Picadillo is a flavorful, traditional Latin American dish made with ground beef, tomatoes, and an array of spices, often served over rice or used as a filling for tacos or empanadas. Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for homemade picadillo:
Homemade Picadillo Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 1/2 cup beef broth (or water)
- 1/4 cup green olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup raisins (optional)
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon (optional for sweetness)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 medium potato, peeled and diced (optional)
- Fresh cilantro (optional for garnish)
Directions:
- Cook the Ground Beef:
- In a large skillet or pot, brown the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once browned, drain any excess fat if needed.
- Sauté Vegetables:
- Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and the vegetables soften.
- Add Seasonings and Tomatoes:
- Stir in the cumin, oregano, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with juice), beef broth, and bay leaf. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer:
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. If using potatoes, stir them in at this point. Cover the skillet and simmer on low heat for about 20-25 minutes, until the potatoes are tender and the flavors have melded together.
- Add Olives and Raisins:
- Stir in the sliced olives and raisins (if using) during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve:
- Remove the bay leaf and discard. Serve the picadillo hot over white rice or with tortillas. Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired.
This homemade picadillo is versatile and packed with flavor, with a perfect balance of savory, sweet (from the raisins), and briny (from the olives). Enjoy!