Follow these 7 simple rules to elevate your outdoor grilling skills. Guaranteed!
7 Essential Truths For Brazil On The Grill are all that it takes to move from ordinary backyard grilling to grilling like a Brazilian from the Land of Samba and Sun.
First, let’s get back to basics. Here’s what you need to know.
Brazilians butcher their meats differently
These Brazilian cuts result in some of the tastiest meats to ever be kissed by flame. Many Brazilian cuts are like what we buy: Filet Mignon (Filet Mignon), Flank Steak (Fraldinha) and Tenderloin (Contrafile). Others, including Brazil’s prized Picanha can be ordered online or cut fresh as roasts or steaks by a good Butcher. A Brazilian Steakhouse can serve up to 20 different cuts of meat, but you’ll need only two or three to make your ‘Brazil On The Grill’ experience complete.
The supporting cast
Chicken (thighs, drumsticks, breasts wrapped in bacon), Pork Loin, good linguica sausages, Pineapple with cinnamon, salads (crisp fresh greens, and potato salad), Brazilian cheese breads plus rice and beans will make for an impressive weekend menu.
And no, we didn’t forget the music, the Cachaça, Guaraná and beer.
Brazilian meats love real-wood charcoal
One of the 7 Essential Truths For Brazil On The Grill is ‘elemental’ and all-natural: For the best flavors, ditch the gas and briquettes for real-wood, lump charcoal. It’s not a deal-breaker, but the difference is remarkable and… authentic.
Garlic and salt
This simple rub is Brazil’s answer to BBQ sauces. Here’s the truth: Bold sauces were created to mask the taste of rancid meats, while Brazil’s approach enhances flavor. Peeled and cut garlic goes into your pestle with a generous amount of salt, then use the mortar to create a paste. Apply the rub at least an hour before grilling. Overnight is even better.
Want to go old school? Marinate your meats in lime juice for several hours before the garlic and salt rub. Or forgo the garlic with a rock salt rub. Any of these will enhance your taste buds while letting the natural flavor of these various meat cuts shine through. The WOW factor will be a great addition to your party.
Grillin’ Brazilian Meets The Baked Potato
When our friend Peter Rodenbeck introduced Brazil to the baked potato, Brazilians rushed to their grills to try it. The result led to a short-lived potato shortage in parts of Brazil. That might happen in your neighborhood when you roll out this easy and amazing turn on the baked potato. So let’s do it!
First, parboil your large potatoes for 20-25 minutes. Let them cool awhile. Then give each an olive oil rub, cover liberally with Kosher or rock salt, and tightly wrap them individually. Add them to the perimeter of your grill, rotating every 15 minutes. Set them aside once they feel firm (not hard), and serve them in the foil.
High heat, long skewers, and rotisserie
This is where things get interesting.
We love our grills, from inexpensive to fancy, but Brazilians kick it up a notch with a purpose-built Churrasqueira (sure-az-CARE-dah). In its simplest form, it’s a Brazilian grill with a rack to hold 4 to 6 long skewers for various meats.
From there, add an electric rotisserie motor to turn the skewers and a second, elevated rack to move your skewers away from the high heat when needed. Use the upper rack for ‘medium’ and the lower rack for ‘rare’ with a quick sear.
Many Brazilian homes have permanent, chimney-topped brick Churrasqueiras in their backyards, complete with a covered eating area, sinks, fridges, a kiln (for making wood charcoal), and a pizza oven, too.
Whatever your setup, knowing how Brazilians approach their grilling will help you with yours, too. In fact, everything you grill will turn out better once you’ve learned about Brazil On the Grill!
Basting, yes. Saucing, no.
We love great sauces on chicken and ribs, but not when we’re grilling Brazilian. So when grilling that perfect Picanha, use a salt-water baste to keep the meat moist. Great for veggies, too! And tend to your grilling by rotating and turning your meats and veggies, then serve them by carving right off the grill!
Bonus Truth: Invest in a good carving board, knife, and fork
Okay, so we’ve covered the 7 Essential Truths For Brazil On The Grill by saving the best for last.
For Brazilians, grilling is a social gathering waiting to happen. You and your grill are the stars of the show. So, if the only grilling utensil is a burger flipper, kick your style up a notch.
Your job as Churrasqueiro (Master Griller) is to not only grill your meats but also to serve them up on a stout, wooden carving board, sliced in bite-sized pieces, to your friends and family who have gathered round the grill.
Mix in the music and a caipirinha or a cold Brazilian beer, and you have an instant party!
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7 Essential Truths For Brazil On The Grill
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