Cuban picadillo is a delicious and comforting dish that brings together rich flavors and simple ingredients.
This recipe features ground beef cooked with olives, raisins, and spices, making it a perfect choice for a hearty meal any night of the week.
We love how this dish reflects the vibrant culture of Cuba and is enjoyed by many, including families and food lovers everywhere.
As we explore the world and gather recipes, we find that picadillo holds a special place in the hearts of Cuban exiles and their descendants.
With just a few key ingredients like tomato sauce and capers, this dish can easily impress your dinner guests or delight your family. We’ve learned to serve it over rice or with fried plantains for a truly authentic experience.
Join us as we dive into our favorite Cuban picadillo recipe, sharing tips and tricks we’ve picked up during our travels. We can’t wait for you to taste the flavors of Cuba right in your own kitchen!
Why You’ll Love This Cuban Picadillo Recipe
We love Cuban Picadillo for many reasons. First, it is a dish that brings comfort and warmth to any meal.
This recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners. It can be made in less than 30 minutes. That’s a big plus for us when our days are busy.
Customization is another reason we appreciate Cuban Picadillo.
You can easily adjust the ingredients to fit your tastes or dietary needs. Here are some ideas:
- Add more vegetables like carrots or peas.
- Use ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter option.
- Spice it up with your favorite hot sauce.
The mix of flavors in Picadillo is fantastic. The combination of sweet and savory ingredients gives it a unique taste. The use of olives and raisins adds a special touch.
Not to mention, this dish is great for meal prep. We can make a large batch and enjoy leftovers throughout the week.
Finally, Cuban Picadillo is family-friendly. It’s a hit with kids and grown-ups alike. It’s a tasty way to introduce a little cultural flair to our usual dinner routine.
We’re sure you will enjoy this recipe as much as we do!
What Makes This Recipe Special
Cuban Picadillo stands out for its rich combination of flavors and textures. The blend of ground beef, onions, and bell peppers creates a savory foundation that warms the heart.
We love that this recipe includes raisins and green olives. The sweetness from the raisins and the brininess of the olives add a unique twist that surprises and delights our taste buds.
The dish is versatile. We can serve it over rice or use it as a filling for tacos and empanadas. This means we can enjoy it in different ways, making it a hit for family gatherings or casual dinners.
Using simple, fresh ingredients is key. The tomato sauce enriches the flavor while keeping the dish comforting and satisfying. Its humble roots make it perfect for both special occasions and everyday meals.
What really adds to the charm of Picadillo is its cultural significance. It reminds us of the warm hospitality we’ve experienced in Cuba, where food brings people together. Each bite tells a story of tradition and family.
We often find ourselves reminiscing about our travels while enjoying this dish. Picadillo transports us back to vibrant streets and lively dinners, making it a popular recipe in our kitchen.
Cooking Equipment Needed
To make a delicious Cuban Picadillo, we need some basic cooking equipment. Here’s a list of what we recommend:
- Large Skillet or Pan: This is essential for cooking the picadillo. A nonstick skillet works well too.
- Spatula: We use this for stirring and flipping the ingredients as they cook.
- Spoon: A sturdy spoon helps to mix everything evenly.
- Knife and Cutting Board: We need these for chopping onions, bell peppers, and garlic.
- Meat Chopper: This tool helps break up the ground beef while it cooks.
It’s helpful to have all of these items ready before we start cooking.
With the right tools, we can enjoy a smooth cooking process. Each piece of equipment plays a key role in making sure our picadillo turns out flavorful and well-cooked.
When we travel and gather recipes, we’ve found that having good equipment makes a huge difference. It also helps us feel more connected to the dishes we create. Happy cooking!
Cooking Instructions
To make Cuban Picadillo, we start with a few simple steps. Here’s how we do it:
- Heat Oil
In a large skillet, we heat olive oil over medium heat. - Sauté Vegetables
Next, we add onion, green pepper, and cloves of minced garlic. We sauté these until the onion turns translucent, about 2-3 minutes. - Brown the Meat
Then, we add ground beef to the skillet. We break it apart and cook it until it’s nicely browned. - Add Flavors
After that, we mix in tomato paste, cumin, and oregano. We stir everything together and let it cook for another 2 minutes. - Season
We sprinkle in salt and black pepper to taste. Adding a couple of bay leaves enhances the flavor. - Simmer
Finally, we add red wine and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend well. - Serve
We enjoy our Cuban Picadillo hot, often served with rice or on tortillas. It’s a dish that really brings comfort to the table!
