Picanha is a cut of beef that is very popular in Brazil and Argentina, that is known as “rump cap” in the United States or as staartstuk in the Netherlands. It is a tender and flavorful piece of beef from the rear of the animal with a fat cap on top. In South America it is often served with chimichurri sauce, a green sauce with parsley, olive oil, and vinegar as its main ingredients.
When I saw this beautifully marbled and dry aged piece of picanha from Simmentaler beef, I couldn’t resist procuring it. It goes without saying that I cooked it sous-vide to get it perfectly medium rare from edge to edge. The beef was phenomenal and the sauce lightens it up, perfect for the summery weather we are having at the moment. Here’s what I did…
Ingredients
For 2 servings
350-400 grams (.8 lb) picanha (taking into account most of the fat cap will be trimmed)
salt
For the chimichurri
4 Tbsp minced fresh flat leaf parsley
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp chilli flakes
1/2 tsp salt
4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
Instructions
Trim most of the fat cap away, as the sous-vide cooking won’t render the fat. Leave a thin layer of fat on for flavor, and reserve the remaining fat for another use.
Score the fat layer in a criss cross pattern.
Season the picanha on all sides with salt.
Vacuum seal it and cook sous-vide for 2 hours at 55C/131F. Since this is a tender piece of meat, you only need to cook it until the core of the meat reaches 55C/131F.
While the picanha is in the sous-vide, combine the ingredients for the chimichurri in a small bowl…
…and stir to mix. That’s it, your chimichurri sauce is done. You may wish to taste it and adjust it to your liking.
When the picanha has finished cooking sous-vide, plunge the sous-vide bag with the meat in cold water for about 5 minutes so the outside will cool off a little. This is to prevent overcooking the meat while searing it.
You have three options for searing the meat:
- the broiler
- in a very hot frying pan
- on a charcoal grill
While the meat is cooling off, preheat a frying pan or the broiler (or start a bit earlier if you want to use a charcoal grill). The charcoal grill will provide the best flavor, but it is a lot of work to start a charcoal fire if you are only going to use it to sear the one piece of picanha.
After the meat has cooled off for 5 minutes, take it out of the sous-vide bag and pat dry with paper towels. Dry meat will make for a better sear.
Sear the meat using one of the three methods. When using the broiler, it should be very close to the broiling element (about 5 cm or 2 inches) as you want to get a good sear as quickly as possible (without overcooking the meat). The fat cap should be on top. The same goes for the charcoal grill: the coals should be very hot and the meat should be very close to it, with the fat cap facing the heat. You should not be able to hold your hand for more than a second at the spot where the meat is going to be.
When using a pan, there is no need to add any oil or butter. Simply start with the fat side, and the fat will render from it. Make sure the frying pan is very very hot before you begin and press the meat down.
Briefly sear the other sides as well in the fat that has rendered.
The searing is done when the fat cap is nicely browned.
After searing, wrap the meat in aluminum foil and allow it to rest for about 10 minutes.
Slice the meat across the grain.
Serve with the chimichurri sauce and a salad.
Wine pairing
Although a Malbec from Mendoza in Argentina would be a ‘local’ wine pairing, I prefer this with a more elegant red wine because of the chimichurri. I’ve tested the dish with the six wines depicted above. The Saia Nero d’Avola 2017 from Sicily, Firriato Nero d’Avola Harmonium 2013 from Sicily, La Tunella L’Arcione blend of Schiopettino and Pignolo from Friuli, and Brunello di Montalcino Campogiovanni 2010 were all great pairings. The Ama Chianti Classico 2011 was a bit too light for the dish.The Allgo Touriga Nacional 2016 from Portugal was a bit too fresh for the dish.
Flashback
Mackerel is a cheap and tasty fish, and healthy because it’s loaded with omega-3 fatty acids. A simple and tasty way to prepare it, is to roast mackerel in the oven with vegetables.
