Tender Brazilian Churrasco Picanha Skewers Easy Recipe for Beginners
A simple and authentic Brazilian churrasco recipe featuring tender, juicy picanha beef skewers seasoned with coarse salt and grilled to perfection. Perfect for beginners and quick to prepare.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Brazilian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds picanha beef, trimmed but with fat cap intact
- Coarse sea salt, generous amount
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
- Freshly ground black pepper (optional)
- Wooden or metal skewers
Instructions
- Trim the picanha into thick slices about 1 to 1.5 inches wide, keeping the fat cap intact. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Sprinkle coarse sea salt evenly on all sides of each piece. Optionally add freshly ground black pepper.
- Fold each slice in half, fat side out, and thread onto skewers to form a ‘C’ shape.
- Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (around 400°F). For charcoal grill, wait until coals are glowing red with a light layer of ash.
- Brush grill or pan lightly with oil to prevent sticking. Also brush skewers lightly with oil if desired.
- Grill skewers fat-side down first for 4–6 minutes per side, turning carefully with tongs until a deep golden crust forms and fat is crispy but not burnt.
- Check doneness aiming for medium-rare to medium (130–140°F internal temperature). Use a meat thermometer or cut into thickest part to check.
- Transfer skewers to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices.
- Remove meat from skewers, slice against the grain into bite-sized pieces, and serve.
Notes
Do not trim the fat cap as it bastes the meat and adds flavor. Use coarse salt generously to form a savory crust. Flip skewers carefully with tongs to avoid piercing the meat. Rest meat for at least 5 minutes before slicing. Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning. If flare-ups occur, move skewers to a cooler part of the grill.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 4 oz (
- Calories: 275
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Protein: 22
Keywords: Brazilian churrasco, picanha skewers, grilled beef, churrasco recipe, Brazilian barbecue, easy beef skewers, beginner grilling