Ground Beef Picadillo Recipe

Picadillo is a Latin American ground beef dish cooked and seasoned to perfection with spices and aromatic vegetables.

There are different versions of this recipe in every country and within each country ingredients vary from one region to the other.

What is Picadillo

The literal translation of Picadillo is "minced meat". In Spanish "picar" means to mince.

Picadillo is simply ground beef seasoned with spices and aromatic vegetables like onion and red peppers.

Some Picadillos include potatoes, raisins and olives. This recipe is easy to customize and adapt to your taste.

I have a special place in my heart for this recipe because my dad used to cook this all the time. It was one of his favorite dishes.

Why you'll love this recipe

1. Picadillo is easy to make; 30 minutes is all you need so it's perfect for busy weeknights! 
2. It's made with simple, every-day ingredients.
3. This recipe is so flavorful and you can spice it up as much or as little as you want.
4. Leftovers taste even better!
5. Freezer friendly.

Ingredients

• Ground meat: I like to use lean beef for this recipe but feel free to use any fat ratio you prefer. You could also substitute the ground beef for ground chicken or turkey as an alternative.
• Onion: I like to use vidalia onions because of their  mild and sweet taste.
• Red bell peppers: With the onions, peppers are the base of the sofrito that gives Picadillo it's characteristic flavor.
• Green olives: I like using Castelvestrano olives because they are milder than the Spanish olives.
• Paprika: Helps adding color and a smokey flavor.
• Cumin: Adds a layer of warmth and flavor to the beef.
• Salt and pepper: To bring all the ingredients together and amplify the flavors.
• Chicken/beef broth: Helps keep the meat moist and juicy.

Kitchen Tools

For this Picadillo recipe you don't need anything special.

A good non-stick frying pan is perfect for the job.

For the prep, I like to have small bowls that hold about ½ cup chopped vegetables to have everything ready and handy.

A meat chopper is a nice-to-have tool that makes the job easier. It breaks apart the ground beef into small chunks. It is easier than a wooden spoon.

How to make Picadillo

Making this ground beef dinner is fairly simple. All you need to do is have all your ingredients chopped and measured before you start cooking.

Start by adding the ground beef to a skillet. I like to use a meat chopper wand to break the beef into small chunks.

At this point I like to add salt and pepper and cook the beef over medium-high heat.

Then I add the onion and peppers and allow them to release their aroma and cook along with the beef.

I add the cumin and paprika as well to give more depth of flavor and color.

I let the beef cook until it is uniform in color and the vegetables are soft. The last thing I add is the chopped olives.

What to serve with Picadillo

The best part about about this easy ground beef recipe is that is so easy to serve and goes well with many other dishes.

In Latin America, we usually serve Picadillo over a pile of mashed potatoes, white rice and beans, fried sweet plantains or yucca frita.

Picadillo is also a great base for dishes like empanadas, Puerto Rican Pastelon and even tacos!

There are so many possibilities when it comes to serving Picadillo!

Expert tips

Picadillo is a great ground beef recipe that feeds a crowd.

You can stretch the beef by adding cooked dice potatoes and doubling down the onions and peppers.

I like to brown the beef with the salt, spices and veggies together so they all develop flavor as they cook.

Check your seasoning. As the beef simmers, check the salt level and correct the seasoning if needed.

My Picadillo is too salty! If you are using olives, you will need to account for the salt in them or rinse them before you add them to the beef.

That is why I like Castelvestrano olives, they are not too salty or briny. I actually find them mild and sweet in taste.

Storage and Reheating

Picadillo leftovers keep really well in the fridge stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

This recipe freezes well and can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat as needed (instructions below).

This a great make-ahead recipe!

Whether you decide to start the prep early by chopping all the vegetables in advance or cook the entire dish ahead of time, Picadillo reheats really well.

To reheat the beef, add it to a skillet with a splash of chicken broth and simmer on low for 4-5 minutes until heated thru.

You can also reheat it in the microwave. Do it in 30 second intervals and stir well until heated thru.