Picadillo is a traditional dish made with ground meat (usually beef), tomatoes, onions, and spices, often mixed with ingredients like olives, raisins, potatoes, or peppers depending on the region.
Different countries have their own versions:
- Cuban picadillo: ground beef with tomatoes, green olives, raisins, cumin, and sometimes capers.
- Mexican picadillo: often includes potatoes, carrots, and peppers.
- Filipino picadillo: lighter and sometimes soupier, with potatoes and carrots.
- Spanish picadillo: more of a seasoned minced meat preparation.
It’s commonly served with rice, tortillas, or used as filling for empanadas and tacos.
Simple Cuban-Style Picadillo Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- ½ cup green olives
- ¼ cup raisins (optional)
- Salt & pepper
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Sauté onion and pepper in olive oil until soft.
- Add garlic and ground beef; cook until browned.
- Stir in tomato sauce, cumin, oregano, olives, and raisins.
- Simmer 10–15 minutes.
- Serve over rice.
