Cuban Picadillo

Cuban Picadillo

This Cuban Picadillo recipe is my family's favorite! It's really quick and easy to make, I make it a few times a month and make enough so we have leftovers!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 large chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic

    minced

  • 1 tomato

    chopped

  • 1/2 pepper

    finely chopped

  • 2 tbsp cilantro
  • 1-1/2 lb 93% lean ground beef
  • 4 oz tomato sauce

    1/2 can

  • kosher salt
  • fresh ground pepper
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1-2 dried bay leaves
  • 2 tbsp pitted green olives or alcaparrado

    capers would work too

Directions

  1. 1

    Brown meat on high heat in large sauté pan and season with salt and pepper. Use a wooden spoon to break the meat up into small pieces. When meat is no longer pink, drain all juice from pan.

  2. 2

    Meanwhile, while meat is cooking, chop onion, garlic, pepper, tomato and cilantro.

  3. 3

    Add to the meat and continue cooking on a low heat. Add olives or alcaparrado and about 2 to 4 tbsp of the brine (the juice from the olives, this adds great flavor) cumin, bay leaf, and more salt if needed. Add tomato sauce and 1/4 cup of water and mix well. Reduce heat and simmer covered about 20 minutes.

Cuban Picadillo

Cuban Picadillo

4.8(162)

Similar Recipes

Easy Cuban Picadillo Recipe

Easy Cuban Picadillo Recipe

Classic Cuban-Style Picadillo

Classic Cuban-Style Picadillo

This classic Cuban picadillo dish with ground beef is quick and easy, and is great over rice. It can also be used as a filling for tacos or empanadas.

30 minutes4 servings350 kcal
Easy Cuban Picadillo

Easy Cuban Picadillo

My girlfriend gave me this delicious recipe years ago. I’ve made it ever since for family and friends, and they all love it. My daughter loves to take leftovers to school for lunch the next day. —Marie Wielgus, Wayne, New Jersey

25 minutes4 servings363 kcal
Cuban Mojo Pork Recipe

Cuban Mojo Pork Recipe

A traditional Cuban roasted pork recipe that is very simple, yet packed with tons of flavor! There is nothing to this pork except an amazing marinade, but it is honestly some of the best meat I’ve ever put in my mouth. Just look at that crust!

2.2 hours
Mexican Picadillo

Mexican Picadillo

Mexican Picadillo. This quick and easy dinner recipe comes together with minimal ingredients. Ground beef and potatoes are simmered in a tomato sauce. Serve this dish up with some rice and fresh flour tortillas for a complete meal.

Mexican Picadillo

Mexican Picadillo

An easy and flavorful Mexican picadillo made from ground beef and potatoes cooked in homemade tomato sauce. The best weeknight meal!

45 minutes207 kcal
Cuban Sliders

Cuban Sliders

Cuban Sliders with soft Hawaiian rolls, packed with gooey Swiss cheese, delicious shredded pork, savory ham, and crunchy dill pickles.

40 minutes12 servings
Slow-Cooker Picadillo

Slow-Cooker Picadillo

This is a simple, slow-cooker version of picadillo, a beloved comfort food popular across the Caribbean and Latin America. (“Picadillo” roughly translates as “mince,” referring to the use of ground meat.) Its deep flavor comes from sautéed aromatics and tomatoes, simmered gently with ground beef and spices. Raisins and green olives give this Cuban-inspired version its distinctive sweet-salty-tangy pop, and here, they are added toward the end of the long cooking time so they retain their intensity. Picadillo is traditionally served with beans and rice, but you could also scoop it up with tortillas, or use it as a filling for empanadas or enchiladas. Some versions of picadillo include slivered almonds, so feel free to stir in about 1/4 cup of slivered almonds just before serving, or sprinkle them on top as a finishing touch.

5.5 hours

Ratings & Reviews

0.0/ 5
Exceptional

Based on 162 ratings

skinnytaste.com
4.8(162 reviews)
View original recipe

Rating Breakdown

About this Recipe

Craving the rich, savory flavors of a classic Cuban dish but short on time? This family-favorite Cuban Picadillo recipe delivers authentic taste with surprising ease, perfect for any weeknight meal. It's a culinary journey that brings the vibrant spirit of Cuban home cooking straight to your kitchen, all without an extensive ingredient list or complicated steps.

What makes this recipe a go-to in our kitchen is its incredible simplicity and speed. Using readily available, fresh ingredients, it comes together quickly, offering a deeply satisfying meal that’s so good, you’ll find yourself making extra just for the joy of delicious leftovers. This straightforward approach allows the bold, traditional flavors to shine without unnecessary fuss, ensuring a consistently delightful outcome every time.

Prepare your senses for a truly inviting and aromatic experience. As it simmers, the kitchen will fill with the enticing fragrance of sautéed garlic, sweet onion, and fresh cilantro mingling with the savory depth of ground beef. Upon tasting, you'll discover a harmonious balance of flavors: tender, well-seasoned ground beef forms the comforting base, perfectly complemented by the subtle sweetness of chopped fresh tomato and bell pepper. The richness of the tomato sauce binds it all together, while the distinctive earthy notes of cumin and the bright, briny pop of green olives or alcaparrado add layers of authentic Cuban character. The texture is hearty yet yielding, making each spoonful a satisfying and deeply flavorful journey that evokes the warmth of a homemade meal.

This picadillo is wonderfully versatile, allowing for simple tweaks to suit your pantry or preference. While pitted green olives offer a classic briny punch, you can easily use alcaparrado for a slightly different, equally delightful twist. If neither are on hand, a couple of tablespoons of capers can provide a similar briny, tangy element that complements the savory beef beautifully.

Serve this flavorful Cuban Picadillo with fluffy white rice for a traditional pairing, or alongside warm tortillas for a comforting and hearty meal. It's an ideal dish for a casual family dinner or a relaxed gathering with friends.

Frequently Asked Questions