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I would like grill a picanha, the C-shaped steak that is found at many of the Brazilian steakhouses. The problem is that this cut, aka the top sirloin cap or Culotte, is typically divided among other cuts in the US and is not usually offered whole. This is a shame, because I think that the picanha has the best flavor out of any cut of beef.

Does anyone know a butcher that offers the picanha? I've already started calling around near where I live and haven't had much luck. Preference would be a butcher in the western suburbs, but I could get to the North side or wherever else this weekend as well. I've seen some reviews stating that the Paulina Meat Market and Danny's Fresh Market may have it, but can anyone confirm?

Thanks!
Mike

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I bought what was called a Culotte steak from Heartland Meats people this past weekend. The have a stand at several farmer's markets, including Evanston on Saturday. What I got was a small but thick cut of beef that was under a pound. It was not C shaped. You might given them a call to see if they can bring what you want to a farmer's market they serve that is near you.

Jonah

Thanks for the reply, Jonah! Did the Culotte you picked up look like this?





(the first link wasn't working on my work laptop, but it has captions for the non-Portuguese speaker...)

Apparently the cut is ~2 lb. max, and should have significant fat cap on the outside. The C-shapedness comes from the grilling method, which is done on a skewer. Also watching this video makes me drool a bit.

mike

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Yes but mostly no. The meat I got did not have the fat cap. It was the same triangular shape and thickness, but was quite a bit smaller. I suspect it is the same cut, but they trim the fat and get maybe two pieces out of what is one piece in the video.

Thanks for the tip! I'll give them a call.

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I'm in MN now but my local Costco has been selling prime top sirloin cap that looks a lot like what you have in your links below. Unfortunately, like most supermarkets, the fat cap had been removed. It's a very flavorful but but not as tender as the "traditional" American steaks (strip loin, tenderloin, ribeye). The price is very good if I remember. I didn't know how best to grill it so I just grilled the whole thing and sliced thinly. Next time, I may try to cut into "chunks" before grilling. Good luck and post back with results.

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"It's not that I'm on commission, it's just I've sifted through a lot of stuff and it's not worth filling up on the bland when the extraordinary is within equidistant tasting distance." - David Lebovitz

As a followup, I was able to find picanha... right here in Naperville. Ellie's Deli is a deli / grocery that features Brazilian (and Polish) items. I was able to pick up 2 3-lb. picanhas as well as farofa and coxinha for the BBQ, and a Guarana for the ride home. The nice lady behind the deli counter and working the register asked if I were Brazilian based on my purchase, so I guess my selection was pretty spot on. I tried to remember everything I ate in Sao Paulo when I visited for a week on business, but dinners often included caipirinhas, so my memory was somewhat hazy...

And here is the prize. Note that the fat cap was almost obscene at 3/4 in. thick. I cut a cross-hatch pattern in the fat to make sure it crisped up.


Each slab was cut into two-inch wide slabs and bent into a C-shape on a spit, fat side out, and then simply seasoned with kosher salt.


These were sizeable hunks of meat, so I opted to use the Serious Eats method of grilling steak. They were started over indirect heat on a lump charcoal grill until they reached 115 F...


... and then seared over direct heat (Weber grills with lump get HOT) until 125 F and crusty.


The picanha turned out really well. They were very juicy and flavorful thanks to the thick fat cap. I was worried that the cut would be tough based on the comments above, and while it's no tenderloin, I prefer more chew anyways. And the tradeoff for beefy flavor was more than worth it.

Aside from the steak and items I mentioned above, guests also brought other Brazilian dishes including pão de queijo , heart of palm ceviche, and caipirinhas. Overall a successful Brazilian-themed Memorial Day BBQ!

Ellie's Deli
4003 Plainfield-Naperville Rd.
Suite 111
Naperville

mike

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Stickin' together is what good waffles do!

thanks for the follow up and conclusion to your search. especially the photos.

really nice looking finished beef there, do you recall how much it was per lb. @ Ellies?

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Before Cotton was King: http://www.grubseeker.blogspot.com

Thanks Jim! The picanha was $7.99 / lb, or around $24 for each roast.

mike

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Stickin' together is what good waffles do!