Embark on a culinary journey to Brazil with a truly comforting and richly flavored dish: Beef Tips in Beer Sauce, affectionately known as Picadinho na Cerveja. This traditional Brazilian staple features tender beef tips slow-simmered in a savory, beer-infused gravy, a dish that effortlessly brings the vibrant spirit of Brazilian home cooking to your table in under an hour. It’s a taste of authentic South American comfort that promises to delight your senses and become a cherished recipe in your repertoire. This exceptional recipe is just one of many culinary gems found in a remarkable new cookbook we are thrilled to introduce to you!
Recipe reprinted with permission from Olivia Mesquita and Page Street Publishing Co., distributed by Macmillan (Copyright 2023). We received a complimentary copy.
Before we delve deeper into the delicious details of this specific recipe, allow us to introduce you to a cookbook that is poised to become a staple in your kitchen and an inspiration for countless memorable meals.
Olivia Mesquita, the creative force behind the acclaimed food blog Olivia’s Cuisine, has recently launched her debut cookbook, Authentic Brazilian Home Cooking, Simple, Delicious Recipes for Classic Latin American Flavors. This culinary masterpiece is an invitation to explore the rich and diverse world of Brazilian cuisine, presented through easy-to-follow, approachable recipes that are perfect for home cooks of all skill levels. (Affiliate Link)
If you’re eager to infuse your kitchen life with exciting new flavors and embark on a delicious culinary adventure, Olivia’s authentic recipes are your perfect guide. Her cookbook takes you straight to the heart of Brazil, offering a collection of dishes that are not only deeply flavorful but also incredibly simple to prepare, making global flavors accessible right in your own home.
Discovering Authentic Brazilian Home Cooking: A Culinary Treasure
Authentic Brazilian Home Cooking by Olivia Mesquita is far more than just a collection of recipes; it’s a celebration of culture, family, and the joy of sharing food. The book is packed with 60 exquisite Brazilian and Latin American recipes, each designed to bring the warmth, vibrancy, and unique flavors of Brazil directly into your kitchen. These crowd-pleasing dishes are deeply rooted in Olivia’s rich Brazilian heritage, meticulously curated to evoke the lively spirit of her homeland’s cuisine. Yet, they are thoughtfully adapted and presented for today’s American home cooks, ensuring ease and accessibility. You’ll even find some convenient recipes tailored for Instant Pot enthusiasts, making traditional cooking quicker than ever.
Every page of Authentic Brazilian Home Cooking is a testament to Olivia’s passion, beautifully brought to life through her own stunning photography. The cookbook’s inspiration stems from the cherished dishes Olivia’s grandmother lovingly prepared for her during her childhood, imbuing each recipe with a sense of nostalgia, comfort, and deep-rooted authenticity.
The cookbook is thoughtfully organized into intuitive sections, making it easy to navigate through Brazil’s diverse culinary landscape. You’ll find sections dedicated to: Carnes (a rich variety of beef, chicken, pork, and seafood dishes), Vegetarianos (delightful vegetarian options and vibrant sides), Arroz e Feijao (the quintessential rice and bean dishes that form the backbone of Brazilian meals), Petiscos (irresistible snacks, appetizers, and classic bar foods), and Sobremesa (an array of decadent desserts and sweet treats).
Within these pages, you’ll unlock the secrets to preparing beloved traditional Brazilian recipes, such as:
- Carne Louca (Braised Beef with Onions, Tomato, and Peppers) – a hearty and flavorful beef dish perfect for family gatherings.
- Frango com Quiabo (Chicken with Okra) – a classic regional delicacy, rich and satisfying.
- Pamonha de Forno (Corn Casserole) – a sweet or savory corn bake that’s incredibly versatile.
- Arroz de Rabada (Oxtail Rice) – a robust and deeply comforting rice dish.
- Bolinhos de Feijoada (Feijoada Croquettes) – a creative, bite-sized take on Brazil’s national dish.
- Brigadeirao (Brazilian Chocolate Flan) – a creamy, intensely chocolatey dessert that’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
We are incredibly excited to cook our way through this entire cookbook, exploring every savory and sweet delight it has to offer! The thought of preparing Pernil ao Molho de Abacaxi (Roasted Pork with Pineapple Sauce) is particularly enticing and already calling our name!
Don’t miss out on this incredible culinary resource. Get your copy on Amazon today and start your own Brazilian cooking adventure!
Meet Olivia Mesquita: The Heart Behind Olivia’s Cuisine
Olivia Mesquita is more than just a cookbook author; she is a passionate storyteller whose journey from the stage to the kitchen has inspired countless food lovers. Her popular recipe blog, Olivia’s Cuisine, has become a beloved destination for those seeking comforting, authentic dishes from around the globe, all infused with her signature warmth and expertise.
Born and raised in the bustling, vibrant city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Olivia initially pursued a career in the performing arts, moving to New York City in 2010 to chase her dreams on Broadway. While her path diverged from acting, it led her to an even more profound discovery: her true passion for cooking and for sharing the cherished recipes she grew up eating. This realization sparked the birth of Olivia’s Cuisine in 2014, a platform where she could connect with others through the universal language of food, particularly showcasing the rich culinary traditions of her Brazilian roots.
Olivia wholeheartedly believes in infusing every dish she prepares with an abundance of love – a valuable lesson she learned and continues to honor from her grandmother. This heartfelt philosophy shines through in Authentic Brazilian Home Cooking, where you can genuinely taste and feel that love woven into the fabric of every single recipe, transforming each meal into an experience of comfort and joy.
