Fraldinha is a Brazilian beef cut from the bottom sirloin, prized for its deep beef flavor and coarse, open grain. At 12 Cuts Brazilian Steakhouse in Dallas, it comes to your table fire-roasted on the skewer and carved in thin slices. This guide covers where the cut comes from and what to call it at an American butcher.
Where Does Fraldinha Come From?
The 12 Cuts dinner menu describes fraldinha as beef bottom sirloin. The bottom sirloin sits in the rear of the animal below the top sirloin. Butchers break it into smaller cuts. One of those is the sirloin flap, which the Beef It's What's For Dinner program also lists as bavette and flap meat.
Fraldinha cooks fast over high heat and takes seasoning well. Both qualities suit a skewer over a charcoal fire, which is how churrascarias serve it.
Fraldinha Steak in English: What to Ask For
In the US, the closest match to fraldinha steak is the sirloin flap, also sold as bavette. Flank steak is a different muscle from the belly, even though the two often get mixed up on menus and in recipes.
| Name | Where you will see it | Part of the animal |
|---|---|---|
| Fraldinha | Brazilian churrascarias, including 12 Cuts | Bottom sirloin |
| Sirloin flap or bavette | US butchers and meat counters | Bottom sirloin |
| Flank steak | US grocery stores | Belly, a separate cut |
What cut of meat is fraldinha?
Fraldinha is a bottom sirloin cut. Its nearest US equivalent is the sirloin flap, so ask your butcher for sirloin flap or bavette to cook it at home.
Is fraldinha tender?
Fraldinha has long, visible fibers, so it has more chew than filet mignon. Slicing it thin across those fibers keeps each bite tender, which is why it is carved in thin slices at the table.
How 12 Cuts Prepares Fraldinha
At 12 Cuts, fraldinha is fire-roasted on the skewer over the charcoal grill. The gauchos bring the skewer to your table and carve slices straight onto your plate. The outside picks up char from the fire while the center stays juicy.
Fraldinha shares the skewer rotation with picanha and ribeye, so you can taste them side by side in one meal. For a closer look at how fraldinha stacks up against other favorites, read our guide to the best cuts on the menu.
Taste Fraldinha at 12 Cuts in Dallas
Fraldinha is part of the fixed-price churrasco dinner, with the salad bar and warm sides included. See every cut on the dinner menu, then reserve through the reservations page or call (469) 327-8903.