Picadillo

on
Picadillo
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Puerto Rican Picadillo Recipe -- fragrant, flavorful ground beef stew with potatoes, tomatoes, olives and raisins. Easy and no fuss cooking; perfect for lazy weeknight meals or for parties served as stuffing for bell peppers, tacos, burritos, enchiladas and empanadas.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Caribbean
Servings: 
Calories: 400 kcal
Author: Immaculate Bites
Ingredients
  • 2-3 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 -1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon or more cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon or more oregano (adjust to taste
  • 1 small green or red pepper
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 cups potatoes optional
  • 1/2 cup olives chopped
  • 1 green onion diced
  • 1/2 cup or more raisins
  • 1 tablespoon or more cilantro (adjust to taste)
  • 1 packet Sazon to taste or use beef or chicken bouillon
Instructions
  1. Add about 2 tablespoons oil in a skillet followed by onions, garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, oregano, sweat for about a minute.
  2. Then add bell pepper, tomato sauce, bring to a simmer, add ground meat , potatoes (if using potatoes )  and cook for about 7-10 minutes or more , while stirring frequently to prevent burning burn add about broth or water as needed. Until potatoes is soft and tender . 
  3.  Season with salt, chicken bouillon or sazon.
  4. Finally add olives , green onions, raisins, and cilantro, adjust for seasoning. Remove and set aside.
Recipe Notes
  1. Some recipes would call for cooking first the ground beef first until it’s nicely browned. But I’d prefer sauteing garlic and onion first for an added aroma and flavor mixed into the ground beef as it is being cooked.
  2. For the olives, you may experiment with the plain or fancy one. But most people would agree that pimento-stuffed green olives work best on this dish to balance out the strong, salty flavor of olives.
  3. You may also substitute potatoes with chayote depending on your preference.

Nutrition Facts
Picadillo
Amount Per Serving
Calories 400Calories from Fat 144
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 16g25%
Saturated Fat 3g15%
Cholesterol 70mg23%
Sodium 701mg29%
Potassium 1342mg38%
Total Carbohydrates 37g12%
Dietary Fiber 7g28%
Sugars 5g
Protein 29g58%
Vitamin A43.1%
Vitamin C69.4%
Calcium9.4%
Iron47.4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.