Now, let’s turn our attention back to the star of the show – this incredible and inspiring Beef Tips in Beer Sauce (Picadinho na Cerveja) recipe from Olivia’s cookbook!
Crafting Brazilian Comfort: How to Make Beef Tips in Beer Sauce (Picadinho)
Picadinho, pronounced pee-kah-JEEN-yu, is a delightful Brazilian term derived from the word “picar,” which means “to chop.” This name aptly describes the dish, referring to either chopped meats or, more commonly, a comforting meat stew, often featuring beef. It’s a staple in Brazilian households, cherished for its simplicity and hearty appeal.
As Olivia herself beautifully puts it, “There are as many picadinho recipes as there are cooks in Brazil. Every family has a recipe!” This highlights the dish’s versatility and the personal touch each cook brings to it. While countless variations exist, Olivia’s rendition of Picadinho, presented in her cookbook, is truly exceptional. It features tender beef tips bathed in a rich, savory beer gravy that is simply delicious and incredibly easy to make, perfect for any weeknight meal or special occasion.
To master this delectable Picadinho, follow these straightforward steps:
- Begin by preparing your beef: Cut beef tenderloin or sirloin into small, uniform 1/2-inch pieces. If you’re pressed for time, slightly larger pieces will also work beautifully and tenderize wonderfully in the sauce.
- Generously season the beef with salt, freshly ground black pepper, aromatic smoked paprika, and a light coating of all-purpose flour. This creates a flavorful crust and helps thicken the sauce.
- In a hot skillet, brown the seasoned beef until deeply caramelized on all sides, then remove it to a plate and set aside. This step builds essential flavor.
- Next, crisp up some slab bacon in the same skillet, allowing its rich fat to render. Once crisp, add finely chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, absorbing all the delicious bacon flavor.
- Stir in minced garlic, cooking just until fragrant to avoid burning.
- Deglaze the pan with a quality brown ale, scraping up all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom. Then, incorporate beef stock, a touch of brown sugar for balance, Dijon mustard for tang, Worcestershire sauce for depth, and a bay leaf for aromatic complexity.
- Return the browned beef to the pan, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, cover, and let it cook until the beef is incredibly tender and the sauce has thickened to a luscious gravy.
- Finally, garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately for a truly satisfying meal!
Chef’s Note: For this particular recipe, I often utilize the “tail” or narrow end of a beef tenderloin. I typically purchase a whole tenderloin once a year and have my butcher expertly trim it. From the trimmings, the butcher grinds about 2 to 3 pounds of ground beef, which we use for delicious burgers. The main portion of the tenderloin is then cut into steaks and frozen in individual portions. The versatile tail end is perfect for dishes like this Picadinho and other comforting stews such as beef stroganoff, ensuring no part goes to waste.
Be sure to grab your copy of Authentic Brazilian Home Cooking today to explore this and many more incredible recipes!
Explore More Irresistible Beef Recipes!
If you loved the sound of our Beef Tips in Beer Sauce, you’re in for a treat! Here are more fantastic beef recipes that are sure to become family favorites:
- Stout Braised Beef Short Ribs and Colcannon
- Indian-Style Beef Kabobs with Cilantro Coconut Sauce
- Sesame Beef and Asparagus Stir-Fry
- Lighter Beef Stroganoff
- Grilled Marinated Skirt Steak with Peperonata
For an even wider selection of delicious and creative beef dishes, be sure to check out all my beef recipes at Beef Recipes – From A Chef’s Kitchen.
Print Recipe
Beef Tips in Beer Sauce (Picadinho)
Equipment
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Wusthof Boning Knife
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Plastic Cutting Board
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Enameled Cast Iron Skillet
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Measuring Cups and Spoons
Ingredients
For the Picadinho
- 1 1/2 pounds beef tenderloin, sirloin or equivalent, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 ounces slab bacon, cut into small cubes
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup brown ale
- 1/2 cup beef stock
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
For the Beurre Manie
- 1 tablespoon butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
Instructions
For the Picadinho
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In a large bowl, combine the beef, salt, pepper, paprika and flour. Mix well so all the beef chunks are coated.
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Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook for 2-3 minutes or until browned. Remove to a bowl or plate and reserve.
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Add the cubed bacon to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes or until the fat has rendered and the bacon is no longer raw.
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Stir in the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until fragrant.
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Pour in the brown ale and cook, using a wooden spoon to loosen all the browned bits from the bottom of the pan until reduced by half.
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Add the beef stock, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to medium-low.
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Return the beef to the pan, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until the beef is very tender.
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While the beef simmers, make the beurre manie: In a small bowl, stir the butter and flour together. Add the beurre manie to the beef and cook uncovered over medium heat until the gravy thickens. Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Stir in the parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Calories: 651kcal
Carbohydrates: 10g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 50g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g
Monounsaturated Fat: 20g
Trans Fat: 0.1g
Cholesterol: 129mg
Sodium: 342mg
Potassium: 713mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 3g
Vitamin A: 227IU
Vitamin C: 4mg
Calcium: 40mg
Iron: 5mg
Nutritional values are automatically calculated using unbranded products and are estimates only. Actual results may vary based on ingredients used and portion sizes. Adjust as needed for dietary restrictions, allergies, or health concerns.
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