What's a Picanhas and what's better about it.

[whistlepig]

I have read good things about Pichanhas but never tried it. I found a place I can buy it. Just wondering if it's worth trying.

 

[SmokeyLee15]

I’ve had it in Mexico at really nice steak houses. One of the best steaks I’ve ever had. It has a really large fat cap on top of it which if cooked correctly, melts in your mouth. Do a little reading on it to make sure you cook it properly. The only place I could find them around here is a Mexican markets, the American butchers cut the fat cap off. Do you plan on smoking one?

 

[TNJAKE]

Picanha is a prized and delicious cut. It's often used in brazilian steakhouses. It rivals a tri tip for sure. I sent tx smoker one for Christmas from Porter Road butcher that was dry aged. You should definitely pull the trigger

 

[whistlepig]

I could grill it or smoke it. I have a preference for smoked meats.

 

[whistlepig]

Compared to other cuts of beef what is it like? Is it to be smoked and foiled? Slow smoked or grilled?

 

[clifish]

I can get it cheap here in NY at a restaurant supply house, has to be cooked correctly or it will be tough. I probably did not spend enough time to perfect it but I find Tri-tip much more forgiving.

 

[TNJAKE]

It's similar to tri tip as it's the sirloin cap. You can grill. Or santa maria. Also fine to smoke then reverse sear like a tri tip

 

[SmokeyLee15]

It’s best served rare, I’ve only made mine on a cast iron in the oven. I imagine wrapping it would be the best bet as to keep the fat from drying out after the first hour or so. Do you know how big of a piece you can get. My Mexican store makes me buy it 3-5 lbs so it can take awhile. It’s a sirloin cap I believe.

 

[whistlepig]

The place that I found the pichana also has tri tip. I have never had either. Tri tip or pichana?

 

[TNJAKE]

The place that I found the pichana also has tri tip. I have never had either. Tri tip or pichana?

Both lol. We cook tri tip once or twice a month here. It's definitely a favorite. You won't be disappointed in the picanha though. Get both and compare for yourself

 

[SmokeyLee15]

I have never dealt with Tri Tip, I’ll have to check it out!

 

[tropics]

Picanha on the Weber Kettle

This has to be the best steak I ever had!! I only trimmed some fat off the top (save fat to grease the grill) Salt both sides I had the grill already heated,so I wet a paper towel 7 took some fat out to rub the grate. This proved that the wet towel & fat made for a nonstick grating...

www.smokingmeatforums.com

 

[whistlepig]

Picanha on the Weber Kettle

This has to be the best steak I ever had!! I only trimmed some fat off the top (save fat to grease the grill) Salt both sides I had the grill already heated,so I wet a paper towel 7 took some fat out to rub the grate. This proved that the wet towel & fat made for a nonstick grating...

www.smokingmeatforums.com

That made things easy. picanha it is! And a tri tip on the next try.

 

[SmokeyLee15]

I'm curious on smoking temp and how long it takes as well as process, just might get started on my own!

 

[doongie]

I’ve not cooked one yet, but been meaning to try it. I’ve had it in Brazilian steakhouses in the US and Mexico, and it’s one of the best cuts I’ve had the pleasure of eating.
I think they use just coarse salt for seasoning. I’ve not investigated the cooking process in detail. I suspect the fat cap is integral to the final outcome.
I highly recommend trying it.

 

[chef jimmyj]

On the Sirloin Primal, the Picanha, Sirloin Cap is on top of the Top Sirloin, (Top Butt Roast) and is the Least Active Muscle of the primal. The Picanha is very tendet, similar to a Strip Loin. It best Med/Rare, smoke to 110, rest 20 minutes, Sear to 120- 125 and rest 15 minutes while Carryover finishes the cook. It gets tough cooked beyond a Finished IT of 145.
The Tri-Tip is on the bottom of the primal, it is a more active muscle and is less tender than the the Picanha, although still very good...JJ

 

[txdvr]

You may want to head over to the Sous Vide Everything you tube channel and take a look at their version of Picanhas.

It looks amazing!
If I remember correctly, they have a couple of different methods of cooking it on that channel. They are from Brazil.

Good luck!

 

[Gonna Smoke]

Here's a pretty good video explaining the difference between Tri Tip and Picanha...

 

[chopsaw]

tri tip on the next try.

Here's a smoked then seared Tri tip . Great piece of meat .

First Tri Tip roast

Don't see Tri tip around here , or maybe I don't know where to look . Went to a local grocery and they had a whole section full of them . $8.99 a pound , but went ahead and grabbed one . Turned out to be one of the best cuts of beef I have ever had . Now I know why I see guys talking about Tri...

www.smokingmeatforums.com

 

[danbono]

Picanha is real tender & tasty "IF" not over cooked. One of favorite cuts of beef.
Dan