Cooking Tips
Making a tasty Cuban Picadillo is fun and rewarding. Here are some tips to help you achieve the best results.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Always choose fresh vegetables like onions, bell peppers, and garlic. This ensures a vibrant flavor.
- Brown the Beef Well: For a rich taste, let the ground beef brown completely before adding other ingredients. This step gives the dish depth.
- Spices Matter: Don’t skimp on spices like cumin and oregano. They bring out the traditional Cuban flavors that we love.
- Wine for Flavor: Adding a bit of dry white wine when cooking can enhance the flavors. Let it reduce a little to concentrate the taste.
- Adjust for Heat: If we like some spice, adding a bit of chopped jalapeño or a dash of hot sauce can boost the flavor.
- Serve with Sides: Cuban Picadillo pairs well with white rice and fried plantains. These make a complete meal and are delicious together.
- Make it Ahead: This dish tastes even better the next day. We often prepare a big batch so we can enjoy it later.
These tips will help us make a delicious Cuban Picadillo.
Ingredients Needed for the Cuban Picadillo Recipe
Olive oil
Onion, chopped
Green bell pepper, chopped
Clove garlic, minced, or more to taste
Lean ground beef
Tomato sauce
Green olives, quartered
Raisins
Capers (Optional)
Sazon seasoning (such as Goya®)
Ground cumin
White sugar
Salt to taste
Instructions For Preparing the Cuban Picadillo Recipe
Sauté the Vegetables
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the onion, bell pepper, and garlic until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Brown the Beef
Add the ground beef to the skillet, cooking and stirring until fully browned and crumbly, about 7 to 10 minutes.
Simmer the Mixture
Stir in tomato sauce, olives, raisins, capers, cumin, sazon seasoning, sugar, and salt. Cover, reduce heat to low, and let simmer until heated through, about 5 to 10 minutes. Enjoy your Cuban Picadillo.
FAQs For the Cuban Picadillo Recipe
Question: What makes a Cuban Picadillo Recipe unique compared to other ground beef dishes?
A: A Cuban Picadillo Recipe is unique because it combines ground beef with olives, raisins, and a rich tomato-based sauce, creating a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors.
Question: Can I make a Cuban Picadillo Recipe ahead of time?
A: Yes, a Cuban Picadillo Recipe can be made ahead of time, and the flavors actually deepen when stored in the refrigerator, making it a great meal-prep option.
Question: What type of meat works best for a Cuban Picadillo Recipe?
A: A Cuban Picadillo Recipe traditionally uses ground beef, but you can also substitute it with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version while maintaining the dish’s signature flavor.
Question: What are the best sides to serve with a Cuban Picadillo Recipe?
A: A Cuban Picadillo Recipe pairs well with white rice, black beans, fried plantains, or even served over mashed potatoes for a comforting meal.
Question: How can I make a Cuban Picadillo Recipe spicier?
A: To add spice to a Cuban Picadillo Recipe, include diced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or a splash of hot sauce while cooking to give it an extra kick.
Cuban Picadillo Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion small chopped
- ½ green bell pepper chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced, or more to taste
- 1 pound ground beef lean
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 6 green olives large pitted quartered
- ½ cup raisins
- 1 tablespoon capers Optional
- 2.82 oz sazon seasoning (such as Goya®)
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- salt to taste
Instructions
Sauté the Vegetables
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the onion, bell pepper, and garlic until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Brown the Beef
- Add the ground beef to the skillet, cooking and stirring until fully browned and crumbly, about 7 to 10 minutes.
Simmer the Mixture
- Stir in tomato sauce, olives, raisins, capers, cumin, sazon seasoning, sugar, and salt. Cover, reduce heat to low, and let simmer until heated through, about 5 to 10 minutes. Enjoy your Cuban Picadillo.
Nutrition
1 comment
This ground beef dish was full of bold flavors! The combination of olives, raisins, and spices gave it a unique taste, and it paired perfectly with white rice. My guests kept commenting on how well-seasoned and satisfying it was—definitely a recipe to make again!