Easy Weeknight Picadillo Recipe (2024)

5 from 8 votes

(updated August 26, 2021) by Danielle Esposti

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This classic Picadillo Recipe is a comforting combination of seasoned ground beef, spicy tomato sauce, sweet raisins, and briny olives. The flavors meld into an irresistible hash that’s ready in just 35 minutes. You’ll be scrambling to make this weeknight comfort food as often as your family will allow!

Easy Weeknight Picadillo Recipe (1)
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  • How to Make this Easy Weeknight Picadillo Recipe
  • Dietary Accommodations, Variations, and Storage
  • More Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipes
  • Recipe

Picadillo is to Latin American cuisine as Sloppy Joes are to American cuisine – cozy, comforting, and ready in a flash. But truthfully? Picadillo is way better. So. Much. Better.

Picadillo is a ground beef hash-style recipe made with tomatoes, raisins, and olives. I know, I know, it sounds a little…weird. But trust that weird is so good! The sweet juicy raisins and briny olives are the perfect contrast to each other folded into seasoned beef simmered with tomatoes and warming spices. It’s truly a recipe you need to taste to believe.

Easy Weeknight Picadillo Recipe (2)

The best part is that you can become a believer in just 35 minutes, and this recipe is made using 90% pantry stash ingredients. It’s the flavor-packed, economical dinner recipe you need in your rotation. Can I get a huzzah?!?

How to Make this Easy Weeknight Picadillo Recipe

Like most homestyle comfort foods, there are a million and one ways to make picadillo. Some call for oven roasted tomatoes, some call for a sofrito base, some add capers or chili powder. I’ve adapted this picadillo recipe from several variations over the years into a fast and kid-friendly weeknight dinner that my family loves. I keep the prep time low by blending a spicy tomato sauce using canned fire-roasted tomatoes. They’re a quick way to add depth and flavor without any extra work.

Easy Weeknight Picadillo Recipe (3)

Make the spicy tomato sauce. In a blender, combine a quartered medium onion, three smashed garlic cloves, a chopped jalapeno, and a 14.5-oz can of fire roasted tomatoes. Blend on high until the vegetables are pulverized and the sauce is smooth.

Add extra kick to your sauce by keeping all or most of the jalapeno seeds. My kids can’t handle the heat, so I leave most of them out.

Easy Weeknight Picadillo Recipe (4)

Brown and season the beef. Heat a dutch oven over medium high heat, add a splash of olive oil and a pound of ground beef, and cook until the beef is no longer pink. Break up the beef into small pieces using a wooden spoon.

Once browned, add seasoning (cumin, oregano, a pinch of cinnamon, salt and pepper) for flavor and tomato paste for depth. You’ll also add a quarter cup of raisins in this step, which will become plump and juicy as the picadillo simmers. The raisins and olives are an unexpected but outstanding combo, so don’t skimp or skip!

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Add the tomato sauce and simmer. Pour the tomato sauce into the ground beef, and give everything a good stir. Top with a bay leaf, then cover and simmer until the sauce turns deep red and the aroma makes you salivate (about 20 minutes).

Easy Weeknight Picadillo Recipe (6)

Add the olives and olive brine. Last step! Toss in a handful of pimento-stuffed olives and a tablespoon or two of olive brine. Start with one tablespoon of brine, taste the picadillo, then add more if you feel it needs more pucker. You’re looking for a nice balance of sweet, sour, and spice between the raisins, olives, and beef.

Easy Weeknight Picadillo Recipe (7)

Garnish and serve. Serve this picadillo recipe over white rice, or cauliflower rice to keep it Whole30 or low carb. Garnish with cilantro to bring another bright, herby layer to this complex, but oh-so-easy, weeknight dinner.

You can also stuff picadillo into empanadas or tortillas, or serve for breakfast with a fried egg. Double-duty leftovers are the best!

