Get the best coulotte steak recipe for cast iron searing or grilling this beef cut. Make super tender, juicy “picanha steak”, with complete details on exactly what is coulotte steak and how to cook it. Let’s go!
Why it’s the best coulotte steak recipe in the world
- Fool-proof! Use my tried and true tips and a meat thermometer.
- Simple seasoning. You need little more than salt and pepper.
- See how to cast iron sear coulotte steak. Step by step photos and video are included in this Sip Bite Go cooking demonstration.
- Learn to grill it. The marbling makes coulotte steaks great for grilling.
- Huge flavor!! HUGE!! Simple, but juicy and tender and so freakin’ tasty.
What is coulotte steak?
It is a beef cut with plenty of marbling that is delicious to stir fry, make steak sandwiches or tacos with, or just eat as is with some jalapeno ranch dressing and tasty potato steak sides.
Also see this recipe for grilled sirloin steak with a teriyaki steak marinade…
Wondering where to buy coulotte steaks?
Shop online butchers and meat delivery companies, or your local supermarket, and keep your eyes peeled for these names…
- Top sirloin cap steak
- Picanha steak
- Fat cap
- Sirloin primal cut
- Rump cap (or some other reference to sirloin butt and bottom)
See how to smoke sirloin steak…
Do you always find a coulotte steak fat cap?
Although it’s a lean cut of steak from the beef loin, you’ll almost always find it cut with a thin layer of fat covering one side of the cut of beef. In this recipe, you’ll learn how to leave the fat cap intact and maximize the juicy flavor it provides by scoring the fat cap before searing or grilling it.
Ingredients for this recipe
Start with my simple ingredients…
- For the simple seasoning: salt, black pepper, garlic powder
- 1 (8oz) coulotte steak (aka top sirloin cap roast)
- Olive oil
How to cook coulotte steak
This recipe is fast and easy. Let’s start with directions for cooking coulotte steak in a cast iron pan on the stove…
Step 1. Make the coulotte steak seasoning. In a small mixing bowl, combine the salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to make the dry rub.
Step 2. Score the coulotte fat cap. Score fat cap in ½ inch perpendicular lines. See Sip Bite Go recipe video for coulotte steak for an example.
Step 3. Season coulotte steak. Generously sprinkle steak seasoning all over the beef cut.
Step 4. Sear coulotte steak. Heat a cast iron skillet to medium-high heat. Add olive oil and once it becomes hot and shiny and begins to smoke, add the steak, fat side down is preferable (photo A) although we didn’t do that in this photo – whoops! Sear steak for about 2-3 minutes until a brown crust forms on the side of the beef touching the pan.
Flip the steak and sear the other side for about 2-3 minutes (photo B) until the steak forms a brown crust. Quickly sear the edges (using tongs to hold the steak) for 10-20 seconds (photo C) each to brown them, but not longer so the steak doesn’t overcook.
Step 5. Use a meat thermometer to check the steak temperature. The steak in the Sip Bite go recipe was cooked to medium rare, almost medium at 135°F-140°F.
If steak has not yet reached your desired steak temperature, keep flipping it every 20-30 seconds until it reaches temperature (photo D).
Note: I recommend taking steak off the heat a little before the desired steak temp has been reached, since it continues cooking off of the heat.
Step 6. Rest steak on a cutting board for 10 minutes, then serve. If you’re feeling fancy, add on some tasty compound butter for steak with garlic and herbs to make your taste buds explode. Or just add on a tablespoon of butter to melt and add juicy flavor.
How about something to serve on the side? These sauteed peppers and onions are an easy side dish for steak recipes.
Want to grill coulotte steak?
Use the same method above, but brush or spray some cooking spray on the grill before adding the steak. Cook steak on high heat (about 500°F). Use the same method of cooking a few minutes on each side, then flipping the steak until it reaches its desired temperature.
Also see these easy steak recipes for smoked tri tip and perfectly roasted tri tip in the oven.
