Picanha Steak with Farofa

Name: Picanha Steak with Farofa
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Brazilian
Ingredients: 2 lbs picanha (beef sirloin cap / rump cap), fat cap intact, cut into 3/4-in steaks; 2 tsp coarse kosher salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper, coarsely ground; 4 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 yellow onion, finely diced; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1.5 cups cassava flour (farinha de mandioca); 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped; 1/2 tsp salt (for farofa)

The crown jewel of Brazilian churrasco: thick-cut sirloin cap steak grilled over high heat with a generous fat cap, served alongside buttery toasted cassava-flour farofa.

45 minMediumServes 4530 cal/serving

BrazilianDinnerGrill and StovetopHigh ProteinLow-SodiumPork-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

2 lbs picanha (beef sirloin cap / rump cap), fat cap intact, cut into 3/4-in steaks
2 tsp coarse kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper, coarsely ground
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1 yellow onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1.5 cups cassava flour (farinha de mandioca)
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
1/2 tsp salt (for farofa)

Instructions

1

At least 30 minutes before grilling, generously season 2 lbs cut into 3/4-in steaks picanha (beef sirloin cap / rump cap), fat cap intact on both sides with 2 tsp coarse kosher salt and 1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper. Let rest at room temperature.
2

Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to high heat (450-500°F).
3

Make the farofa: melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 finely diced yellow onion and cook until golden, about 6 minutes. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute. Add 1.5 cups cassava flour (farinha de mandioca) and toast, stirring constantly, until golden and nutty, 4-5 minutes. Season with 1/2 tsp salt (for farofa), stir in 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, and keep warm.
4

Score the fat cap of the picanha (beef sirloin cap / rump cap), fat cap intact steaks in a crosshatch pattern without cutting into the meat. Grill fat-side down first for 2 minutes to render the fat and prevent flare-ups, then flip and grill to desired doneness: about 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare (internal temperature 130-135°F / 54-57°C) or 6-7 minutes per side for medium (145°F / 63°C).
5

Transfer steaks to a cutting board and rest, loosely tented with foil, for 5-7 minutes.
6

Slice the picanha (beef sirloin cap / rump cap), fat cap intact against the grain and serve alongside the warm farofa.

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Questions

What temperature do I cook Picanha Steak with Farofa at?

For Picanha Steak with Farofa, the oven is set to 500 F (about 260 C) in step 2. The target internal temperature is 135 F (about 55 C), given in step 4. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork. The target internal temperature is 145 F (about 65 C), given in step 4. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

How do I know when Picanha Steak with Farofa is done?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 3: cook until golden and nutty. A reading of 135 F on a thermometer settles it.

Why score it in Picanha Steak with Farofa?

Step 4 reads: "Score the fat cap of the picanha (beef sirloin cap / rump cap), fat cap intact steaks in a crosshatch pattern without cutting into the meat." The shallow cuts in step 4 let fat render and seasoning reach further in, and they keep the surface from curling as it tightens in the heat.

Can I make Picanha Steak with Farofa dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in Picanha Steak with Farofa is 4 tbsp unsalted butter. Swap the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

How many calories are in Picanha Steak with Farofa?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) is about 530 calories, with 35 g protein, 21 g carbohydrate and 34 g fat, plus 2 g fiber and 306 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

Serve it with

Batata Frita side
Green Salad with Mango salad
Vinagrete (Brazilian Tomato Onion Relish) sauce
Coconut Lime Cooler drink

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