Picadillo beef is a flavorful Latin American dish made with seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, spices, and other ingredients It’s a hearty, comforting meal that’s loved across countries like Mexico, Cuba, and beyond If you’re new to picadillo, keep reading to learn all about this tasty dish!
A Brief History of Picadillo
While picadillo recipes likely existed earlier, the first published 19th century recipe comes from a Californian cookbook. It provided instructions for a filled pastry with beef picadillo and chicken in a chili sauce.
The term “picadillo” comes from the Spanish word “picar” meaning “to mince or chop.” So this dish is all about the finely chopped or ground meat.
Over time, the recipes evolved across different Latin American regions. For example, Cuban picadillo often contains raisins while Mexican picadillo features potatoes. But the core is seasoning ground meat with veggies and simmering it in a tomato sauce.
Picadillo Ingredients – The Basics
The base of picadillo starts with ground beef and tomato sauce. From there, recipes can vary. But here are some commonly used ingredients:
- Onions and garlic – For aromatics and flavor
- Bell peppers – For crunch and color
- Spices like cumin, oregano, chili powder – For added flavor
- Raisins or olives – For sweetness or tanginess
- Potatoes, carrots, peas – For extra veggies
The possibilities are endless for customizing your picadillo! Feel free to experiment with different add-ins to suit your tastes.
How to Cook Picadillo Beef
Making picadillo at home is easy. Just follow these simple steps
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In a skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned and crumbled. Drain excess fat.
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Add diced onions and bell peppers. Cook for 5 minutes until softened
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Stir in seasonings like cumin, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
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Pour in tomato sauce and any other ingredients like olives or raisins.
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Let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes so the flavors develop.
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Serve the picadillo beef hot over rice, stuffed in tacos or empanadas, or with tortilla chips!
Tips for Delicious Picadillo Every Time
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Use 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef for the best texture. Too lean and the beef can dry out.
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Cut the onions and peppers into small, uniform dice so they cook quickly.
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Add a teaspoon of vinegar or lime juice to brighten up the flavors.
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Garnish with chopped cilantro and crema or queso fresco for extra flair.
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Swap in ground turkey or chicken for a lighter take.
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Play with different spice blends like taco seasoning or jerk seasoning.
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For heat, add minced jalapenos, crushed red pepper, or hot sauce.
Serving Suggestions for Picadillo
A big bowl of picadillo beef makes a satisfying entree. But that’s just the beginning! Here are some fun ways to serve it:
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Stuff into taco shells or tortillas for picadillo tacos. Top with all the fixings.
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Fill empanadas or pastelitos with the mixture for handheld snacks.
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Enjoy over white rice or cauliflower rice for a low carb meal.
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Layer it between fried plantains for a take on Puerto Rican mofongo.
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Top nachos, tostadas, or potatoes for loaded picadillo dishes.
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Fold into an omelette or scramble with eggs.
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Stuff roasted peppers or squash boats with the picadillo.
Let your creativity run wild! Picadillo is very versatile.
Can You Make Picadillo in Advance?
Absolutely! In fact, picadillo beef tastes even better the next day once the flavors meld.
You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to one week. Reheat gently before serving.
For longer storage, freeze picadillo for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge then reheat on the stovetop or microwave.
The ease of making this ahead makes it perfect for meal prepping!
Trying Vegetarian Picadillo Recipes
For meatless picadillo, simply replace the ground beef with a plant-based substitute. Great options include:
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Lentils – Cook with taco seasoning for a similar texture.
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Crumbled extra firm tofu
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Textured vegetable protein (TVP)
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Mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes
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Finely chopped mushrooms
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Finely chopped seitan or jackfruit
Follow the same method, sautéing the veggie base before adding tomatoes and spices. Delicious!
Picadillo Around Latin America
While the core is the same, picadillo recipes vary across regions:
Mexico – Features potatoes, carrots, chayote squash, peas
Cuba – Made with raisins, olives, capers, white wine
Puerto Rico – Includes cured ham, olives, capers, annatto oil
Dominican Republic – Cooked with bouillon cube, hard boiled eggs
Peru – Served over rice and stuffed into empanadas
Philippines – Called “giniling,” often includes quail eggs
So try a few versions to find your favorite picadillo! From classic Cuban to an eggy Filipino giniling, it’s all delicioso.
