Picadillo is a traditional dish that hails from Cuba and combines ground beef, onions, peppers, garlic, olives, and tomatoes. The unique blend of spices and seasonings, including cumin and oregano, gives this dish its distinct flavor. Picadillo is also super versatile; it can be enjoyed on its own, served over rice, or used as a filling for empanadas or tacos. Yum!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/4 cup pitted black olives
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Optional garnish: chopped cilantro, lime wedges
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion, green pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until the beef is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, olives, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed. If the mixture appears too dry, you can add a splash of water or beef broth to loosen it up.
- Serve the Cuban Picadillo hot, garnished with chopped cilantro and accompanied by lime wedges for squeezing over the dish.
Notes
Choose lean ground beef to keep the dish lighter, or you can use a combination of beef and pork for added richness. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a diced jalapeño pepper for a spicier version during the sautéing stage. Feel free to customize the recipe by adding additional vegetables such as diced carrots or peas for extra color and texture. To create a complete Cuban-inspired meal, serve the dish with traditional sides like white rice, black beans, and fried plantains. Enjoy!
*Please keep in mind that the following nutritional information is based on estimates and can vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients used.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
