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Grilled Picanha Steak with Chimichurri & Grilled Veggies

4.73 from 29 votes

What’s Inside: Love Brazilian steak? Then, make it at home! This grilled Picanha steak, also known as Coulotte or Top Sirloin is a juicy, tender cut of meat with a fat cap giving it extra flavor. Serve it up grilled with a simple chimichurri sauce and grilled veggies for a quick, nourishing meal.


Grilled picanha steak is sliced with chopped vegetables and chimichurri sauce served on a wooden cutting board. A fork and a steak knife are sitting on opposite end of the board.
This recipe was made in partnership with Grass Roots Coop. As always, I only recommend and partner with brands I trust and use myself.

As a holistic nutritionist, I love to create delicious food that fills my body with comfort and joy, as well as a heap of goodness. This grilled flank steak and chimichurri sauce can be on the table in 30 minutes and is so easy to prepare. It makes a great low-carb, Whole30, Paleo, AND AIP dinner recipes!

What is Picanha Steak?

Picanha steak is a tender cut of meat, also known as coulotte or top sirloin which is the hindquarter section of the cow, specifically between the loin and the round. Often a couple of inches thick, Coulotte is usually identified by the prominent layer of fat (the fat cap) that covers one side of the cut. “Picanha” is popular in Brazil and most recognizably prepared on double skewers in a horseshoe shape and sliced thinly at Brazilian steakhouses!

 

Just getting started on AIP (or need a refresh)? Sign up here to receive a 1-week AIP Meal Plan using some of my most popular AIP recipes to make it stress-free and delicious.

 

Grilling Picanha steak with vegetables, smothered in chimichurri is how I’m making it easily at home. This dish cooks up quickly and is packed with flavor and textures anyone will love. It makes an incredible AIP dinner recipe and meal plan idea!

Grilled picanha steak on a cutting board. It is sliced and drizzled in chimichurri sauce.

Grass-Fed Steak vs. Grain-Fed Steak

I recommend and prefer to use grass-fed and grass-finished steak for a few reasons.

Firstly, it’s more nutrient-dense and is an excellent source of Omega 3’s and antioxidants.

I bet you never considered beef as a good source of Omega 3’s before, right? I sure never used to… we tend to hear about Salmon as an excellent source but not beef. That’s because conventional beef is a poor source. All grass-fed and finished beef have better levels of good fats and a healthy ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6. Grass Roots, where I source my meat from, tested their 90% lean grass-fed ground beef recently, and it had 200mg of total Omega 3 per 100g serving compared to only 36mg for conventional, grain-fed beef. That’s a drastic difference!

In working with nutritional therapy clients, I see fatty acids as one of the biggest deficiencies and it’s a major concern. Yet, Omega 3 is vital for so many aspects of our health: brain development both during pregnancy and childhood, and brain health in later life, eye health, and a reduced risk of both metabolic disorders and heart disease.

Grass-fed and grass-finished beef is also the only kind that contains conjugated linoleic acid which has been shown to help prevent weight gain. This kind of beef also has more antioxidants like Vitamin E  and Vitamin K2 which is vital for getting calcium into your bones and away from your arteries where it can cause plaques and heart attacks.

Watch your labels – if it isn’t grass-fed and grass-finished, much of the health benefits just aren’t there.

Sliced grilled flank steak with chopped vegetables and avocado dressing served on a wooden cutting board.

Secondly, it’s the natural diet for cows to eat and is kinder than grains which often cause infections (and lead to the use of antibiotics, which we then eat), all in the name of bigger, fatter meat to sell.

Supporting farms that raise cattle on pastures where they enjoy fresh air, sunlight, and room to roam means it’s more ethically sound and a better product. 

Thirdly, when animals are pasture-raised, as described above… it’s beneficial to the environment.

For more resources on the topic of Regenerative Farming, I highly recommend watching the documentary, Sacred Cow or reading the book for incredible data to dive in deeper.

tip!
Labels can be super confusing and it can be difficult to know who to trust and what companies or farms to support. This is why I highly recommend and use Grass Roots Coop. All their farms use Regenerative farming practices and they're totally transparent. Their selection is amazing and the product is reliable and delicious. Signing up to their email for discounts and sales is also a great way to save money!
Sliced grilled picanha steak with roasted vegetables and chimichurri sauce served on a wooden cutting board. A fork and a steak knife are sitting on opposite end of the board.

Key Ingredients

For the Picanha steak and veggies, you’ll need:

  • at least 2 lbs Coulotte Steak
  • 1 medium zucchini
  • 1 summer squash
  • 2 bell peppers (skip for AIP)
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • coarse sea salt

For the chimichurri, you’ll add these ingredients to a food processor until your sauce is formed:

  • ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley
  • 3 tsp capers
  • 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp dried oregano
  • 3 tsp red pepper flakes (skip for AIP)
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • Sea salt to taste
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Sliced grilled  flank steak drizzled in chimichurri sauce. Served on a wooden chopping board alongside grilled veggies.

This delicious grilled flank steak only takes 10 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook! If you are looking for other AIP-friendly meals that can be ready in a flash, then check out my 10-minute tuna pasta or 18-minute greek meatballs. These meatballs taste great dipped in the chimichurri sauce too!

How to Make This Dish

First, make the chimichurri sauce by combining all ingredients in a food processor and pulsing until smooth, and set aside.

Then, clean steak by trimming off any remaining “silver skin”, leaving the fat cap intact. Slice steak into 1-inch thick steaks with the grain. Discard the ends (they’re often too chewy), and keep the thick pieces (4-6 pieces) and season them with sea salt.