Dietary Accommodations, Variations, and Storage

  • Naturally Whole30 and paleo
  • Low carb, with 22g net carbs per serving; make it lower carb by reducing the raisins to 2 tbsp (but don’t go any lower than this)
  • If you can’t source sugar-free raisins, substitute 3-4 chopped dates to keep it Whole30
  • Gluten free, dairy free, nut free, and soy free
  • Picadillo keeps in the fridge in a tightly sealed container for up to 5 days.
  • Freeze this recipe by stopping the preparation after you’ve completely Step 4. Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost, then gently reheat over medium high heat and add the olives and brine before serving.

More Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipes

  • Bulgogi Korean Beef BBQ
  • Whole30 Steak Bites with Sweet Potatoes and Peppers
  • Juicy Thick Cut Pork Chops with Apple Jicama Slaw
  • Steak Fajita Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette
  • Easy Weeknight Pulled Pork Ragu
Easy Weeknight Picadillo Recipe (8)

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Recipe

Easy Weeknight Picadillo Recipe (9)

Easy Weeknight Picadillo Recipe

5 from 8 votes

Author: Danielle Esposti

Print RecipeRate this RecipePin Recipe

Like most homestyle comfort foods, there are a million and one ways to make picadillo. Some call for oven roasted tomatoes, some call for a sofrito base, some add capers or chili powder. I’ve adapted this picadillo recipe from several variations over the years into a fast and kid-friendly weeknight dinner that my family loves. I keep the prep time low by blending a spicy tomato sauce using canned fire-roasted tomatoes. They’re a quick way to add depth and flavor without any extra work.

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 35 minutes mins

Servings : 4

Calories: 385

Recommended Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 medium onion, peeled and quartered
  • 1 14.5-oz can fire roasted tomatoes
  • 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • ¼ c raisins
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp oregano
  • pinch cinnamon
  • 1 tsp sea or kosher salt
  • 1 tsp cracked black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • c pimento-stuffed green olives
  • 1-2 tbsp olive brine
  • chopped cilantro, to taste

Instructions

  • Place the onion, tomatoes, jalapeno, garlic, and apple cider vinegar in a blender. Blend on high until pulverized and smooth.

  • Heat a dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the olive oil and heat until shimmering. Add the beef and cook until no longer pink, breaking into small pieces with a wooden spoon, 4-5 minuets.

  • Add the raisins, tomato paste, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir until the tomato paste and seasonings are incorporated into the beef.

  • Pour in the tomato puree, add the bay leaf, and stir. Cover, reduce heat to medium and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the bottom of the pot from scorching.

  • Stir in the olives and 1-2 tbsp olive brine. Simmer until the olives are heated through, 2-3 additional minutes.

  • Serve over rice or cauliflower rice and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro.

Notes

  • The picadillo isn’t overly spicy as written. To add heat, keep some of the jalapeno seeds and/or add ½ – 1 tsp chili powder in step 3.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 385kcal (19%), Carbohydrates: 27g (9%), Protein: 26g (52%), Fat: 18g (28%), Saturated Fat: 5g (25%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 71mg (24%), Sodium: 1051mg (44%), Potassium: 536mg (15%), Fiber: 5g (20%), Sugar: 19g (21%), Vitamin A: 300% (300%), Vitamin C: 13.2% (13%), Calcium: 70% (70%), Iron: 4.7% (5%)

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Easy Weeknight Picadillo Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Mexican and Cuban picadillo? ›

What is the difference between Mexican and Cuban Picadillo? Two of the most common styles you'll see are Mexican picadillo, like this recipe, and Cuban picadillo. The Cuban variety has the addition of raisins, capers, and green olives, whereas the Mexican version includes potatoes and packs a bit more heat.

What is picadillo sauce made of? ›

The most basic and popular set of ingredients of picadillo in Mexico are ground beef, carrots and potatoes, all cooked in a tomato sauce made from blended tomatoes, garlic and onion, usually seasoned with salt, pepper, and cumin but its preparation and ingredients can vary slightly from one region to another.

What is picadillo called in English? ›

Well, the literal translation of picadillo in English is “all chopped up.” Picado in Spanish means “chopped.” The potatoes, egg and meat are all chopped up, too. A lot of different countries make renditions of a picadillo. Colombians put it in empanadas.

What is the difference between picadillo and giniling? ›

2 Giniling is made with ground pork and picadillo with ground beef. It's no secret that Filipinos love pork, so it's not surprising to know that the meat commonly used for giniling is ground pork. The picadillo meanwhile is commonly made with ground beef.

How do Mexican restaurants get their ground beef so fine? ›

Put the ground chuck in a large pot or Dutch oven and add seasonings. Add just enough water to cover the meat, bring to a boil, then reduce and simmer for about an hour. Every 15 minutes or so break up the meat with a large spoon or a potato masher so that it isn't lumpy.

What's the difference between ropa vieja and picadillo? ›

My two standbys were picadillo (made of chopped meat) and ropa vieja (using shredded meat - and meaning "old clothes").

What do you eat picadillo with? ›

For a Mexican-style picadillo, rice on the side would be just fine, as would rice and beans, but you may also feel free to serve it alongside tortillas, either corn or flour.

Who puts raisins in picadillo? ›

Picadillo is one of the great dishes of the Cuban diaspora: a soft, fragrant stew of ground beef and tomatoes, with raisins added for sweetness and olives for salt.

What is picadillo de papa made of? ›

This Latin American hash is traditionally made with savory, saucy meat and vegetables served over rice; but the Costa Rican version includes potatoes (papas) and toasted tortillas on the side for wrapping. As with any picadillo, it all starts with an aromatic sofrito of sautéed garlic, bell pepper, and onion.

What is a picadillo slang? ›

, plural pec·ca·dil·loes, pec·ca·dil·los. a very minor or slight sin or offense; a trifling fault. Synonyms: indiscretion, faux pas, slip, lapse.

What countries eat picadillo? ›

Picadillo is seasoned minced or ground meat - typically beef, pork or a combination - traditional in Portugal, Spain, Mexico, Cuba, the Caribbean, Brazil, Venezuela, Costa Rica and the Philippines. Each country has its own versions, some spicy, some mild, some with sweet as well as savory ingredients.

What is Cuban picadillo made of? ›

Picadillo is a Cuban-style hash made with ground pork, ground beef, or a combination of both. While simple to make, this classic Cuban dish is extremely flavorful. It begins with a sofrito of finely chopped onion, red bell pepper, and garlic.

What is the difference between Mexican picadillo and Filipino picadillo? ›

In Mexican Picadillo, they uses spices like chili powder, oregano, and cumin. In Filipino Picadillo, they uses soy sauce and fish sauce for flavorings. Both uses tomato paste or tomato sauce, but every Latin country has given its own twist to this popular dish.

Why is picadillo popular? ›

Cuban Picadillo is a savory and delicious dish beloved in many Latin American and Spanish-speaking countries. It is a versatile recipe that can be served as a main dish or as a filling for various dishes such as empanadas, tacos, and tamales.

What is the difference between Cuban and Mexican? ›

Mexicans have a lot of Native American influences due to the large population that remained in Mexico after the Spanish conquest. Cuba did not have that much influence. The number of European in comparison to Natives were and are very different. Cuba had a huge plantation economy and imported many slaves.

How does Cuban food compare to Mexican food? ›

Unlike Mexican cuisine, Cuban food is not spicy because it's a mix of Spanish, African, and other Caribbean cuisines. Chilies are not even grown in Cuba which is why 'heat' has never really been a key ingredient in Cuban cuisine. Cuban food is not bland though.

Why is picadillo popular in Cuba? ›

Picadillo blends various textures and flavors, like concentrated saltiness and plump sweetness, which meld together seamlessly in a dish that's symbolic of good Cuban home cooking.

What is the difference between ropa vieja and Vaca Frita? ›

The difference lies in the fact that the vaca frita cubana does not have any type of sauce and is fried so that the meat is dry and crispy, while the ropa vieja recipe includes tomato sauce and spicy sauce to achieve a juicy consistency.

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