Picanha

What is Picanha?

Picanha is an absolute BBQ classic in Brazil and is also known in the Netherlands as "staartstuk" (tail piece). The meat is located at the end of the flat butt, also known as the hindquarters, just below the tail. The rule here is: the further towards the tip, the tenderer the meat. From a single cow, two tail pieces can be cut, as a cow only has two hindquarters. In typical meat countries like America, Argentina, and Brazil, Picanha – also known as tail piece – is perhaps the number one barbecue meat. In Europe, this meat was considerably undervalued for a long time, but nowadays, fortunately, this top-quality BBQ meat is appreciated. More than deserved! Picanha/tail piece is wonderfully tender meat, fine in grain, and full of flavor. The meat has a characteristic fat cap on one side, which ensures it remains juicy and imparts a lot of flavor. Ideally, you should cook Picanha nicely on that fat cap. In South America, Picanha holds the status of ossenhaas, but since renowned butchers – such as Ginger Pig in London – have shared their love for this meat with the world, the popularity of this steak is rapidly increasing here as well. And rightly so! Picanha is delicious meat with a beautiful price/quality ratio! At The Butchery, you will find Picanha from the most beautiful breeds, including Black Angus USA, Wagyu, Hereford, Aberdeen Angus, and Rubia Gallega.

Why the Name Picanha?

The word "picanha" originally comes from Portuguese and has its origin in the regional and ethnic language usage in Brazil. It is believed that the term "picanha" may be derived from the word "picana," an old Portuguese word that refers to a piece of meat skewered and roasted over fire. In Brazil, picanha is often roasted in a style called "churrasco," where the meat is prepared on charcoal grills. Picanha is usually seasoned with salt because the flavor of the meat itself is already rich and juicy. Because picanha is one of the most beloved cuts of beef in Brazil and the surrounding countries, it has spread its name to other parts of the world and is now recognized as a premium meat choice worldwide.

How Many Grams of Picanha per Person?

When buying picanha, you must always keep in mind that the weight will decrease slightly during preparation. After all, there is a nice fat cap on it, which will partly melt during cooking. Therefore, you should account for a higher weight than, for example, a tournedos or kogelbiefstuk.

Picanha as a Main Course
Normal eater: 250-300 grams
Big eater: 350-400 grams
Hardcore carnivore: 400+ grams

Picanha to Share
Normal eater: 400-600 grams
Big eater: 600-800 grams
Hardcore carnivore: no share

BBQ with Different Types of Meat
Normal eater: 100 grams
Big eater: 150-200 grams
Hardcore carnivore: 250 grams

Can Picanha be Prepared Sous-Vide?

Picanha is excellent for sous-vide preparation. Sous-vide is a great technique to cook picanha evenly while the meat retains its natural juices and flavors. With sous-vide cooking, you have ultimate control over your steak.

Check the vacuum bag in which the picanha is packaged. In principle, it can be prepared sous-vide in the bag in which we package it. However, you may need to repackage it if there is a hole in the packaging or if you want to season it before it goes into the sous-vide bath. Set the stick to 52°C for rare, 54°C for medium/rare, or 56°C for medium, and place the picanha in the sous-vide bath. Now you don't have to watch it for 3 hours. Sear the picanha on the BBQ or in the pan. You can optionally use a torch. Let the picanha rest for another 10 minutes before slicing it..

Picanha on the BBQ, How Long?

Picanha BBQ, picanha and BBQ: they are inseparably linked. Picanha goes very well on the BBQ! But how long exactly should you dedicate to it? It depends on the weight and size of your meat and, of course, the temperature of your BBQ. A core thermometer is useful to first bring your meat to a core temperature of 45 degrees with indirect grilling. For illustration: at a constant temperature of 130 degrees, it takes about an hour to bring a 1200-gram picanha to the desired core temperature. After that, you can prepare the barbecue for direct grilling to sear your tail piece nicely until it reaches a temperature of approximately 52 degrees. Be careful, above the coals it goes quickly, so it won't take long.

