Beef Picadillo is a savory meal of ground beef and veggies simmered in a tomato sauce. Perfect for the whole family, make Picadillo tonight.

Bursting with flavor, this dish is filling and hearty. A traditional meal in many Latin countries and even in the Philippines, this is a whole meal in one skillet.

This recipe is the Cuban version of the classic and includes raisins, capers, and green olives for a unique combination of sweet, salty, and tangy.

Serve over rice, alongside black beans, or even with a side of biscuits. Try this recipe in Ground Beef Tostadas. However you serve it, you really can’t go wrong with this dinner. 

Ingredients for Beef Picadillo

*For a complete list of ingredients, see the recipe card below

• Ground Beef – This kind of meat gives you the authentic flavor you’re looking for.
  
• Veggies – There are many variations of picadillo out there with many different vegetables included, but I prefer to use carrots and potatoes in mine.
   
• Green Olives and Capers – I love to include green olives and capers in the dinner for the briney zing of flavor they add.
  
• Raisins – Unique to this specific recipe variation, raisins add a touch of sweetness to the other savory ingredients creating the perfect balance of flavor.

Making Cuban Picadillo

1. Brown the beef

You’ll cook this on medium-high heat and add all those great seasonings.

2. Make the Sauce

Easier than you might expect, this sauce is really made by simply adding onion, garlic, and the tomato paste, and sauce to your meat mixture. Simmer it all together for a little while and start to smell that wonderful aroma.

3. Simmer the Vegetables

You’ll add your chopped vegetables to the sauce and meat mixture and simmer until the veggies are cooked but not mushy. This takes about 20 minutes.

 Try to make sure the carrots and potatoes are chopped to roughly the same size so they cook at the same rate. 

*Note: keep an eye on the pot while it simmers. You may need to add some water if the mixture gets too thick. This will also keep your dinner from scorching.

4. Enjoy over cooked rice or with your favorite side!

Variations of this Classic

Cuban 

This is the version of this that I’m giving you today. It is a hearty combination of sweet, savory, and tangy. The dash of cloves warms up the flavor without raising the heat. Cuban cuisine is all about flavor and you won’t ever find chili peppers in a Cuban picadillo.

Mexican 

Smoky, spicy, and sometimes with a hint of sweetness, the Mexican version often includes much more heat than its Cuban cousin. Guajillo chiles, jalapeños and even seafood are sometimes found in this rendition of the dish.

Serving Suggestions

• Rice – This is traditionally served over rice. Try it with Cilantro Lime Rice or quinoa, cauliflower rice, or spaghetti squash.
  
• Empanadas – If you leave the potatoes out, this makes a wonderful filling for empanadas.
  
• Tacos – Fill your warmed tortilla with this meat mixture, some black or pinto beans, and your favorite toppings such as cilantro, lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado.
  
• Chips – You can use this meat mixture as a topping for nachos or a dip for your favorite tortilla chips.
  
• Sloppy Joe – Top some buns or rolls with this savory, sweet, and tangy meat mixture and you’ll be delighted by a new take on the old sloppy joe classic.
  
• With Eggs – This dish goes great with fried eggs. Place an egg on top of a bowl of this stuff and dig in!
  
• The Day After – This makes wonderful leftovers. If anything this meal is better the next day after the flavors have melded even more.  
  
• In the Months to Come – Double the batch and freeze leftovers for future meals. It will be good in the freezer for up to 3 months.