Picadillo is a quick and easy Cuban dish that traditionally uses ground beef, raisins, onions, olives, and tomatoes. And here's what I love about it...you can vary this however you want or use what you have on hand.
You can use another ground protein source such as ground turkey or chicken, or even tofu, depending on your taste and what you have around. I have 2 photos, one using ground beef, and another using ground chicken. Whatever you choose, this recipe is flexible enough to withstand ingredient alterations, if you get my drift. Out of cilantro? It will still taste delicious.
Picadillo goes great in tacos, wraps, sandwich rolls, on top of cauliflower rice, roasted veggies, or by itself with a spoonful of yogurt on top and a bed of lettuce or veggies below. Totally up to you! So here's another quick and easy recipe for your repertoire. Enjoy!
Picadillo {quick & easy}
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or other oil
- ½ cup yellow onion chopped
- 2 tomatoes chopped
- 1 bell pepper or Jalapeño chopped, optional
- ¼ cup raisins or more if you love raisins as much as I do
- ¼ teaspoon salt and a bit more if needed for flavor (to your taste)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ¼ cup olives green or other kind, pitted
- 1 garlic clove peeled and chopped
- 1.5 pounds ground meat chicken, beef, turkey or other
- 2 cups tomato sauce plain
- 1 handful cilantro leaves optional, or other greens such as spinach or parsley
Instructions
- Heat a large saucepan or frying pan on medium heat.
- Add the oil and move it around to coat the bottom of the pan.
- Add the onion, pepper, and tomatoes, and cook for a few minutes.
- Add the garlic, salt, and cumin and cook for another minute or so.
- Add the ground beef and brown for a few minutes, separating as it cooks.
- Add tomato sauce and greens and cook for another 5 minutes or so. Add more salt to taste.
- Serve hot and refrigerator or freeze leftovers.
Nutrition
Claire Patty says
My Mom had been in the hospital for the past few days because of a severe migraine, so I've been the woman of the house while she's been gone! I am always on the hunt for easy recipes that are versatile and can feed the family when Mom is gone. Thank you so much for this recipe! It was great! I made it in the morning, and plan on taking it along with some corn tortillas to a gluten-laiden birthday party, so that I have something to eat. I'm so thankful for bloggers like you who help me when I'm in a pinch or don't have time to be the "mom" of the house! This recipe is delicious and super easy. It'll be a staple for times when my mom is gone from now on. 🙂
Claire
Erica says
Claire - you're amazing! I hope that your mom finds the source of her pain soon. So glad I can help. Best wishes, Erica
Erica says
Judy, you're making me hungry 🙂
judy says
thanks! this is really good. i made it 1st with (organic) ground turkey, whole jalapeno + an anaheim chili-ate it on lettuce w/ torts on the side. it was perfect on a drizzly evening. tomorrow, we'll have leftovers mixed with spaghetti, or in chicken broth for a soup?