Brazilian Beef Cupim Recipe: Amazing 5 Serving Ideas

I’m so happy to share a Brazilian Beef Cupim recipe from my home with you all! It’s a very traditional Brazilian dish called Cupim, and it’s basically steak on a stick.

The secret ingredient is garlic, which is what gives the meat a rich and spicy flavor. Warning: The dish will be virtually inedible without lime juice, salt, and pepper, but once it has those three ingredients, Cupim is an addictively delicious snack!

Brazilian Beef Cupim Recipe

Prepare Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1 pound Brazilian Extra-Lean Sirloin Steak (cut into sticks)
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped fine
• 3/4 cup Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot wine (or any preferred red wine)
• 1/4 cup olive oil (extra virgin is best)

Step By Step Instructions

1. Generously season the steak with salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a bowl. 

2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, saute the beef until just cooked (turning once at around 10 minutes). 

3. Add Cabernet Sauvignon to the meat and continue cooking until the wine has reduced by half (about 5 minutes).

4. Remove the meat from the heat and let it sit for a few minutes before removing it from the pan to a cooling rack set over a sheet of paper towel. Allow it to cool for 15 minutes, cut each stick into thirds, and serve with toothpicks for easier handling.

What Spices Can You Add To Brazilian Beef Cupim?

There are many different ways to serve Cupim. Sometimes it is served with no spices at all, sometimes with just garlic and salt, sometimes it’s served with fresh cilantro and lime juice (my favorite), and other times it’s served in a creamier sauce alongside white rice or mashed potatoes.

But you can also experiment with different seasonings. Try Worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar, soy sauce, curry paste, black pepper, cayenne pepper… the list goes on. Also, try adding an onion and bell peppers to the mix for some added flavor. Enjoy!

Why Does Brazilian Beef Cupim Need Extra Virgin Olive Oil?

Extra virgin olive oil is one of the most important ingredients in this dish because it adds a rich and complex flavor without overpowering the beef (which can easily happen if you use just ordinary olive oil).

Also, I find that it helps give a more consistent texture to the meat sticks. When I use regular olive oil, some of the meat sticks will be slightly drier than the others, and my finish topping won’t work as well.

What Is The Best Kind Of Sirloin For Brazilian Beef Cupim?

I find that a specific cut of sirloin works best for this recipe because it is tender enough to cook quickly without being cooked through. It helps if you can find a piece of sirloin that is about 6 to 8 inches long as it cooks faster than longer cuts.

I also like using an “extra-lean” sirloin steak which is less fatty than regular tenderloin (and thus less greasy). If you are unable to find an “extra-lean” sirloin, you can use an “extra lean” sirloin which is about the same cut but leaner. The only difference is that the “extra-lean” version has less fat on it and thus will be a little bit drier (and greasier).

Nutrition Facts Per Serving

Nutrition	Amount
Calories	172
Calories from Fat	73
Cholesterol	8mg
Sodium	448mg
Potassium	204mg
Protein	5g

Excellent Source Of: Vitamin A 37% Vitamin C 5% Calcium 11% Iron 4% Percent Daily Values is based on a 2000 calorie diet.

How Should I Serve Brazilian Beef Cupim? Amazing 5 Serving Ideas

1. As A Starter

Cupim makes a great appetizer. Serve it with toothpicks, and your guests can easily grab a piece of meat. Make sure you season it well before you serve it because the flavor will be different once it cools down.

Serve with some lime wedges for extra flavor and to help combat the “greasy” feel of the unseasoned meat (which is completely normal for this recipe).

2. In A Sandwich

Make a Brazilian-styled sandwich with Cupim and Portuguese rolls! Cut thin slices of bread from a Portuguese roll, then spread some butter on one side, add sliced tomato, and top it with pieces of Cupim.

Then, of course, you need to add some tasty meat. A nice choice is thinly sliced turkey meat topped with melted cheddar cheese. Enjoy!

3. With White Rice And Mashed Potatoes

Simply serve Cupim alongside some white rice and boiled potatoes. You can also add lime juice and cilantro to the mashed potatoes for extra flavor!

4. As A Side Dish

This dish can actually be used as a side dish at parties and party gatherings because it tastes great, looks great, and has no messy cleanup afterward.