Stefan's Gourmet Blog 
I attended a cookery course in Buenos Aires a few years ago and I can honestly say your version is very close to the original and looks as delicious although in Argentina they rarely serve it with salad. Just bread if anything.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve never been to Argentina, but I’ve heard that beef is cheaper than vegetables there (and eaten more often).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stefan, I don’t know if it’s the new lights or what but those photos are really delicious looking. Another sous vide masterclass.
Bravo mon ami,
Conor
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve been using the lights for a while now, they just weren’t mounted properly yet. They have improved the colors, which is most visible with beef and the like.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That set of shots is really excellent. Love it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
What a gorgeous hunk of meat!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Che aspetto favoloso!
LikeLiked by 3 people
looks delicious Stefan. Perfectly cooked. In venezuela we add cilantro to the chimichurri sauce. Not many people like it but the vinegar in the sauce will tame that flavour. Also, chimichurri sauce ages well. I like it better a few hours after it’s done or even the next day or 2. I’m hungry again. thanks…. 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve seen so many variations that I decided I could present my own version 🙂 I also saw a lot of them with cilantro, but I am among those who are not crazy about it. I’ll try aging it the next time around — thanks for the tip!
LikeLike
you’re welcome! Your personal version is closer to the traditional argentinian one, the mother of all chimichurri sauces 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Di solito non amo la carne, ma questa mi sembra speciale
LikeLiked by 2 people
Excellant post! Another good finish would be deep fried for 15 to 30 seconds. It does wonders for beef tenderlion… finishes every nook and cranny.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I do like finishing sous-vide cooked beef in the deep fryer, especially if beef suet is the fat. It definitely works for beef tenderloin or other lean cuts. For picanha I’m not really sure if it would brown the fat cap as nicely (and fast enough). Definitely not in 15 to 30 seconds.
LikeLike
Have allowed max time to find your piece of meat . . . quite unsuccessfully . . . but quite believe I have found reasonable substitutes. You and I have to agree to make chimichurri a wee bit differently: mine has heaps more fresh oregano, some more parsley and mint also . . . I go for wee bit more garlic . . . all fresh naturally 🙂 ! All recipes from actual Argentinian cooks . . . to each their own etc . . . a soft SA red to sip alongside . . . what a pleasant way to spend an evening . . .
LikeLiked by 2 people
When I was in Australia I noticed that all the cuts of beef had different names, so I am not surprised you find it hard to find. Chimichurri is one of those sauces that doesn’t have a fixed recipe.
LikeLike
Chimichurri looks like the perfect accompaniment to this beautiful piece of beef Stefan. Almost dinner time here and you’ve got me wishing that this was on the menu tonight!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Fantastica. Resto sempre affascinato dalla tua tecnica.
🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Stefan, I got a veal picanha on the menu for tonight. The picanha was frozen. I wonder if I can prepare it sous vide in the same packing. Or should I unpack it and put it in a new sous vide bag (then with herbs of course)?
LikeLiked by 2 people
You have probably noticed when you open vacuum packed meat that it often has an unpleasant smell. This is caused by nitrogen bacteria that are active in an anaerobic environment (without oxygen) and that are harmless. However, you want to wash away that smell before cooking the meat sous-vide, because otherwise the smell can become stronger.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thx for your quick reply!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How did it turn out? What time and temperature did you use?
LikeLike
Really delicious although the herbes (lemongrass and fresh oregano) were vanished.
As my company arrived a little late (but who cares with sous vide 🙂 ) the picanha was for almost 3 hours on 53 degrees Celsius in my oven.
https://hapjesendrankjes.wordpress.com/2016/08/31/picanha-oregano-citroengras-knoflook/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Stefan,
I am fairly new to sius vide and have bought a 1kg piece of Picanha which I plan to put into action day after tomorrow. my question: you say it is not necessary to make it longer than abt 2 hours, which I undersatnd. But what would happen if I left it for 10mhours? would it fall apart? regards, Jan
LikeLike
Hi Jan, it would definitely not fall apart, it will just become more tender. Meat becomes TOO tender (mushy) when it is cooked sous vide for too long. 10 hours should probably not be a problem, but to be on the safe side you could lower the temperature to 54C. Let me know how it turns out! Enjoy, Stefan
LikeLike