Here are our  8 best side dishes to serve with Picanha - “The Queen of Steaks”. A richly deserved title for this great cut of steak. Picanha aka Coulotte or Rump Cap steak offers robust, beefy lean meat and an incredibly tasty buttery fat cap which lends itself to a wide range of delicious side dishes.  

 

Here is our Top 8:

 

1. Brazilian-style White Rice With Picanha

 

 

First up on our list is Brazilian white rice with Picanha.
The ingredients you will need to make this classic picanha side dish dish are long-grained white rice, minced garlic, diced white onions, olive oil, and salt. Our go-to choices for grains are usually Jasmine rice or Basmati rice. 

The secret is to sauté the onions and garlic in olive oil before tossing in your washed, uncooked white rice for extra flavor.

Then, add salt and boiling water or vegetable stock to your rice. Cover the pot, allowing it to simmer for twenty minutes or until all the liquid is soaked up by your grains.
Lastly, remove the lid slightly and let the rice rest for at least five minutes before serving. 

 

 

2. Tutu de Feijão (aka Brazilian Refried Beans) With Picanha

 

Elevate your Brazilian-style white rice by bringing refried beans into the mix. Tutu de Feijão (Brazilian refried beans) with Picanha is among the most popular Brazilian churrasco pairings
It is made with only a handful of ingredients, including:

• Black beans
• Cassava flour
• Bacon
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Onions
• Bay leaves
• Fresh parsley
• Salt, and black pepper.  

First, prep your beans by soaking them overnight in cold water. Then, cook them until they are super soft, either on your stovetop or with the help of an instant pot.
Keep 2 cups of beans aside and puree the remaining beans using a blender.

Dice your bacon into small pieces and cook them until they are crisp in a frying pan.
Add garlic, onions, and extra olive oil (if needed) to the pan, letting them render down until they are translucent.

Combine all your ingredients, incorporating cassava flour until you reach your desired consistency. Add your spices and fresh herbs, and then you’re ready to serve! 

 

 

3. Farofa With Picanha 

 

Most Brazilian steakhouses (aka churrascarias) serve Picanha with Farofa. It technically is not a side dish, yet it is the perfect pairing with Picanha.

Authentic Brazilian Farofa is a tasty blend of toasted cassava or cornflower, crispy bacon bits, diced onions, minced garlic, fresh parsley, and chimichurri seasoning.

While you are eating your Picanha Steak, dip each piece of steak in the Farofa mixture for the tastiest bite ever!

In our humble opinion, Farofa is the single best 8 side dishes to serve with Picanha and while we are at it....given a choice between Picanha vs. Ribeye, we would choose Picanha everytime!!

 

 

4.Lyonnaise Potatoes With Picanha 

 

 

Picanha is almost as popular in France as in Brazil, though the beef cut is more commonly referred to as Coulotte steak. With that in mind, why not pair your Picanha with delicious, crispy Lyonnaise potatoes?

This famous French side dish originated in the city of Lyon (hence its namesake). It consists of pan-fried thinly sliced potatoes and caramelized onions sauteed in lots of butter and parsley.  

Potatoes always make a stellar side dish for steaks, and Lyonnaise potatoes as a side dish to serve with Picanha is no exception.

They are simple to prepare yet packed with flavor. That said, lyonnaise potatoes will not overpower the Picanha, and the butter-like fat cap pairs incredibly well with the starch.

 

 

5. Sweet Plantains With Picanha

 

 

Picanha steak, especially a well cooked grass-fed steak picanha cut, served with sweet plantains is a match made in heaven and yet another Latin American 'go to' side dish to serve with picanha steak! You can cook your sweet plantains in a few different ways.

Our personal favorite pairing is fried sweet plantains with Picanha, otherwise known as Platanos Maduros.

Simply peel and slice your plantains into chips. Then, deep fry them in tallow or good quality olive oil until they are browned.
You can also air-fry, pan-fry, or oven-roast your plantains if you are looking for a healthier alternative.  

 

 

6. Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts With Picanha

 

Brussels sprouts are a severely underrated vegetable, even more so when they are coated in a delightful balsamic glaze to make one of the best side dishes to serve with Picanha due to the acid flavors from the glazed sprouts versus the tender picanha meat

Picanha with balsamic glazed brussels sprouts makes for a tasty and easy-to-make weeknight meal. The tart, slightly sweet flavors from the Balsamic vinegar tastes great with beefy Picanha and its buttery fat cap. 

First, clean, trim, and cut the vegetables in half. 

Then, season them with salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder before topping them with 1 to 2 tablespoons of balsamic glaze (depending on your preference). 

Many home cooks and chefs also incorporate honey into the marinade for added sweetness. After the brussels sprouts are well-coated, roast them in the oven or air fryer until they have a nice char on the outside.

 

 

 

7. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad With Picanha 

 

Mediterranean chickpea salad with Picanha is super nutritious yet finger-licking good and always makes it into our top side dishes to serve with Picanha. 

Chickpeas provide an excellent source of protein, fiber, and essential vitamins. Other popular ingredients featured in Mediterranean chickpea salads include cucumber, avocado, feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley.

You can also incorporate grains like couscous or rice for added carbs.

 

 

8. Roasted Bell Peppers and Squash With Picanha

Roasted vegetables, particularly bell peppers and squash like Zucchini, taste incredible when paired with juicy Picanha.

We recommend cutting peppers and squash into bite-sized pieces, so they are easier to roast and eventually consume later.
Season your chopped veggies with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. You may also add ground cayenne or cumin for a nice spice kick.