Picanha vs Coulotte: What Makes These Cuts So Special

Dry Aged Beef Picanha with fat cap on a cuttingboard

Yoohoo, another short chat about some of our specialty cuts at Creamery Creek!  I get questions about picanhas frequently, and it's for a good reason.  But you should also know about the other very related steak, the coulotte!

If you have been hunting for something new and bold to throw on the grill, chances are you have heard of picanha or coulotte. These are not your everyday grocery store cuts, but when you find them, you will understand why they are treasured by beef lovers everywhere. At Creamery Creek, our picanha steaks almost always sell out, and here is why.

What Is Picanha?

Picanha is a Brazilian favorite, also known as the rump cap or sirloin cap. It has a thick fat cap that bastes the meat as it cooks, locking in juice and giving it incredible flavor. In Brazilian steakhouses, you often see picanha skewered and roasted over open flame, carved straight onto your plate. The rich, beefy flavor combined with tender texture makes it unforgettable.  You really have to try this!

What Is Coulotte?

Coulotte steak is cut from the same muscle group as picanha, but it is typically trimmed away from the fat cap. Without that layer of fat, you get leaner slices that cook up quickly and deliver a bold sirloin-style flavor. Coulotte is versatile, easy to grill, and a smart choice if you like leaner cuts without losing tenderness.

Picanha vs Coulotte

Think of picanha and coulotte as two sides of the same story.

If you love juicy steaks with melt-in-your-mouth richness, picanha with its fat cap is the one for you.  This is the one we carry at Creamery Creek.  

If you prefer leaner cuts that still carry strong beef flavor, coulotte is what you want, you'll just have to trim out our picanha.  

Both are top-tier cuts, and both come from a part of the cow that does not yield much meat. That is one reason they are hard to find and quick to sell out.

Why They Sell Out at Creamery Creek

At Creamery Creek, we dry age our beef for unmatched flavor. With limited quantities available from each animal, we cut just the picanha, and these specialty steaks disappear fast.

Picanha are not mass-produced cuts. They require careful butchery and only come in small numbers, which is why when they hit our store, they do not last long.

Why You Should Care

Trying picanha or coulotte is like discovering a secret steakhouse cut. They are full of character, rich in flavor, and rare enough to feel like a treat. If you see them available in our shop, grab them while you can. Cook them hot and fast on the grill, slice thin across the grain, and you will taste why customers come back asking for more.

If you see our picanha in stock, grab them quick and let us know how you cook them!

XOXO, 

Louisa