas, Dinner, holidays, lunch, main, Main Course, thanksgiving
Cuisine Barbecue, bbq, dinner, grill, holidays, lunch, thanksgiving
Servings 4 serves
Calories 502 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Picanha:

  • 1 whole picanha roast approx. 2–2.5 lbs / 900g–1.1kg, fat cap on
  • 1.5 tsp coarse kosher salt
  • 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

For the Chimichurri:

  • 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley finely chopped
  • 3 tbsp fresh oregano leaves finely chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 small shallot finely diced
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Make the chimichurri by combining parsley, oregano, garlic, shallot, and red pepper flakes in a bowl. Add the red wine vinegar and olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and stir to combine. Set aside to rest for at least 30 minutes.
  • Remove the picanha from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. Trim the fat cap to approximately 1/4 inch thick, then score it in a crosshatch pattern without cutting into the meat.
  • Rub the olive oil over the meat side, then season generously with the salt, pepper, and garlic powder mix on all sides.
  • Slice the roast with the grain into individual steaks roughly 1.5–2 inches thick — you'll get 3–4 steaks from a standard roast.
  • Preheat your grill to high on one side and medium-low on the other for two-zone cooking. You want the hot side above 450°F.
  • Sear the steaks over direct heat fat-cap side down first for 2–3 minutes until the fat is golden and rendering. Flip and sear the meat side for 2–3 minutes.
  • Move steaks to the indirect side and cook until an internal temperature of 130–135°F for medium-rare, approximately 8–12 minutes depending on thickness.
  • Rest the steaks on a board for 8–10 minutes tented loosely with foil.
  • Slice each steak thinly against the grain and arrange on a serving board or platter. Spoon chimichurri over generously and serve immediately.
Keyword picanha