Brazil's Signature Beef Cut: The Picanha Rump Cap

The rump cap, widely recognized as picanha, is among the most sought-after beef cuts in Brazil, celebrated for its remarkable tenderness and deep, savory flavor.
Waiter cutting beef picanha with large knife

This triangular beef cut is taken from the upper portion of the rump in the hindquarter of the animal. Picanha demands skilled preparation; professional chefs typically handle the carving in restaurants, as an imprecise cut that fails to go against the grain can compromise the entire piece. Picanha is a signature offering at Brazilian churrascarias, the country's renowned traditional barbecue establishments.