Cuban Picadillo Recipe (Genuine and Scrumptious)

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This Cuban Picadillo recipe consists of flavorful floor beef, spices, inexperienced olives, boiled egg and raisins cooked in a scrumptious tomato sauce, after which served over a mattress of rice. That is the perfect weeknight meal as a result of it may be made in below half-hour!

Picadillo in pot with tostones in background.

I grew up consuming renditions of this dish. Once I was a teeny child, my mom would make picadillo and it’d merely be fried diced potato with floor beef over rice.

Each couple of years, as I bought older, the recipe’s identification advanced from loopy plain to what you see now. I suppose you could possibly say I went from tremendous choosy, ache within the butt eater to regular human, and this recipe was alongside for the rides.

Why this recipe for Picadillo is particular!

Simple! That is the proper weeknight recipe.
One-pan recipe. When you’re searching for one thing that doesn’t create a bunch of mess, that is it!
Versatile. If you wish to use floor hen, meat substitute or floor bison, this recipe is ideal for swap-ins.

What ACK Readers are Saying About This Recipe:

“That is superb! It’s a part of the rotation. I make this for my omni dad and mom however with not possible! It’s at all times successful.” – Katie

“It was my first time making Picadillo and this was scrumptious! The spices work completely and the raisins give an incredible trace of sweetness.” -Crystal

What’s Picadillo?

Nicely, the literal translation of picadillo in English is “all chopped up.” The potatoes, egg and meat are all chopped up, too. Many international locations make their renditions of a picadillo: Colombians put it in empanadas, Peruvians put it in papa rellenas, Puerto Ricans put it in empanadas and alcapurria. The model you see right here is Cuban-style Picadillo. I LOVE Cuban meals (Ropa Vieja and Lechon Asado are my private favorites).

Components You’ll Want for Picadillo

Potatoes – This dish consists of starting with pan-frying cubed up potato. If I’m on a little bit of a well being kick, I’ll skip it completely OR use candy potato.
Onion, bell pepper and garlic – The sofrito is important to start this recipe.
Floor Beef – I like utilizing 85%/15% for optimum taste. However be at liberty to make use of 90%/10% if you happen to’re wanting one thing a bit leaner.
Spices – I like including paprika, cumin, coriander and bay leaves for a flavorful picadillo. The mix of flavors is just like my Selfmade Taco Seasoning that I take advantage of for my Floor Beef Tacos.
Inexperienced Olives – You’ll be able to slice these or add them complete – your name!
Tomato paste – This thickens all the pieces up and makes it good and shiny.

For the remainder of the ingredient checklist, please check with the recipe index card beneath!

Variations for this recipe

Use totally different floor meat. I like bison for this recipe.
Pass over the add-ins. I’ve had this with out raisins, egg and have subbed in several briny issues like capers. All scrumptious.
Make this recipe forward. This makes scrumptious leftovers. I like making this the day forward and protecting it within the fridge in an hermetic container.

Recipe FAQs

How is Cuban-style picadillo totally different than Mexican-style picadillo?

The feel and sauce are very totally different. Mexican picadillo is a little bit candy, whereas Cuban picadillo is extra briny and tart (because of the added olives and crimson wine vinegar).

Can I take advantage of one other meat for this picadillo?

Sure, completely. I’ve made this with floor bison with superb outcomes. I’ve used floor hen with stable outcomes (not stellar lol). I’d suggest utilizing floor darkish hen meat vs. floor white hen meat. You would additionally use a vegan floor meat various. I’ve by no means tried floor lamb however I guess it might be good too.

Picadillo in pan with tostones on the side.

What to Serve with Picadillo

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In a big sauté pan, set over medium warmth, add the oil. When scorching, add the diced russet potato and prepare dinner till crispy on each side, about 5 to 7 minutes. Utilizing a slotted spoon, take away the potatoes from the pan and switch to a sheet of paper towels or on prime of a clear kitchen towel to empty.
In the identical giant sauté pan, add extra oil, if wanted. Add the onion, crimson bell pepper and garlic; prepare dinner till softened about 5 minutes. Add the meat and break up with a big spoon till it’s into crumbled floor beef. Add the salt and spices and provides it a combination. Subsequent, add the tomato paste, broth and golden raisins. Combine till all mixed. Cowl and prepare dinner for about quarter-hour, we actually need the flavors to mix and marry.
Lastly, combine within the crimson wine vinegar, crispy potatoes and diced boiled egg. Give it a style and alter the salt in keeping with your liking. Serve alongside rice and tostones or maduros.

Ideas and Tips:

Various Variations: Like I stated within the weblog publish, I’ve had this quite a few methods, leaving issues out if I don’t have them. When you don’t just like the egg, go away it out! When you don’t have raisins, go away it out.
If you wish to make this very Keto and Complete 30, make it with candy potatoes vs. common potatoes. This recipe may be very versatile.