Toss chopped vegetables with olive oil to coat and season with sea salt to taste.

To a hot grill or an oiled cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, add the vegetables and steaks. Cook the steaks for approx. 9-12 mins, flipping halfway, for medium-doneness or to your liking. Cook the vegetables for the same amount of time or a little longer. They will be golden brown on the exterior and soft on the interior.

Lastly, allow the meat to rest for 5 minutes before slicing it thin, serving alongside vegetables, and drizzling with chimichurri.

Close up side view of sliced grilled picanha steak with a drizzel of chimichurri on top. Served on a wooden cutting board with grilled vegetables.

FAQs

How should I store grilled flank steak and chimichurri sauce?

If making ahead for meal prep or preserving leftovers, store all components in an airtight container for up to 4-days in the refrigerator. I’d recommend saving excess chimichurri separately for up to a week for more meals — it’s delicious!

Can I freeze this?

While I don’t really like to freeze meat once it has been cooked, you can do it. Make sure it is cooled thoroughly first, then pop it into an airtight container. You can freeze it for up to 3 months in the freezer. Make sure it is properly defrosted before you reheat it. I do find that the meat drys out a bit in the freezer, so I would recommend eating it fresh when it is full of its juices.

The chimichurri sauce is great for freezing! I love having a batch of this in my freezer for quick meal prep days. Keep in in an airtight bag or box and it will last for about a month frozen. You can use it in this recipe or use it to top tacos or salads, pork chops, or any of your favorite dishes!

Should I let the Picanha steak rest before cooking?

While it’s not vital, I like to leave my steak to rest at room temperature for up to 45 minutes before cooking. It helps the steak cook more evenly.

Can I substitute any other kind of steak for the Picanha?

Yes – flank steak works great if you can’t find any Picanha (or Coulotte.) It is a fatty cut of meat, meaning extra tasty. And it’s filled with Omega3 and other nutrients…what could be better?

Hungry For More Delicious Meat Dishes?

Did you love this grilled flank steak recipe? If you want to see more carnivorous meals, then check these delicious plates out:

If you tried this Grilled Picanha Steak with Chimichurri & Grilled Veggies, please consider leaving a star rating and comment below. Or you can tag me, @foodbymars, on Instagram and Facebook. I love seeing your creations!

grilled picanha steak with vegetables and chimichurri served on a cutting board

Grilled Picanha Steak with Chimichurri & Grilled Veggies

4.73 from 29 votes
Love Brazilian steak? Then, make it at home! This grilled Picanha steak, also known as Coulotte or Top Sirloin is a juicy, tender cut of meat with a fat cap giving it extra flavor. Serve it up grilled with a simple chimichurri sauce and grilled veggies for a quick, nourishing meal.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Resting Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4

Ingredients

Steak and Veggies

  • 2 lbs Coulotte Steak
  • 1 medium zucchini chopped
  • 1 summer squash chopped
  • 2 bell peppers chopped (skip for AIP)
  • 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Coarse sea salt to taste

Chimichurri

  • ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley
  • 3 tsp capers
  • 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp dried oregano
  • 3 tsp red pepper flakes (skip for AIP)
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • Sea salt to taste
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil

Instructions:

  • Make chimichurri sauce by combining all ingredients in a food processor and pulsing until smooth, and set aside.
  • Clean steak by trimming off any remaining “silver skin”, leave the fat cap intact. Slice steak into 1-inch thick steaks with the grain. Discard the ends (they’re often too chewy), and keep the thick pieces (4-6 pieces) and season them with sea salt.
  • Toss chopped vegetables with olive oil to coat and season with sea salt to taste.
  • To a hot grill or an oiled cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, add the vegetables and steaks. Cook the steaks for approx. 9-12 mins., flipping halfway, for medium-doneness or to your liking. Cook the vegetables for the same amount of time or a little longer until golden brown on the exterior and soft on the interior.
  • Allow the meat to rest for 5 minutes before slicing thin, serving alongside vegetables, and drizzling with chimichurri.
Diet: Brazilian
Keywords: paleo, steak
Course: Main Course

This recipe was made in partnership with Grass Roots Coop. As always, I only recommend and partner with brands I trust and use myself.

-Alison Marras
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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27 comments

  1. This is absolutely perfect for a family member of mine! The fresh ingredients seem like they add a little something special. I can’t wait to make it this weekend. 🙂

  2. I remember hearing my grandma mention coulotte steaks when I was younger. I’m so happy to have read your recipe for the instructions and the memory!

  3. Just stunning and packed with so many flavours – love your presentation on a wooden board too, would make a great sharing dish for guests.

  4. Loving this recipe. There’s nothing quite like a good steak with chimichurri. I never knew about the differences in Omega 3s between grain and grass fed cows – that’s so interesting!

  5. This steak and seasoning is off the charts delicious! What a delicious dish I love the ease of this recipe so good!

  6. This steak was so tender and the chimichurri sauce was delicious with it. It’s a great filling meal when short of time.

  7. You are so right about the benefits of grass-feed beef. We’re lucky to live in a place where having that type of meat isn’t a luxury so can say that the meat is more flavored and nutritious.

  8. This is my favorite but of beef and the recipe is really good. Love all the spices used and the vegetables go really well with the steak. Yum!

  9. This steak recipe is amazing. If you cook per the instructions, you get a really nice texture and great flavor.

  10. Oh wow!! This steak looks seriously amazing!! I love the char looking outside and the tender meat inside. What a great Sunday roast idea. The vegetables are that extra bonus of nutrition. Loved all the tips and tricks, thanks!

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