Delicious Ground Beef Picadillo Recipe – An Easy Latin Dish!
Our Ground Beef Picadillo is versatile and can be served in many different ways. We love it over rice, but it's also delicious in tacos, burritos, or as a filling for empanadas. The possibilities are endless!
We'll start by browning the ground beef and adding a blend of aromatic spices, including cumin, paprika, and oregano. Then, we'll add tomatoes, onions, garlic, and raisins, along with a few other secret ingredients that will take this dish to the next level.
- 1 medium can of diced tomatoes (1 1/2 cups) (I use garlic and herb Italian.)
- 1/3 medium onion (I use Spanish or red.)
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/2 medium green bell pepper
- 1 medium Jalapeño pepper
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for frying
- 1/2 small finely chopped onion
- 3 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 1/2 medium finely chopped red bell pepper
- 2 medium bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper (or 1 tsp of black)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup green olives
- 2 tablespoons brine from olives
- 2 tablespoons capers
Add all of the ingredients to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse for a minute. You want something that resembles a salsa mixture. Set it aside.
- To Make the Picadillo
Add the olive oil to a pan over medium high heat. Add in the onion, garlic, red bell pepper, and bay leaves. Stir and saute until the peppers, soften, and the onion and garlic are fragrant.
Put the cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and tomato paste in. Stir and saute until the seasoning actives. About a minute or two.
Add in the ground beef. Break it up, stir, and cook until no longer pink and cooked though.
Pour the sauce in, stir, and mix. Add in the olives and capers. Stir once again. Allow to simmer for about 2 or 3 minutes.
Serve and enjoy your ground beef picadillo.
Serving Size 1 Cup
Servings 1
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 550kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 34g53%
- Saturated Fat 11g56%
- Trans Fat 1.1g
- Cholesterol 135mg45%
- Sodium 510mg22%
- Total Carbohydrate 18g6%
- Dietary Fiber 1.7g7%
- Sugars 12g
- Protein 43g86%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Nutritional values are a within reason estimate and my vary depending on several factors.
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Choosing the right cut of beef: When making picadillo, it is important to choose the right cut of beef. Ground chuck or ground sirloin are good options as they have a good balance of fat and lean meat. Avoid using ground beef with too much fat content as it can make the dish greasy.
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Browning the beef: Browning the beef is an important step that adds flavor to the dish. Make sure to brown the beef on medium-high heat until it is fully cooked and browned on all sides. This can take around 8-10 minutes.
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Adding vegetables: Picadillo typically includes vegetables like onions, garlic, bell peppers, and tomatoes. These vegetables add flavor, texture, and nutrition to the dish. Make sure to chop them finely so that they cook evenly.
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Seasoning: This Picadillo is seasoned with cumin, chili powder, and oregano. Adjust the amount of seasoning according to your taste preference. You can also add a pinch of cinnamon for a unique flavor.
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Adding capers and olives: Adding capers and olives to the picadillo is a traditional way to to add a briny flavor to the dish.
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Serving: Picadillo can be served with rice, tortillas, or on its own. Top it with some fresh cilantro or shredded cheese for an extra burst of flavor.
By following these additional notes, you can make a delicious and flavorful ground beef picadillo that your family and friends will love.
