🇵🇹 Portugal · Food
Pica-Pau
By eatmundo · August 3, 2026
🇵🇹 PTAI-generated imagePica-Pau is a beloved Portuguese petisco (snack) consisting of small, bite-sized pieces of beef pan-fried in a flavorful sauce of garlic, wine, and pickles.
Ingredients
check them off as you prepareHow to Make It
- 1
Cut the 800g of beef into small, 2cm cubes, ensuring they are uniform to cook evenly in the pan.
- 2
Heat the lard in a large skillet over high heat until it melts and begins to shimmer slightly.
- 3
Add the beef cubes to the hot skillet, searing them quickly for 3-4 minutes until they develop a nice brown crust but remain juicy inside.
- 4
Add the minced garlic and bay leaves to the pan, tossing for 1 minute until fragrant, then pour in the white wine to deglaze.
- 5
Let the wine simmer and reduce for 5 minutes until it forms a glossy, slightly thickened sauce; season with paprika and salt.
- 6
Stir in the chopped pickles at the very end to keep their crunch, then serve immediately with toothpicks for easy sharing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pica-Pau?+
Pica-Pau is a Portuguese petisco consisting of small pieces of beef seared in lard with garlic, bay leaf, paprika, and white wine. It is typically served as a communal snack at taverns or bars, often garnished with pickles.
What is the best cut of beef for Pica-Pau?+
A tender cut like sirloin or rump steak works best because it cooks quickly and remains soft.
Can I replace lard with oil?+
You can use olive oil, but lard provides an authentic, traditional richness that matches the Portuguese style.
Why add the pickles at the end?+
Adding them last ensures they remain crispy and provide a bright, acidic contrast to the savory beef.
Is Pica-Pau a main course?+
Traditionally it is a petisco or appetizer, meant to be shared, but it can be a light main dish with bread.
🇵🇹 PTAI-generated imageMundo Match
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