Also, don't forget to let your picanha rest for another 10 minutes under aluminum foil after it comes off the BBQ.

Looking for a good recipe for smoked Picanha on the BBQ? Find it here!

Preparing Picanha

How do you best prepare picanha? It is relatively simple. This meat doesn't require much, because thanks to the fat cap, it is deliciously juicy and flavorful. Cut the fat cap in a crosshatch pattern and rub it to taste with some freshly ground black pepper. You can then season the meat as you like, for example with a BBQ rub, but that's not necessarily required. Picanha has that typical authentic beef flavor. Whether you prepare this meat (or another large piece of BBQ meat) on the BBQ or in the pan: a core thermometer is useful. After all, measuring = knowing. Sear it quickly and then let it cook slowly (until a core temperature of approximately 52 degrees, depending on your desired doneness). Then let it rest for a few more minutes, and voila, you have a divine piece of meat to share with multiple people. Find a complete recipe here.

What Do You Eat with Picanha?

What do you eat with Picanha? Chimichurri, of course! This amazing South American salsa pairs perfectly with the authentic meat flavor of picanha. Additionally, you can also serve hasselback potatoes and grilled vegetables, as they always complement it well!

Buy Picanha Online

Picanha is perhaps one of the most popular cuts of the moment, especially among BBQ enthusiasts. Do you want to buy tail piece online? You can do so at The Butchery from various meat breeds, including USA Black Angus, Australian Wagyu, Hereford, Aberdeen Angus, Rubia Gallega, and A5 BMS12 Wagyu. We deliver from Monday to Friday between 17:00 – 22:00, and if you order before 11:00, you can have your meat at home the same evening. If you wish, that is, because you can choose your own delivery day. You receive your order quickfrozen, meaning: frozen within an hour with optimal preservation of taste, structure, and nutritional values. So it can easily go back into the freezer if needed. Buying picanha online is a breeze!

Quickfrozen Picanha Delivered

Above, you read that the picanha is delivered quickfrozen. How does that work? We're happy to explain! Upon arrival of the meat from our supplier, the meat first goes through our Master Butchers for quality control and is trimmed if necessary. Rest assured, we do not remove the fat cap from the picanha, but we do trim it a bit if it is really thick. After all, the fat cap is one of the characteristics of picanha. Then, the picanhas are individually packaged, weighed & labeled, and frozen in a special way within an hour. This means that the picanha is frozen at an extremely low temperature, thus preserving the nutritional values, taste, and texture. Did you order picanha? Then the men from our warehouse will find your picanha in the freezer with the rest of your order and pack it in a box + insulation bag + dry ice, so that your order is delivered frozen to your home. Then it can easily go back into the freezer at home!

Order Picanha Online

Ordering a picanha online is a breeze. You choose a picanha from The Butchery, select the desired weight, and add it to your cart. Then you fill the rest of your cart with other groceries and check out securely. We take care of the rest!

Quickfrozen Picanha Delivered

Above, you read that the picanha is delivered quickfrozen. How does that work? We're happy to explain! Upon arrival of the meat from our supplier, the meat first goes through our Master Butchers for quality control and is trimmed if necessary. Rest assured, we do not remove the fat cap from the picanha, but we do trim it a bit if it is really thick. After all, the fat cap is one of the characteristics of picanha. Then, the picanhas are individually packaged, weighed & labeled, and frozen in a special way within an hour. This means that the picanha is frozen at an extremely low temperature, thus preserving the nutritional values, taste, and texture. Did you order picanha? Then the men from our warehouse will find your picanha in the freezer with the rest of your order and pack it in a box + insulation bag + dry ice, so that your order is delivered frozen to your home. Then it can easily go back into the freezer at home!

Order Picanha Online

Ordering a picanha online is a breeze. You choose a picanha from The Butchery, select the desired weight, and add it to your cart. Then you fill the rest of your cart with other groceries and check out securely. We take care of the rest!