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    Posted In: Cuban Recipes, Delish, Main Entrees
    December 1, 2019 — Updated January 14, 2020 — by Julie — 2 Comments

    Home » Delish » Main Entrees » Picadillo

    Picadillo

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    Picadillo is one of my favorite Cuban recipes! Made with onions, peppers, olives, raisins, and spices in under 40 minutes!

    Cuban picadillo with rice on a black plate

     

    This easy Cuban picadillo recipe is one of my all-time favorites. In other words, I love easy Cuban recipes. Olives and raisins are completely optional.

    Vino Seco is a must when making this recipe. Although, any type of dry white wine works for this recipe.

    If you enjoy small fried potatoes in your picadillo then check out this delicious picadillo con papas.

    Traditionally Cuban picadillo is seasoned to perfection and very easy to make. Serve over white rice and Cuban black beans.

    If you’d like to make this a low carb and keto-friendly recipe, omit the raisins. Serve this over a salad or with a side of steamed vegetables for a complete low carb meal.

    What is picadillo?

    Cuban picadillo is ground beef traditionally seasoned a bunch of spices and tomato sauce. Olives and raisins are optional.

     

    Can I swap out the ground beef for any other type of meat?

    Absolutely. You may use ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground veal.

     

    Ingredients you’ll need: 

    • Ground Beef
    • Onions
    • Green Bell Pepper
    • Garlic
    • Cumin
    • Oregano
    • Bay Leaf
    • Vino Seco (dry white wine)
    • Tomato Sauce
    • Raisins
    • Olives
    • Adobo
    • Salt and Pepper

     

    twelve ingredients in small bowls on a wooden board

    How to make Cuban picadillo:

    This recipe is extremely easy to make, here’s all you have to do:

    1. Heat some oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the onions and peppers for 2-3 minutes or until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant.

     

    onions and peppers in a large skillet

     

    2. Add the ground beef and brown completely. Once the beef is completely browned, add the tomato sauce, dry white wine, cumin, oregano, adobo, salt, pepper, bay leaf, olives, and raisins. Cover, reduce the heat to low and cook for 20 minutes.

     

    onions, peppers, and ground beef in a skillet with a spoon

     

    3. Check for seasoning and discard the bay leaf. Serve immediately and enjoy!

     

    cooked picadillo in a skillet

     

    Tip: For Cuban picadillo, you’ll want to use an 85/15 or 80/20 ground beef fat ratio. Authentic Cuban picadillo is usually on the greasy side. If you would like to make it a little healthier, use ground turkey or lean ground beef.

     

    picadillo Cubano with white rice on a plate

     

    More Delicious Cuban Recipes You’ll Enjoy: 

    • Ropa Vieja
    • Instant Pot Arroz con Leche
    • Fricase de pollo
    • Cuban Carne con Papa
    ground beef over white rice on top of a white plate

    Picadillo

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Course: Main Dish
    Cuisine: Cuban
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
    1 hour: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 481kcal
    Author: Julie Maestre
    Cuban Picadillo simmered in white wine, tomato sauce, and spices.

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb ground beef
    • 3 tbsp oil
    • 1 small onion
    • 1 green pepper
    • 3 garlic cloves
    • 1 tsp cumin
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 1/4 cup dry white wine
    • 8 oz tomato sauce
    • 1/4 cup raisins
    • 1/2 cup olives
    • 1 tsp Adobo Goya optional
    • 1/2 tso oregano
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • In a large skillet, heat up some olive oil over medium-high heat.
    • Add the onions and peppers, and cook for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional 15 seconds.
    • Add the beef and cook until browned
    • Add the dry white wine, cumin, bay leaf, tomato sauce, raisins, olives, salt, pepper, Adobo, and oregano.
    • Reduce the heat to low, cover slightly, and simmer for 20 minutes or until the beef is fork-tender.
    • Discard the bay leaves and serve immediately.

    Notes

    • If you're not a fan of olives, use capers or omit them altogether. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4g | Calories: 481kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 642mg | Potassium: 689mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 422IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cookedbyjulie or tag #cookedbyjulie!

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    Filed Under: Cuban Recipes, Delish, Main Entrees

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Debbi says

      December 12, 2020 at 10:21 am

      Thankyou for these recipes, I love them.

      Reply
      • Julie says

        January 24, 2021 at 3:52 pm

        So glad you’re enjoying them, Debbi!

        Reply

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