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This Cuban Picadillo recipe consists of flavorful ground beef, spices, green olives, boiled egg and raisins cooked in a delicious tomato sauce, and then served over a bed of rice. This is the ideal weeknight meal because it can be made in under 30 minutes!
I grew up eating renditions of this dish. When I was a teeny kid, my mother would make picadillo and it’d simply be fried diced potato with ground beef over rice.
Every couple of years, as I got older, the recipe’s identity evolved from crazy plain to what you see now. I guess you could say I went from super picky, pain in the butt eater to normal human, and this recipe was along for the rides.
Why *this* recipe for Picadillo is special! If you’re looking for something that doesn’t create a bunch of mess, this is it!
. If you’re looking for something that doesn’t create a bunch of mess, this is it! If you want to use ground chicken, meat substitute or ground bison, this recipe is perfect for swap-ins. I make this for my omni parents but with impossible! It’s always a hit.” – Katie “It was my first time making Picadillo and this was delicious! The spices work perfectly and the raisins give a great hint of sweetness.” -Crystal
What is Picadillo?
Well, the literal translation of picadillo in English is “all chopped up.” The potatoes, egg and meat are all chopped up, too. Many countries make their renditions of a picadillo: Colombians put it in empanadas, Peruvians put it in papa rellenas, Puerto Ricans put it in empanadas and alcapurria. The version you see here is Cuban-style Picadillo. I LOVE Cuban food Ropa Vieja and Lechon Asado are my personal favorites.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Picadillo Potatoes – This dish consists of beginning with pan-frying cubed up potato. If I’m on a bit of a health kick, I’ll skip it entirely OR use sweet potato. Onion, bell pepper and garlic – The sofrito is essential to begin this recipe. Ground Beef – I like using 85% 15% for maximum flavor. But feel free to use 90% 10% if you’re wanting something a bit leaner. Spices – I love adding paprika, cumin, coriander and bay leaves for a flavorful picadillo. The combination of flavors is similar to my Homemade Taco Seasoning that I use for my Ground Beef Tacos. Green Olives – You can slice these or add them whole – your call! After they’re crispy, the potatoes are removed from the pan and set aside we’re going to add them back at the end!. Add in with tomato paste and beef broth. Mix in the boiled egg optional, crispy potatoes, olives and red wine vinegar.
Variations for this recipe Use different ground meat . I’ve had this without raisins, egg and have subbed in different briny things like capers. All delicious.
I’ve had this without raisins, egg and have subbed in different briny things like capers. I love making this the day ahead and keeping it in the fridge in an airtight container.
Recipe FAQs,