Temperature chart for steak searing or grilling
Here are the cooking temperatures chart for steaks you grill or sear in a cast iron pan. The photos on Sip Bite Go demonstrate cooking medium rare or medium coulotte steak around 135 °F – 140 °F.
- Rare steak (125-130°F) is still red inside.
- Medium rare steak (130-140°F) is red to pink inside.
- Medium steak (140-150°F) is mostly pink.
- Medium well steak (150-160°F) has just a slight bit of pink inside.
- Well cooked steak (160°F) has no red or pink inside.
FAQs for making coulotte steak for beginners
Super easy! My recipe walks you through all the fine details, but coulotte steak is easy to prepare and is delicious when cooked on cast iron or on a grill.
Yes! Picanha is simply the Portuguese name for this steak. Coulotte steak is hugely popular in Portuguese-speaking Brazil, where they are referred to as Picanha.
The coulotte steak is a top cap boneless steak. That’s the triangular shaped cap cut from the top sirloin, on the hindquarter section of the cow.
Coulotte steak can go well with almost anything—serve it up with your favorite starch and a yummy vegetable side! Start the meal with a simple tomato cucumber salad or strawberry salad. Then pair the main steak dinner entree with an easy pasta side dish or potato side dish for steak, like my sous vide fingerling potatoes.
This medium rare coulotte steak was sliced thin for philly cheese steak pizza.
More Steak Dinner Ideas from Sip Bite Go
Pro tip: One of my go-to tricks for perfectly cooked food every time is using the right BBQ meat thermometers.
Are you a foodie, too?
Hey home chefs, I want to see photos of your delicious steak dinners! Find me on Instagram @sipbitego to tag me and connect.
Next, check out how to make this tasty sirloin steak in oven.
Want to make restaurant-style food at home? I teach you how here on Sip Bite Go and with in-depth video guides on the Sip Bite Go channel.
How To Cook Coulotte Steak Recipe | Sip Bite Go
Video
Ingredients
- 1 (8oz) coulotte steak (aka top sirloin cap roast)
- 1 tsp olive oil
For the coulotte steak seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Make the coulotte steak seasoning. In a small mixing bowl, combine the salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to make the dry rub.
- Score the coulotte fat cap. Score fat cap in ½ inch perpendicular lines. See Sip Bite Go recipe video for coulotte steak for an example.
- Season coulotte steak. Generously sprinkle steak seasoning all over beef cut.
- Sear coulotte steak. Heat a cast iron skillet to medium-high heat. Add olive oil and once it becomes hot and shiny and begins to smoke, add the steak, fat side down. Sear steak about 2-3 minutes until a brown crust forms on the side of the beef touching the pan. Flip the steak and sear the other side for about 2-3 minutes until steak forms a brown crust. Quickly sear the edges (using tongs to hold the steak) for 10-20 seconds each to brown them, but not longer so the steak doesn’t overcook.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the steak temperature. The steak in the Sip Bite go recipe was cooked to medium rare, almost medium at 135°F-140°F. If steak has not yet reached your desired steak temperature, keep flipping it every 20-30 seconds until it reaches temperature. (I recommend to take it off the heat a little before the desired steak temp has been reached, since it continues cooking off of the heat).
- Rest steak on a cutting board for 10 minutes, then serve. You can add 1 tbsp butter, or compound butter as seen on Sip Bite Go, on top of steak at this time to melt and add juicy flavor.
How to grill coulotte steak
- Use the same method above, but brush or spray some cooking spray on the grill before adding the steak. Cook steak on high heat (about 500°F). Use the same method of cooking a few minutes on each side, then flipping the steak until it reaches its desired temperature.
Notes
Temperature chart for steaks
- Rare steak (125-130°F) is still red inside.
- Medium rare steak (130-140°F) is red to pink inside.
- Medium steak (140-150°F) is mostly pink.
- Medium well steak (150-160°F) has just a slight bit of pink inside.
- Well cooked steak (160°F) has no red or pink inside.
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