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    Butcher Shop

    A Guide to Brazilian Cuts of Meat

    Nilo's Team
    Recent
    Brazilian Cuts of Meat

    Picanha, fraldinha, alcatra — confused by Brazilian cuts? Here's a simple, friendly breakdown from our butcher counter.

    Quick Answer

    Brazilian butcher shops feature specialty cuts like picanha (top sirloin cap), fraldinha (flank steak), alcatra (top sirloin), and costela (ribs) — each prepared differently and prized for grilling. Nilo's Market & Grill in Holbrook, MA carries these cuts fresh at its in-house butcher counter.

    Why Brazilian Cuts Are Different

    Brazilian butchery slices beef along different muscle lines than typical American cuts, which is why you'll see names on the menu you might not recognize from your local supermarket. Each cut has its own personality — some rich and fatty, some lean and tender, all built for the grill.

    The Essential Cuts

    PicanhaThe most iconic Brazilian cut. It's the top sirloin cap, known for its thick fat layer that bastes the meat as it grills. Sliced against the grain, it's tender, juicy, and full of flavor.
    FraldinhaSimilar to flank steak, fraldinha is leaner but packed with beefy flavor. It grills quickly and is often served sliced thin.
    AlcatraTop sirloin, a versatile cut that's tender enough to grill whole or cut into steaks.
    MaminhaA small, tender cut similar to tri-tip, popular for churrasco because it cooks evenly and stays juicy.
    CostelaBeef ribs, often slow-cooked over low heat for hours until they're falling-off-the-bone tender.

    How to Prepare Them at Home

    Most of these cuts shine with nothing more than coarse salt and a hot grill. The key is not overcomplicating it — Brazilian barbecue is about quality meat, simple seasoning, and the right technique (like slicing picanha into thick "C" shaped pieces before skewering).

    Where to Buy Them

    You don't have to import your ingredients or drive far — Nilo's Market & Grill's butcher counter in Holbrook, MA carries these cuts fresh, cut to order.

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