Simply spoon some meat into a serving dish, top it off with some chopped tomatoes, then drizzle on some olive oil (or any other dressing will work).

5. As A Complete Main Course

Don’t be afraid to make a complete meal using only Cupim as the “protein.” It’s a Brazilian specialty that goes very well with white rice and french fries.

Just slice a few onions, cut up an avocado, mix some shredded cheese with lime juice, slice up some limes, invite friends over… and enjoy!

What Toppings Goes With The Brazilian Beef Cupim?

Crunchy juicy toppings make Cupim great! You can even top it with fresh slices of fruit like apples or bananas. You could also alternate the beef sticks with various sliced veggies like carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, and even slices of watermelon.

A good alternative for lettuce is shredded cabbage which will add a creamy texture to the dish. It’s all about contrasts so adding a crunchy topping is essential to this recipe, especially if you want to satisfy that craving for something salty and crunchy.

Are Brazilian Beef Cupim Good For You?

Brazilian Beef Cupim is one of the healthiest meat dishes you can make. It’s low in calories and fat yet high in protein and fiber.

Remember that beef is an excellent source of high-quality protein and contains many important nutrients such as niacin, B vitamins, selenium, zinc, iron, and phosphorous.

Cupim is also lower in fat and calories than other types of meat such as chicken or pork. This is because Cupim is very lean, meaning there is not much marbling on the meat (aka fat).

As a result, you should keep your portions small if you are on a diet but just remember that it’s always better to eat smaller portions of lean meats than larger portions of fatty meats!

Will Brazilian Beef Cupim Make You Feel Full?

The high fiber content of Cupim makes it a very filling dish. It’s also low in fat and calories, making it a great choice for anyone who is trying to lose weight (or just watch their waistline!)

This means that Cupim is also great for your heart health because you will feel full with fewer calories and fat. The high-fiber content means you will probably eat slower, digest your food better, and feel fuller longer.

Will Brazilian Beef Cupim Make You Fat?

If you eat an excessive amount of Cupim, you probably will gain weight. However, this is the same thing that can happen if you eat too much meat or any other food for that matter! We are all different; what might be the right amount of food for one person can be too much or not enough for others.

So remember it is your responsibility to keep a good diet and exercise regularly so that you can keep your weight under control.

Will Brazilian Beef Cupim Increase Your Cholesterol?

Cupim does not contain cholesterol. The fiber content of Cupim helps to reduce the amount of cholesterol absorbed from the food and keeps your blood lipids at a healthy level.

Brazilian Beef Cupim is an excellent source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols. It also contains some fat, but this is mainly comprised of mostly unsaturated fats found in the meat.

Is It Suitable For A Home Party?

This dish is very popular in Brazil, and many people love it. It’s a great choice for any party you may be planning because it tastes delicious and has no messy cleanup afterward.

Simply spoon some meat into a serving dish, top it off with some chopped tomatoes, then drizzle on some olive oil (or any other dressing will work).

Can Brazilian Beef Cupim Be Frozen?

Yes, it can be frozen! Just make sure to let your meat cool down completely before you freeze it. If it’s too hot, then the meat will not be as tender and probably won’t even freeze properly.

Once you have cooked your Brazilian Beef Cupim, place it into an airtight freezer food storage container or plastic bag. Thaw your meat overnight in the refrigerator, or just place the frozen Cupim on a plate and thaw it in the microwave for a few minutes. Cook once again in a skillet until fully warmed up.

How To Reheat The Brazilian Beef Cupim?

Due to their high water content, Cupim is more perishable than other meats. This means that if you want to reheat the Brazilian Beef Cupim, you should use a pan or skillet where it will stay hot and won’t get too cold when reheating.

Don’t just place all of your meat in the microwave or oven unless you know this will work. Try using a pan on the stove or even on top of a grill!

To reheat, heat your meat over medium-high heat until it’s fully warmed and still pink in the center.

The Bottom Line

Brazilian Beef Cupim is so good that some people, especially the locals and Brazilians living in the US, eat it for breakfast!

It’s a great way to start a day off without having to worry about putting on weight. In fact, cupim is very healthy and will fill you up with lots of protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

If you have never tried Cupim before then, I hope this recipe has inspired you to try it. You can adjust the recipe to your liking, but remember to use the ingredients I provided.

Best of luck!