Is Picadillo Healthy?
Picadillo is a nutritious choice when made with lean beef and lots of veggies. It provides:
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Protein – From the beef to keep you satisfied.
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Vitamin C – Bell peppers are packed with this immune booster.
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Iron – The ground beef delivers this mineral.
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Fiber – Onions, tomato sauce, and other veggies offer fiber.
To lighten it up, use less oil when cooking, go easy on any salty seasonings, and serve modest portions over salad instead of rice. Enjoy in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet.
Ready to Try Picadillo?
From its humble beginnings to many regional variations, picadillo remains a cherished Latin American favorite passed down through generations. This seasoned beef dish comes together quickly for a fast, family-friendly meal.
Customize your own version at home. Try it stuffed into tacos, empanadas, or over rice for an easy weeknight dinner. Just be prepared for the fabulous flavors that will have you craving picadillo again and again!
What is Mexican Picadillo?
It’s a Mexican dish that starts with roasted tomatoes, jalapenos, serranos, and garlic. Then, they’re pureed to your personal liking and combined with cooked ground beef and onions.
Finally, the beef and onions simmer with tomatoes and potatoes until the flavors meld together and the potatoes are tender. When it’s all finished, you’ll have a hearty meat and potato dish that’s unlike anything you’ve ever had before.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Store your picadillo for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container.
To reheat, simply place it in a saucepan over medium-low heat until heated through.
There are versions of picadillo found throughout Latin America and the Philippines. In Cuba, picadillo is called arroz a la cubana. While in the Philippines, it’s called giniling.
Picadillo gets its name from the Spanish word, picar, which translates to mince or chop. Since the dish is literally chopped beef and diced potatoes, it’s a fitting name.
How To Make PICADILLO! | Ground Beef With Potatoes In Sauce!
FAQ
What is picadillo meat made of?
It is made with ground meat (most commonly beef), tomatoes (tomato sauce may be used as a substitute), and also raisins, olives, and other ingredients that vary by region. The name comes from the Spanish word picar, meaning “to mince”. Picadillo can be eaten alone, though it is usually served with rice.
What does picadillo mean in Mexican food?
ˌpikəˈdilō, Sp pēkäˈdēyō plural -s. : a spicy Latin-American hash or stew of meat and vegetables often with raisins and olives that is commonly used as a filling (as for tacos) or served with rice and beans.
What is a beef picadillo defined dish?
A picadillo is a dish made with ground meat, tomatoes, and other ingredients, like olives and/or capers that vary by region. It is often served with rice or used as a filling in dishes such as tacos, savory pastries or croquettes.
What to serve with beef picadillo?
My favorite way to serve picadillo as the main dish is in hard taco shells with a boatload of shredded cheddar cheese sprinkled on top. You can also serve Mexican picadillo with rice and beans, over mashed potatoes, on a tostada, or swap it for the taco meat in a taco salad.
How do you make beef picadillo?
To cook beef picadillo; In a casserole, sauté garlic, onion and tomatoes. Cook until tomatoes are very soft. Add the meat and about 8 cups of water. Simmer until meat is almost tender. Add cubed potatoes. Continue cooking till potatoes are done. Season with salt.
What is in beef picadillo?
Beef picadillo is a traditional Latin comfort food dish made with ground beef, potatoes, onions, garlic, cumin, bell peppers, white wine, tomato sauce, raisins, olives and capers. Skip to primary navigation Skip to main content Skip to primary sidebar
What does picadillo taste like?
Mexican picadillo is a flavorful of dish of meat and potatoes with tomatoes, peppers, and seasonings. There are many variations throughout Mexican, with different regions including different ingredients, and each of them vary wildly. Some regional versions include like carrots, olives, almonds and raisins, which is similar to Cuban style.
What are the ingredients in Cuban beef picadillo?
Cuban beef picadillo is a traditional dish made with ground beef, potatoes, onions, garlic, cumin, bell peppers, white wine, tomato sauce, raisins, olives and capers. 4.75from 1006votes PrintPinYour Questions and Comments