Both are triangular cuts from the sirloin area, but picanha comes from the rump cap and is always cooked with its fat cap, while tri-tip is from the bottom sirloin and typically trimmed.
Translation takeaway
These are related cuts, but not perfect swaps. Use the table below to judge how close your local option is before buying.
Keep Picanha and Tri-tip together in your notebook.
Names by country
| Country | Picanha | Tri-tip |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸United States | Rump cap | Tri-tip |
| 🇬🇧United Kingdom | Rump cap | Tri-tip |
| 🇫🇷France | Aiguillette de rumsteck | — |
| 🇪🇸Spain | Tapilla | Rabillo de cadera |
| 🇦🇷Argentina | Picaña | Colita de cuadril |
| 🇲🇽Mexico | Picaña | Tri-tip |
| 🇵🇹Portugal | Picanha | — |
| 🇧🇷Brazil | Picanha | — |
| 🇮🇹Italy | Codone | Spinacino |
| 🇩🇪Germany | Picanha | Bürgermeisterstück |