Description
Savor Cuban Picadillo, a hearty ground beef dish that dances with olives, raisins, and robust spices. Rich flavors and authentic ingredients blend seamlessly, inviting you to explore the soul of Cuban home cooking with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Aromatics and Vegetables:
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup green olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1 tablespoon capers
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 packet sazon seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Warm a large skillet on medium heat, drizzling olive oil to coat the bottom evenly.
- Sauté diced onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic, stirring constantly until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into small crumbles and cooking until the meat turns completely brown and loses its raw appearance, around 8-9 minutes.
- Incorporate tomato sauce, sliced olives, plump raisins, briny capers, aromatic cumin, sazon seasoning, a touch of sugar, and a pinch of salt, creating a complex flavor profile.
- Lower the heat, cover the skillet, and allow the mixture to gently simmer and meld together, developing rich flavors for 7-8 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let the picadillo rest for a moment to allow flavors to intensify.
- Serve piping hot over fluffy white rice, or use as a versatile filling for crispy tacos or golden empanadas.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting the amount of spices or adding chili flakes for extra kick.
- Replace ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for lighter, healthier versions that maintain authentic flavors.
- Add extra texture by toasting raisins and olives briefly before mixing into the meat for enhanced depth and caramelized sweetness.
- Prepare ahead by storing in airtight containers, as flavors develop and intensify when refrigerated overnight, making next-day reheating even more delicious.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cuban
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg