Picadillo Recipe

This easy Picadillo recipe is a hearty, flavor-packed ground beef dinner made with tender onions, bell peppers, savory tomato sauce, and briny olives for a classic Cuban-inspired comfort meal. Ready with simple pantry ingredients, it’s a budget-friendly weeknight dinner that’s both filling and family-friendly. The combination of cumin, olives, and a splash of cherry juice or red wine adds incredible depth of flavor while the beef simmers to perfection. Serve this homemade picadillo over fluffy white rice with a fresh salad or crusty bread for an easy meal everyone will love.

Picadillo

This easy Picadillo recipe is a hearty, flavor-packed ground beef dinner made with tender onions, bell peppers, savory tomato sauce, and briny olives for a classic Cuban-inspired comfort meal. Ready with simple pantry ingredients, it's a budget-friendly weeknight dinner that's both filling and family-friendly.

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Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 6 -8

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Cuban

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1-2 bell peppers, chopped
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp cumin
• 8 oz can tomato sauce (or 2 tbsp tomato paste)
• 1 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups olives, chopped – I buy an olive medley but use your favorite or a mix of any you like!
• 2 tbsp brine from olives
• 1/2 cup tart cherry juice or red wine- optional

Method

 

1. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the beef, breaking it apart as it cooks. Add in onion and bell pepper and cook until they begin to soften. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cumin. Stir to combine.
2. Pour in the tomato sauce, water, olives, brine, and if using, cherry juice or wine. Bring to a simmer and simmer with lid on for about 20 minutes. Serve over rice with a salad or some crusty bread on the side.