Name: Picanha with Chimichurri
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 23 min
Ingredients: 1 cup boiled water; 1 teaspoon vegemite; 1 cube beef stock; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon sweet paprika; 3 pounds picanha ((also known as a rump cap or sirloin cap)); sea salt flakes (to taste); 1/2 cup red wine vinegar; 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes; 4 teaspoons minced fresh garlic; 3 shallots, (finely chopped); 1 jalapeño (finely chopped); 1 teaspoon smoked chili powder; 1/2 cup cilantro (finely chopped); 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley (finely chopped); 4 tablespoons fresh oregano (finely chopped); 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

The Picanha -style of meat originates in Brazil, but this version has a few unique twists on it before being served with a chimichurri sauce. The chimichurri sauce is packed with fresh herbs, like parsley, cilantro, and oregano.

Picanha is sold around the world under different names. You might find it as a rump cap in Australia and the United Kingdom, as well as a sirloin cap in the United States of America. They are often bent in a horseshoe shape, skewered, then cooked.

The injection in this recipe uses Vegemite, which is a more natural source of umami, unlike processed MSG. If this is something that you can’t easily access then substitute it with more beef stock cubes or powder.

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Sliced picanha is drizzled with chimichurri sauce ready to eat.

This south American-influenced meal consists of Brazilian Picanha and Argentinian Chimichurri.

Picanha is sliced showing its soft pink center in contrast to its brown crusty exterior.

Picanha, also known as rump cap or sirloin cap, makes a great piece of meat to be smoked.

Chimichurri sauce is prepared and ready to serve.

Chimichurri is a raw sauce that gets most of its flavors from fresh herbs like parsley, coriander, and garlic.

Picanha is cooking in indirect heat on a barbecue.

Picanha is a Brazilian-style of meat that is also known as a rump cap or sirloin cap depending on where you live.

Picanha with Chimichurri Recipe

Ben Arnot

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The Pincanha-style of meat originates in Brazil, but this version has a few unique twists on it before being served with a chimichurri sauce.

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Preparation 20

Cook 3

Ready in 23

Servings Servings

CourseDinner

InfluenceGlobal

DifficultySeasoned

MethodSmoke

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Ingredients

Beef Injection

1 cup boiled water
1 teaspoon vegemite
1 cube beef stock
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon sweet paprika

Picanha

3 pounds picanha (also known as a rump cap or sirloin cap)
sea salt flakes to taste

Chimichurri

1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sea salt flakes
4 teaspoons minced fresh garlic
3 shallots, finely chopped
1 jalapeño finely chopped
1 teaspoon smoked chili powder
1/2 cup cilantro finely chopped
1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley finely chopped
4 tablespoons fresh oregano finely chopped
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Equipment

barbecue

Directions

Beef Injection

In a heatproof bowl add the boiled water with the vegemite and beef stock. Stir until completely dissolved.
Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, and sweet paprika. Let cool to room temperature before injecting.

Picanha

Crosshatch the fat cap on the picanha with a knife about 1/4-inch (1cm).
Inject the meat with the injection piercing the meat about every 1/2-inch (2 cm) to ensure it is well distributed.
Pat the entire piece of meat dry with a paper towel including any overflow injection. Then salt heavily and rub it into the meat. This step may be repeated as this cut of meat and style of cooking is traditionally very salty.
Set up the barbecue for indirect cooking or use a smoker. Pre-heat to 225 degrees F (108 degrees C).
Add the picanha to the barbecue and cook for approximately 3 hours. The time is approximate and may change with the weight, thickness, and start temperature of the meat as a few variables. Use a thermometer to regularly check the temperate to get to your preferred doneness.
At 3 hours, or when the internal temperature reaches 130 degrees F (55 degrees C), wrap the meat in foil. Then wrap it in a dry towel and place it in a dry warm cooler to rest for 1 hour.

Chimichurri

While the picanha is cooking, add the vinegar, salt, garlic, shallots, jalapeño, chili powder, coriander, parsley, oregano, and olive oil into a blender. Pulse the blender until well combined and smooth. Move to a serving dish and chill until needed, letting it rest helps the flavors combine.

To Serve

Slice the picanha about 1/4-inch-thick (1cm). Lay the slices out then drizzle with the chimichurri sauce.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 867kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 77gFat: 57gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 36gCholesterol: 208mgSodium: 849mgPotassium: 1420mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 969IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 205mgIron: 9mg